NEW YEAR'S DAY LESBIAN HANDFASTINGFor the handfasting of Bride 1 and Bride 2, January 1st, 2010
(before guests enter ceremonial area)
Smudge perimeter, clockwise, with sage.
Asperge perimeter, clockwise, with water.
Cast circle:
Rev Rachael:
I call upon the East and the powers of Air... Be with us now.
I call upon the South and the powers of Fire... Be with us now.
I call upon the West and the powers of Water... Be with us now.
I call upon the North and the powers of Earth... Be with us now.
I call upon the Center and the powers of Spirit... Be with us now.
Great Goddess. Creatrix. Lady of many faces.
Birth... Death... and Rebirth...
I call upon you, Triple Goddess
Maiden... Mother... Crone...
Be with us now.
The Circle is cast
In this sacred space
May only love
Enter this place
So mote it be
guests enter
Brides enter
Rev Rachael: Welcome beloved friends. We have gathered here today to witness and celebrate the handfasting of Bride 1 and Bride 2. I ask all of you gathered here, as witnesses, to love and support them as they build a life together and their love grows.
Today, the first day of the New Year under the Great Mother's blessings of a Blue Moon, Bride 1 and Bride 2 have come together to make vows on their love. A love that like a Blue Moon on New Year's only comes once in a lifetime.
Bride 1... Bride 2... I ask you to be mindful of the vows you make today. Do not take these promises lightly. Today, you will be joined as one in the eyes of your friends and each other. These vows will last forever.
Bride 1 and Bride 2 have chosen to affirm their love by the lighting of a unity candle. (friends of the brides light single tapers)
Bride 1 and Bride 2, may the brightness of your individual candles and the unity candle shine throughout your lives... Be a beacon in your hearts that you may never lose sight of the love and joy you share today... And be a symbol of the light you share with your friends and each other.
(light unity candle)
(tie hands)
The tying together of hands has been used throughout history as a sign between lovers to always lend a helping hand. To catch one another when they stumble. To hold one another through the good and the bad. To be bound, flesh to flesh, for as love as love shall last.
May I have the rings?
The ring is a circle - never ending. It goes on and on forever, through the cycles of life: birth, death, and rebirth. Let these rings be a constant reminder of your love and devotion to one another, throughout time and into Forever.
(Bride 1's vows)
Do you Bride 1, promise to love, honor, and cherish Bride 2, all your life and take her as your wife?
Bride 1: I do (places ring on Bride 2's finger)
(Bride 2's vows)
Do you Bride 2, promise to love, honor, and cherish Bride 1, all your life and take her as your wife?
Bride 2: I do (places ring on Bride 1's finger)
Rev Rachael:
May your paths be smooth
And the weather be fair
May your hearts fill with joy
And never a care
May your friends be many
And the good times last
And may you look fondly
Upon the past
May life be kind
And love be true
And may many great blessings
Shine upon you
(tie the knot)
(friends of the bride lay down broom)
Sweep away the old life and jump into the new.
By the power vested in me, by the love and light that surrounds and binds us all, I now pronounce you life partners.
You may kiss your bride.
Triple Goddess. Blessed Moon.
Maiden... Mother... Crone...
Thank you joining us today.
Be with Bride 1 and Bride 2.
Guide them. Love them.
Hail and Farewell.
Spirit, Earth, Water, Fire, and Air
Thank you for joining us today.
Be with Bride 1 and Bride 2.
Guide them. Love them.
Hail and Farewell.
May the Circle be open but never unbroken in your hearts.
Beloved guest, it is my dearest pleasure to introduce to you, the Mrs. Bride 1 & Bride 2.
Go now and receive the blessings of your family.
(before guests enter ceremonial area)
Smudge perimeter, clockwise, with sage.
Asperge perimeter, clockwise, with water.
Cast circle:
Rev Rachael:
I call upon the East and the powers of Air... Be with us now.
I call upon the South and the powers of Fire... Be with us now.
I call upon the West and the powers of Water... Be with us now.
I call upon the North and the powers of Earth... Be with us now.
I call upon the Center and the powers of Spirit... Be with us now.
Great Goddess. Creatrix. Lady of many faces.
Birth... Death... and Rebirth...
I call upon you, Triple Goddess
Maiden... Mother... Crone...
Be with us now.
The Circle is cast
In this sacred space
May only love
Enter this place
So mote it be
guests enter
Brides enter
Rev Rachael: Welcome beloved friends. We have gathered here today to witness and celebrate the handfasting of Bride 1 and Bride 2. I ask all of you gathered here, as witnesses, to love and support them as they build a life together and their love grows.
Today, the first day of the New Year under the Great Mother's blessings of a Blue Moon, Bride 1 and Bride 2 have come together to make vows on their love. A love that like a Blue Moon on New Year's only comes once in a lifetime.
Bride 1... Bride 2... I ask you to be mindful of the vows you make today. Do not take these promises lightly. Today, you will be joined as one in the eyes of your friends and each other. These vows will last forever.
Bride 1 and Bride 2 have chosen to affirm their love by the lighting of a unity candle. (friends of the brides light single tapers)
Bride 1 and Bride 2, may the brightness of your individual candles and the unity candle shine throughout your lives... Be a beacon in your hearts that you may never lose sight of the love and joy you share today... And be a symbol of the light you share with your friends and each other.
(light unity candle)
(tie hands)
The tying together of hands has been used throughout history as a sign between lovers to always lend a helping hand. To catch one another when they stumble. To hold one another through the good and the bad. To be bound, flesh to flesh, for as love as love shall last.
May I have the rings?
The ring is a circle - never ending. It goes on and on forever, through the cycles of life: birth, death, and rebirth. Let these rings be a constant reminder of your love and devotion to one another, throughout time and into Forever.
(Bride 1's vows)
Do you Bride 1, promise to love, honor, and cherish Bride 2, all your life and take her as your wife?
Bride 1: I do (places ring on Bride 2's finger)
(Bride 2's vows)
Do you Bride 2, promise to love, honor, and cherish Bride 1, all your life and take her as your wife?
Bride 2: I do (places ring on Bride 1's finger)
Rev Rachael:
May your paths be smooth
And the weather be fair
May your hearts fill with joy
And never a care
May your friends be many
And the good times last
And may you look fondly
Upon the past
May life be kind
And love be true
And may many great blessings
Shine upon you
(tie the knot)
(friends of the bride lay down broom)
Sweep away the old life and jump into the new.
By the power vested in me, by the love and light that surrounds and binds us all, I now pronounce you life partners.
You may kiss your bride.
Triple Goddess. Blessed Moon.
Maiden... Mother... Crone...
Thank you joining us today.
Be with Bride 1 and Bride 2.
Guide them. Love them.
Hail and Farewell.
Spirit, Earth, Water, Fire, and Air
Thank you for joining us today.
Be with Bride 1 and Bride 2.
Guide them. Love them.
Hail and Farewell.
May the Circle be open but never unbroken in your hearts.
Beloved guest, it is my dearest pleasure to introduce to you, the Mrs. Bride 1 & Bride 2.
Go now and receive the blessings of your family.