Celtic Wiccan Handfasting Rite   (Perform this rite out-of-doors.  The circle is outlined around the edges with stones.  A tree standing at either the North or East is decorated with ribbons and flowers, and electric holiday lights, to symbolize the bridal pair's new life.) (All guests enter the ritual area, and stand, forming another circle inside the stone circle.) PRIEST: Let the four directions be honored that power and radiance might enter our circle for the good of all beings. CALLER OF THE NORTH: With the blessing of the deep and fruitful earth, we call upon the powers of the North. CALLER OF THE SOUTH: With the blessing of the inner fire of the sun, we call upon the powers of the South. CALLER OF THE WEST: With the blessing of the sacred waters of the pool, we call upon the powers of the West. CALLER OF THE EAST: With the blessing of the clear pure air, we call upon the powers of the East. PRIESTESS: May the harmony of our circle be complete. PRIEST: We stand upon this Holy Earth and in the Face of Heaven to witness the Sacred Rite of Marriage between (GROOM) and (BRIDE). Just as we come together as family and friends so we ask for the Greater Powers to be present here within our Circle. May this Sacred Union be filled with their Holy Presence. (Pause) I invoke the God of Love whose name is Aengus Mac Og to be present in this Sacred Place. In his name is Love declared. PRIESTESS: I invoke the Goddess of the Bright Flame whose name is Brigid to be present in this Sacred Place. In Her name is Peace declared. PRIEST: In the name of the Ancestors whose Traditions we honor, PRIESTESS: In the name of those who gave us Life, BOTH: May we all unite in Love. (The BRIDE and GROOM, shrouded in black (symbolizing the mystery of love), and walking hand-in-hand, enter accompanied by their ATTENDANTS, and if possible, the Couple’s parents. Either the GROOM or his ATTENDANT brings a sword or other weapon. The BRIDE and GROOM walk three times around the fire.  Upon completing the three revolutions, their attendants remove the shrouds.  The BRIDE and GROOM kiss, and all the guest shout and wave branches and flowers in approval.) PRIESTESS:  Standing before us are (GROOM) and (BRIDE).  May we all bid them hail and welcome. EVERYONE:  Hail! (BRIDE stands before HP and GROOM stands before HPS.) HP (to BRIDE): Are you (BRIDE)? BRIDE: I am. HP:  What is your desire? BRIDE:  To be joined with (GROOM) in the presence of the Gods and our friends. (HP places a wreath of roses on the Bride’s head.) HP:  I welcome you with joy. HPS (to GROOM): Are you (GROOM)? GROOM: I am. HPS: What is your desire? GROOM: To be joined with (BRIDE) in the presence of the Gods and our friends. (HPS places a wreath of greenery on the Groom’s head.) HPS: I welcome you with joy. (The PRIEST and PRIESTESS bring the BRIDE and Groom’s parents into the circle. The Groom’s parents and attendant stand with him, the Bride’s parents and attendant with her.  The Bride’s FATHER has carried with him a sword or other weapon.) FATHER: I bring you (Bride’s name), my child and my treasure.  (FATHER passes his weapon over Bride’s head to the GROOM) Take this sword (or other weapon) and mind that always must you be strong, whole, and ready in service to protect thy bride. GROOM (as he accepts the weapon from Bride’s FATHER): I, (Groom’s NAME), do vow this before the Gods of our people. HPS: Then nothing may stand in your way! HP (to BRIDE): Take the hand of your love in yours (The BRIDE takes Groom’s left hand in her left) and say after me - By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and by love, in the name of the God, I take thee to my hand, my heart and my spirit, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. Nor shall death part us, for in the ripeness of time we shall meet, and know, and remember, and love again. Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone, I here, thou there, yet both as one. BRIDE: By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and by love, in the name of the God, I take thee to my hand, my heart and my spirit, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. Nor shall death part us, for in the ripeness of time we shall meet, and know, and remember, and love again. Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone, I here, thou there, yet both as one. HPS (to GROOM): Take the hand of your love in yours (The GROOM takes Bride’s right hand in his right) and say after me - By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and by love, in the name of the Goddess, I take thee to my hand, my heart and my spirit, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. Nor shall death part us, for in the ripeness of time we shall meet, and know, and remember, and love again. Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone, I here, thou there, yet both as one. GROOM: By seed and root, by bud and stem, by leaf and flower and fruit, by life and by love, in the name of Goddess, I take thee to my hand, my heart and my spirit, at the setting of the sun and the rising of the stars. Nor shall death part us, for in the ripeness of time we shall meet, and know, and remember, and love again. Flesh of thy flesh, bone of thy bone, I here, thou there, yet both as one. (PRIESTESS stands in place, PRIEST brings Groom’s MOTHER to stand facing GROOM and BRIDE. PRIESTESS hands her the chord.) MOTHER: (Says a few words of her own, then as she is placing the cord around the hands of Bride And Groom, says the following): May you be ever joined as one, happy and together before all you come to meet and know, and before the Divine. HPS: As the Sun and Moon bring light to the Earth do you (GROOM) and (BRIDE) vow to bring the light of love and joy to the union? BRIDE and GROOM: We do. HP: And do you vow to honor each other as you honor which you hold most sacred? BRIDE and GROOM: We do. HPS: And do you vow to maintain these vows in freedom, for as long as love shall last? BRIDE and GROOM: We do. HP:  Let our friends and our Gods bear witness that (BRIDE) and (GROOM) are joined in love, joy and freedom. ALL: So let it be. (HP unbinds Bride and Groom’s wrists.) HPS: All things in Nature are circular - night becomes day, day becomes night and night becomes day again. The moon waxes and wanes and waxes again. There is Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and then the Spring returns. These things are part of the Great Mysteries. (GROOM) and (BRIDE), do you bring your symbols of these Great Mysteries of Life? BRIDE and GROOM, in turn: __________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you.  Let it remind you always, as it circles your finger, of my eternal love, surrounding you and enfolding you day and night.  You are my beloved bride / bridegroom and I marry you today with this ring as I give you my heart, my body and the very breath of my soul. HPS: Then seal your promise with a kiss. (BRIDE and GROOM kiss) HP: Let those assembled here bear witness that (BRIDE) and (GROOM) are joined in love. May their love partake of the beauty, majesty and power of the sacred land and may they grow together in wisdom, joy and harmony. My own blessings and the blessings of all those assembled be with you. HPS: The blessings of the Goddess and the God be with you. HP: The blessings of the ancestors be with you. HPS: And with all that grows from your union. HP: So let it be! ALL: So let it be!