Druidic Handfasting
(Blood Rite Optional):
This ceremony may be performed in costumes or street clothes by your own personal preference
A location is selected and a circle pattern laid out
An Alter area is set up to the north of the circle allowing room to walk around the outside without interference.
(incense, salt, and water are placed upon the alter along with the athame and binding cord, *and candles if desired*)
Participants & guests (if the guests choose to) move into the circle area forming an inner circle
NOTE- ONCE THE CIRCLE IS CAST AND SEALED, NO ONE MAY ENTER OR LEAVE
The perimeter of the circle is sealed with Incense, Salt, and Water, then it is returned to the alter (Druid/ess may require an assistant to help carry items)
The groom takes his place to the right in front of the alter, the bride to the left in front of the alter.
The Druid/ess performing the rite takes his/her place behind the alter.
The four quarters are called to their respective places.
(If you have people to stand in for this part, they now move to their places. If not, the "reverend, judge, druid/ess, etc." can call the quarters after they have entered the circle, though he/she will have to do the four quarters parts as well)
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"DRUID/ESS" : Greetings and welcome.
"ALL": Greeting and welcome
"DRUID/ESS" : Great energy, creating force and giver of life, we ask you for your blessing upon this our ceremony
("DRUID/ESS" then forms the circle by walking to the points and and seals it, repeating the following at the named points while facing the named direction.)
(East) "DRUID/ESS":
WE CALL UPON THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF AIR,
JOIN US AND BLESS THIS UNION!
(South) "DRUID/ESS":
WE CALL UPON THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF FIRE,
JOIN US AND BLESS THIS UNION!
(West) "DRUID/ESS":
WE CALL UPON THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF WATER,
JOIN US AND BLESS THIS UNION!
(North) "DRUID/ESS":
WE CALL UPON THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF EARTH,
JOIN US AND BLESS THIS UNION!
("DRUID/ESS" returns to north side of alter and faces the couple)
"DRUID/ESS": In the beginning a seed is planted. Nourished and cared for, it sprouts and springs to life. It continues to grow, strengthening and maturing day by day, enduring and overcoming the hardships of life. When the time comes, it blossoms, transcending forward into the next stage of life. This is not unlike the love between two people, for the love will grow and endure just as the seed. Given the nourishment and care that it needs, it will grow as strong as the mighty oak.
"DRUID/ESS": (grooms name) and (brides name), you both stand within this circle, a symbol that lies within all life.
(Both the groom and bride remain in their beginning places and answering as stated)
"DRUID/ESS": (grooms name) do ye come before the universal energies of life of your own free will?
"GROOM": I do
"DRUID/ESS": (brides name) do ye come before the universal energies of life of your own free will?
"BRIDE": I do
"DRUID/ESS": Proceed ye both now thrice around the circle, symbolically starting your journey ahead
(Both the groom and bride walk around the circle 3 times not touching each other during this, groom going counter clockwise, bride going clockwise.)
(Once they have completed 3 times they both return to their places before the alter facing north.)
"DRUID/ESS": You both stand before me and all that is life, side by side within this circle, both here of your own free will.
"DRUID/ESS": Turn ye now to face each other.
( if blood bond is NOT to be done then the hands can be bound at this time.)
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(SKIP THIS PART IF BLOOD BOND IS NOT GOING TO BE PERFORMED)
(At this this time if the blood bond is to be done, the athame will be prepared to prevent infection)
(NOTE: be sure you have band-aids and neosporin for after the ceremony)
("DRUID/ESS" makes small incision on bride and grooms hands or wrists and joins their hands with the bindings)
"DRUID/ESS": As your blood runs together, flowing and mixing, joining and bonding one with the other, so too do your life forces, becoming as one.
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( / <<< denotes pause for repeat)
"DRUID/ESS": (Grooms name) Repeat after me.
"My blood to your blood, my heart to your heart, / (groom repeats)
my life energy to your life energy, / (groom repeats)
I come to you as your equal, / (groom repeats)
and take your hand by my own free will, / (groom repeats)
as my mate, my lover, my friend and my equal. / (groom repeats)
I give to you my life of my own free will." (groom repeats)
"DRUID/ESS": (Brides name) Repeat after me.
"My blood to your blood, my heart to your heart, / (bride repeats)
my life energy to your life energy, / (bride repeats)
I come to you as your equal, / (bride repeats)
and take your hand by my own free will / (bride repeats)
as my mate, my lover, my friend and my equal. / (bride repeats)
I give to you my life of my own free will." (bride repeats)
"DRUID/ESS": With the binding of your hands, so too do I bind the bonds of your love with protective energies, to watch over your bond this day, and forever more, eternal.
"DRUID/ESS": Do ye both give your oath before and upon the sword of justice to forevermore keep your vows?
"BOTH": We do
"DRUID/ESS": Go ye now and be blessed by the elements of Air, Fire, Water, and Earth.
(at this time the couple moves clockwise, still bound, to each of the four quarters, to receive the blessings of each element. They continue around pausing briefly at each point,
until arriving back at the place they started before the DRUID/ESS).
"DRUID/ESS": With the giving of your oath, one to another, we welcome you into a new beginning in life. A new journey lies before you both, as the bond around your hands join you physically, so now doth your separate paths join to make one . Though your beings are separate, both with your own ideas, thoughts and will, you are now as one. Together you become a unit, both working for the good of the union. May your journey bring you wisdom. May it strengthen your love for each other, and may the energy of life guide you, strengthen you, and shed upon you peace and light, and the courage to journey through life and eternity as one.
(The hands are now untied and the bindings are given to the bride and groom.)
"DRUID/ESS": You may now seal your vows with a kiss. (pause for kiss)
"DRUID/ESS":(while blessing the couple with salt, water, and incense) May you both be blessed as you go forth, this day and forever more, life renewed, joined together as husband and wife.
(Bride and Groom remain in place while "DRUID/ESS" releases the quarters and the circle is closed )
(East) "DRUID/ESS":
WE RELEASE AND THANK THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF AIR
FOR YOUR PRESENCE AND BLESSINGS!
(South) "DRUID/ESS":
WE RELEASE AND THANK THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF FIRE
FOR YOUR PRESENCE AND BLESSINGS!
(West) "DRUID/ESS":
WE RELEASE AND THANK THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF WATER
FOR YOUR PRESENCE AND BLESSINGS!
(North) "DRUID/ESS":
WE RELEASE AND THANK THEE
ANCIENT AND MYSTICAL ELEMENT OF EARTH
FOR YOUR PRESENCE AND BLESSINGS!
"DRUID/ESS": The circle is now broken.
Family and friends may now greet and welcome this couple as husband and wife.
(this ends this sacred marriage ceremony.)
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