Sample Handfasting Ritual
(Using One Clergy)
The Moon Path Chapter of the Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans
(CUUPS)
Unitarian Universalist Church of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
by SophiaLinus
Cast the circle in a manner appropriate the the traditions of the couple. Next, invoke the quarters" HP: ‘We invite the powers of Earth from the north where the cold wind blows, to join us to witness the joining of Bride and Groom, and give them blessings of strength.’ HP: ‘We invite the powers of Fire from the east where the sun rises, to join us to witness the joining of Bride and Groom, and give them blessings of passion.’ HP: ‘We invite the powers of Air from the south where the hot air originates, to join us to witness the joining of Bride and Groom, and give them blessings of togetherness.’ HP: ‘We invite the powers of Water from the west where the sun sets, to join us to witness the joining of Bride and Groom, and give them blessings of new beginnings.’ HP: 'We invite the Goddess Aphrodite, to join us to witness the joining of Bride and Groom and give them blessings for the love they now have and share with one another.' HP: 'We invite the God Eros, to join us to witness the bonding of Bride and Groom and give them blessings for the love they now have and share with one another.' HP: 'We now will celebrate the joining together of Bride and Groom. They have decided to publicly declare their love for each other with a Hand fasting. Would Bride and Groom please come forward and stand here before us and the Goddess and the God. 'Bride, do you come of your own free will and accord to acknowledge before the Goddess and God the vow and bond of love that is shared between yourself and Groom?' Bride: 'yes' HP: 'Groom, do you come of your own free will and accord to acknowledge before the Goddess and God the vow and bond of love that is shared between yourself and Bride?' Groom: 'yes' HP: 'This Hand fasting bond is to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Bride and Groom have come here today to be joined as one.' HP: 'Know now before you go further, that since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties between each other. As you seek to enter this state of bonding you should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to this ceremony.' HP: 'With full awareness, know that within this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your creative higher powers. The promises made today and the ties that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the years and lives of each soul's growth. Do you still seek to enter this ceremony?' Bride: 'yes' Groom: 'yes' HP: 'Please join your hands and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time passes, remember... Like a stone should your love be firm, like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your hand fasting, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Be understanding and have patience with one another. Be free in giving affection and warmth. May neither take advantage of the other. For remember what one may not provide, the other may. Storms will come, but they will pass quickly. Have no fear for the Goddess and God are with you always.’ (taking the joined left hands, and the cord) 'Bride, I have no right to bind thee to Groom, only you have this right. Is it be your wish for Groom to be bound to you? And you to him? If it is your wish, say so at this time.’ Bride: 'It is my wish.' HP: 'Bride, What do you give to Groom?' Bride: give the gift or ring, if there is one in/on Groom's hand. "I Bride, Says Vow of her choosing." HP: 'Groom, I have no right to bind thee to Bride, only you have this right. Is it be your wish for Bride to be bound to you? And you to her? If it is your wish, say so at this time.’ Groom: 'It is my wish' HP: 'Groom, What do you give to Bride: Groom: give the gift or ring, if there is one in/on Bride's hand. "I Groom, Says Vow of his choosing." HP: (wraps the cord loosely around both arms and ties a knot which can be slipped out of) 'Here before witnesses, Bride and Groom have sworn vows to each other. With this cord, I bind them to the vows that they each have made. However, this binding is tied so that neither is restricted by the other, and the binding is only enforced by both their wills. With this binding I tie you, heart to heart, together as one. With this knot you are joined in sacred union. May the Goddess and God smile upon you, and bless you with health and prosperity. Your Vows have now been heard by all. They represent a seal of your love and respect for each other.' HP: 'By the power vested in me by the State of Florida and as Clergy to the Goddess and God:' HP: 'I now pronounce you husband and wife and bless this hand fasting in the name of the Goddess and the God. May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you.' Invite a cheer from the guests. Bride and Groom: A kiss is appropriate at this time. HP: (hands chalice to Bride:) 'This is your first drink together. May you never thirst. May you drink your fill from the cup of love.' Bride: takes chalice and holds it to Groom's lips while he sips then Groom takes chalice and holds it to Bride's lips while she sips. The chalice is then handed back to the HPS who sets it on the table. HP: (hands plate of bread to Bride). 'This is your first food together. May you never hunger. May you eat your fill from the plate of love.' Bride: takes bread and holds it to Groom's mouth while he eats then Groom takes bread and holds it to Bride's mouth while she eats. The bread is then handed back to the HP who sets it on the table. Invite a cheer from the guests. HP: 'We present Bride and Groom to the north where the cold wind blows, from the powers of the element of earth we ask for blessings of strength and thank them for attending this ritual.' HP: 'I present Bride and Groom to the east where the sun rises, from the powers of the element of fire we ask for blessings of passion and thank them for attending this ritual.' HP: 'I present Bride and Groom to the south where the hot air originates, from the powers of the element of air we ask for the blessings of togetherness and thank them for attending this ritual.' HP: 'I present Bride and Groom to the west where the sun sets, from the powers of the element of water we ask for the blessings of new beginnings and thank them for attending this ritual.' HP: 'I present Bride and Groom to the Goddess Aphrodite and God Eros and ask them for the blessings of the love they now have and share with one another and thank them for attending this ritual.' Invite a cheer from the guests. Bride and Groom: turn to leave and are confronted with a broom which has been put in their path. HP: 'This will be your first act of working together. May you never falter. May you have your fill from the work of love.' Bride and Groom: With tied clasp hands, step over the broom to enter their new life as one. Bride and Groom: Slip the tied cord off their arms and hold tied cord overhead. HP: 'I present Bride and Groom for your blessings.' Invite a cheer from the guests. HP: Blessings and So Mote It Be HP: 'We thank the Goddess and the God for their presence here. The circle is open, but unbroken. Merry meet, merry part, and merry meet again. Let's get some cake.' Prop List: Altar Setup Bread on Plate Cup with Beverage Ribbons/Cord Broom Preparations: Get Marriage License Get Two Witnesses Choose a Goddess and God Compose Your Vows