Heathen Wedding Rites   Fir boughs are placed at the edge of the ritual area, so the BRIDAL COUPLE step over them as they enter and as they leave, blessing them with fertility, hope, and luck. ELDER: Hail to Frigga, highest of wives, With loving eyes look on this pair, Grant them joy and frith, aye. Holy brides all bring blessing here, Sjöfn, you rule, see your work is done! Vár, hear the vows of these two will speak, Lofn's leave is given, allow none to part them. Frey and Freyja, and fair wights all, Njörðr and Nerthus, give them your good. Wans all wise bring weal this day, with gods most high and goddesses all! We have come here on this (#) day of (month), (year) years* after the beginning of our era, to witness the joining of the clans of BRIDE and GROOM, and their creation of a new household. ELDER calls forth the BRIDE and GROOM.  They carry with they weapons that they will give one another. (The ELDER pours mead into a horn/chalice, pours an offering on the left of the harrow, and hands the horn to the BRIDE. The BRIDE holds the horn up to her GROOM so he may drink. The GROOM then takes the horn and holds it for his BRIDE while she drinks. They return the horn to the ELDER, who then pours its contents into a blessing bowl. The ELDER places the horn back on the harrow, and takes up a Yew branch, removes the wedding rings from it, and places them in the horn/chalice.) ELDER (dips the yew sprig into the mead held in the blessing bowl): Do you GROOM, betrothed of BRIDE, before the gods and all present, take BRIDE to be your wedded wife? GROOM: I do. (ELDER shakes the yew sprig, sprinkling mead on the GROOM, in blessing) ELDER (dips the yew sprig into the mead held in the blessing bowl): Do you BRIDE, betrothed of GROOM, before the gods and all present, take GROOM to be your wedded husband? BRIDE: I do. (ELDER shakes the yew sprig, sprinkling mead on the BRIDE, in blessing) ELDER: What oaths do you swear that ætts be mingled, and mighty grow kind of your kins? The BRIDE and GROOM closely hold their hands out to the ELDER, who "pours" the rings into their waiting hands. The BRIDE and GROOM touch their rings together upon the hilt of Groom’s ancestral sword and speak the vows that they had written for each other. GROOM: Ring and sword I share with you, own my oath and soul. My bright bride, I bring thee all: My heart, my hold, and my hopes. GROOM gives BRIDE his sword and hallows the ring for his BRIDE with the words: "Consecrate us together with the hand of Var," and then places the ring on Bride’s finger. BRIDE: Ring and sword (or other weapon) I share with you, Own my oath and soul, Heart-dear husband I hold you with our hearts, our hold and hopes. BRIDE gives GROOM her weapon and hallows the ring for him with the words: "Consecrate us together with the hand of Var," and then places the ring on Groom’s finger. ELDER: Fate has brought you together, and a new path lies before you.  Before those gathered here, and before the High Gods thou art husband and wife to henceforth be as one. Then, in symbol of they joining, one to the other, place the ring upon the other's finger and seal the troth with a kiss. (BRIDE and GROOM kiss) ELDER: In the name of our people and our Gods, may thou knowest the best of fortune, and may thy life henceforth be one of joy, strength, and prosperity. (The ELDER takes up the blessing bowl) ELDER: Frey and Freyja, we hail you!  Frigga fair, and you maids, we bless!  Bright women look blithely here from Lyfja-Berg!  Thorr has hollowed; sib joy brought by Sif!  Idises and alfs, goddesses and gods... All friends and all kin, have your share! (ELDER passes the blessing bowl to the GROOM and BRIDE. Together, the GROOM and BRIDE pour the contents of the bowl onto the ground before the harrow) ELDER: Hail GROOM and BRIDE! ALL: Hail GROOM and BRIDE! ELDER: Hail the Gods and Goddesses! ALL: Hail the Gods and Goddesses! (The blessing bowl is returned to the harrow. ELDER gives the yew sprig to the GROOM and BRIDE to bless their home) *You may wish to use Runic Era