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Whether or not a couple chooses to have a handfasting does not make or break the legality of the marriage. Rather, the couple must take the proper steps to ensure that their marriage is recognized by the government if they do so choose. Generally, there may have to be an ordained or legalized officiant in addition to the couple having filled out the proper paperwork i. Anyone can become handfasted if that is their intent; rest assured it will be recognized by the Gods.
But it may not be recognized by the government — so do your research! Do you have to be Wiccan to have a handfasting?
In fact, the term handfasting arose during the early Christian era, when Paganism had already lost much ground. But people from all religious denominations can experience the beautiful handfasting ritual during their wedding ceremony.
Buy Romantic Guide to Handfasting: Rituals, Recipes & Lore by Anna Franklin ( ISBN: ) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free . The mission of www.farmersmarketmusic.com is to link people in the Pagan and Wiccan communities with ordained .. Handfasting, a Pagan Guide to Commitment Rituals.
In practice, Wiccans are taught to place well-thought intention into ritual, and therefore they do so into the knotting of the cords. Because of this, the ritual of the handfasting invites a unique, magical experience between the couple. How do I find someone to perform a handfasting? While the website itself is a work in progress as I suspect in perpetuity , it will always be a direct source for those who seek someone to perform their handfasting ceremony.
One can also find a wealth of information on a comprehensive website called Witcvox. There is also a handfastings Yahoo! Group operated independently of Handfastings. Otherwise, you are going to have to do what the founder of Handfastings. I searched forever for a Wiccan High Priestess to perform my handfasting.
How can I find out if they are legally registered to perform marriage ceremonies? Although there are differences between the requirements in the various states, a marriage between a man and a woman performed in one state must be recognized by every other state under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the United States Constitution [ U. This is where research comes in handy. If you are serious about getting married and you want your marriage to be recognized by your government, you should be just as serious about making sure the person who performs your ceremony is legal.
In addition to finding a legal officiant, the couple getting married may also have to apply for a marriage license. Because laws vary greatly from location to location, a good place to begin your research is at U. For other countries please check your local government. For same-sex unions to be recognized, this has been an uphill battle for many. While I personally advocate for the legalization and recognition of same-sex marriage, the current reality is that you may have to settle for a commitment ceremony or civil union ceremony for the time being until the rest of the world comes to its senses.
But this does not mean that you cannot have a handfasting.
Remember, the Gods do not discriminate — if you take a vow with a loved one to be joined in unity during a handfasting, you most certainly will be married in the eyes of the Gods. Government laws have been slow to catch up. Oh and by the way, none of the above is intended to be used as legal advice.
Is there one set ceremony for a handfasting, or are there options to help tailor the ceremony for a particular bride and groom? The most important aspect of the handfasting ritual, after the intent of course, is the cords.
Click here to learn more about The Magical Buffet: The best way to pick out cords is to use your intuition along with your intent. By the secrets of the earth and water is this bond woven, unbreakable, irrevocable. What is a Handfasting? Would you like to tell us about a lower price? Mission Statement Overview — What is a Handfasting? I invite the Gods to come bless this union as we invoke the infernal names:
Traditionally in much of cord magic including handfastings , cords may be nine feet in length, with each end knotted or bound with thread to prevent fraying. A natural substance such as cotton or silk is ideal. In many initiation ceremonies, cords are measured as per the length height of the persons involved in the rite; however, the numbers 3 and 9 are very magical and can be incorporated simply by using a cord that is 9 feet or 3 meters long, which is totally acceptable. In handfasting cords, traditionally, 3 cords are used, each a different color: For instance, the bride may love the color pink and be using it as one of her wedding colors.
Pink would be a lovely color to use in the cords as well. Magically, pink symbolizes love. Or you can incorporate a green cord, which symbolizes fertility and growth. Do a search for color correspondences or go to: My husband and I used a purple cord - I love purple, which symbolizes spiritual strength. Not to mention that it was one of our wedding colors!
A great site with an overview on basic cord magic by Estelle Daniels is: Some people braid the three cords together, others only use one cord. It's up to you! The best way to pick out cords is to use your intuition along with your intent. You can never go wrong with that. What would you say is the biggest misconception about handfasting?
Considering handfastings are just now experiencing a revival, not many people have had the chance to create false impressions about the ritual. For those who may have heard of handfastings however, there may be a misconception about the original handfasting, or the betrothal, to have lasted a year and a day.
This somehow may have been incorporated into the subconscious minds of some Wiccans and Pagan folk, and they may have come to the conclusion that the old betrothals, or the promise to marry, were also exactly a year and a day. But to the best of my knowledge there is no definitive proof of the handfastings of old to be exactly a year and a day.
The obscurity of handfastings might invite general misconceptions about Wicca or Paganism itself. If you are not the copyright holder or its agent and if the content is clearly infringing the copyright of a well-known work, please select "Infringes a well-known work" from the dropdown menu. Lulu Staff has been notified of a possible violation of the terms of our Membership Agreement.
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Thank you for notifying us. The page you are attempting to access contains content that is not intended for underage readers. This item has not been rated yet. After hundreds of questions from clients and readers of my blog I decided to create this little guide to Handfasting in the hopes that it will take some of the stress out of planning your milestone ceremony. From making the cords to what colours to choose, the materials to use and of course, a few example ceremonies, this should answer all your questions.
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