Handfasting Ritual
   Officiated by couple

Set up altar

Unity Candle, taper candles to light unity candle,  sage & feather fan for east, altar candle for south, chalice of moon water for west, rose quartz heart for north, Athame for casting circle, rings, cord

Cast Circle

    (mark borders of Circle with Athame)
I hereby mark and define our Sacred Space. May only love be found herein.

    (asperse Circle with Water)
I hereby cleanse this Sacred Space. May only love be found herein.

    (smudge Circle with Sage)
I hereby purify this Sacred Space. May only love be found herein.

The Circle is cast. So Mote It Be.

Call Quarters

    (call the Energies of East)
We summon and stir the Powers of the East; The bright light of the Rising Sun and of the Clarifying Wind. Bring with you clear vision and hope for a bright future.

    (call the Energies of South)
We summon and stir the Powers of the South; The burning light of the Noonday Sun and of the Purifying Fire. Bring with you the heat of devotion and passionate love.

    (call the Energies of the West)
We summon and stir the Powers of the West; The golden light of the Setting Sun and of the Cleansing Water. Bring with you the power of deep emotions and nurturing love.

    (call the Energies of the North)
We summon and stir the Powers of the North; The Twilight of the Hidden Sun and of the Healing Earth. Bring with you the powers of solid support and enduring love.

    (call the Energies of Spirit)
We summon and stir the Powers of Mystery; Above, Below, and about us. The mystics throughout time have all revered God and Goddess as the embodiment of Love. We hereby invoke the energy of love to charge our circle and witness our Rite.

Invoke God & Goddess

    (Bride lays hands on Grooms shoulders)
I call upon the energy of the God to fill this man. Thou art God in my eyes. In the strength of your body, the knowledge of your mind, and the love of your heart, in all ways thou art God. He and thee are one. So mote it be.

    (Groom lays hands on Brides shoulders) I call upon the energy of the Goddess to fill this woman. Thou art Goddess in my eyes. In the strength of your body, the knowledge of your mind, and the love of your heart, in all ways thou art Goddess. She and thee are one. So mote it be.

Bless Rings & Cord

    (Thread rings on cord)
These rings, circles without end, represent our love.
This cord represents our connection to one another.
We are connected by love.
Bless these rings and this cord, to always serve as a reminder of our love for one another.
So mote it be.
    (Remove rings and place them with cord on altar)

Speak Vows

    (Bride and Groom hold hands; each takes turns speaking) We have shared the heights of joy and faced the depths of pain together. We have shared each others happiness and sorrow, and made it our own. Our lives are one. You have allowed me into your heart, where I see the love, beauty, and strength you have within. I am blessed by the gift of your love. I promise to love you to the depths of my being. I promise you my faith and trust. I offer you the gifts of my heart, mind, and spirit. I am honored to take you for my (husband/wife).     (Place ring on finger of partner)

Light Unity Candle

    (Bride & Groom light tapers from altar candle. Light Unity Candle together.) As we light this candle, let it represent this unity of our lives from this moment on. As this one light cannot be divided, neither shall our lives be divided. May the radiance of this one light be a testimony of our unity.

Bind Hands

    (clasp left hands. Tie cord around wrists with three knots.) Hand to hand... heart to heart. Our lives are joined. We are one.

    (Kiss. Slide hands from cord, leaving knots intact.)

Open Circle

Lord and Lady, thank you for sharing our love and witnessing our sacred vows. Stay in our hearts always. Hail and farewell.

Energies of the East!  Thank you for your presence in our sacred rite. Stay if you will, go if you must. Hail and farewell!

Energies of the South!  Thank you for your presence in our sacred rite. Stay if you will, go if you must. Hail and farewell!

Energies of the West!  Thank you for your presence in our sacred rite. Stay if you will, go if you must. Hail and farewell!

Energies of the North!  Thank you for your presence in our sacred rite. Stay if you will, go if you must. Hail and farewell!

The circle is open, never broken. Blessed Be!