(This ritual was not written by Tangled Moon, but it was used for a handfasting we conducted. It works equally well for heterosexual and same-sex couples)

Cast Circle

Priestess:( opens doorway with staff, place staff across threshold of door)
"There are two who would be joined together as one. Let them enter into this place of love and begin their union together. "

(The couple enter and stand in center of circle)

Priestess: ( to others outside of the circle)
" The gate stands open to the temple of love. There is no challenge, for all are welcome here, who enter with joy and love for this sacred union."

(any who enter are anointed with Celtic (Solar) cross and told:)

Priestess: "Blessing be upon you!"

Quarter call:

Priestess: "Hear me Aquila, Lord of Air- you who rules over the realms of birth
and new beginnings. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle with your
love and light!"

Priest: " Hear me Leonis, Lord of Fire- you who shines so brightly over our
lives, filling them with the fire of love that is yours, so that it may shine forth from within.
We call thee forth to witness our rite, and to guard this circle with your love and light!

Priestess: "Hear me Ormsilvern, Lord of Water- you who reigns over all endings,
that which without, there could be no beginning. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and
guard this circle with your love and light!"

Priest:" Hear me Taurus, Lord of Earth- you who are the body and mystery,
from which all life begins. We call thee forth to witness our rite, and guard this circle
with your love and light!"

(Priestess- lites Lady Candle, Priest - lites Lord Candle)

Priestess: "Gracious Goddess.."

Priest: "Mighty Lord.."

Together: "Give to these before us, we do ask; your love and protection from all that would try to harm their union. Blessed be!"

( Handmaiden and Summoner bring forth the couple from the center of circle and place them before priestess and priest)

Handmaiden: "Here we bring forth __________(name of Bride)"

Summoner:: " And also _________(name of Groom)

Priestess: "Is it your wish, <name of Bride>, to become one with this
man in the bond of handfasting?"

Bride: "It is."

Priest: "Is it your wish, <name of Groom>, to become one with this
woman in the bond of handfasting?"

Groom: "It is."

Prest: : " Be with us here, oh beings of air, With your clever fingers, tie closely the bonds between this pair."

Priestess: "Be with us here, oh beings of fire, Give their love and passion, your all consuming ardor."

Priest: "Be with us here, oh beings of water. Give them the deepest of love,
and richness of body and soul and spirit."

Priestess: "Be with us here, oh beings of earth.
Let your strength and consistency be theirs through out this union for this life time."
(The phrase *for this lifetime* may be altered to fit the couple)

(Priestess places Bride"s gift on tray and presents tray to Priest.
Priest places Groom's gift on tray and holds tray before the couple.)

Priest: Place your right hands on this tray (pause while they do so)
"Above you are the stars, below you the stones, as time does pass remember...... like a star, should your love be constant, like a stone, should your love be firm"

Priestess: " Be close, yet not too close. possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience, each with the other, for storms will come, yet also will they pass. be free in giving of affection and warmth. make love often, and be sensuous with each other."

Priest: "Have no fear, and let not the words of the unenlightened give you unease,
for the God and Goddess are with you and have blessed this union with their love and presence."

Priestess: "Present now your gifts to one another, remembering as you do so, that they include a small portion of this circle to remind you always of your love for each other and your union that is made here today."

(*couple may choose to exchange vows they have written to each other*)

(Priest hands Priestss the ribbons and she binds the couple's left hands together)

Priestess: "Then as the Lord and Lady and all the ancient and mighty ones are
witness to this rite, thus are thy hands fasted, the two are one, the work of joy is done,
and yet.... just begun."

(Priestess and Priest take broom to center of circle, while Maiden and
Summoner direct/lead couple to center in front of broom. Priestess lays the broom upon the ground and holds out hands to couple. Couple jump the broom)(priestess takes broom and sweeps away all negativity and traces of their past life apart from around and behind them, out the door of the circle)

(At this point, couple can say vows to each other before lighting candle if they have not done so at the exchanging of gifts)

(Couple picks up their own tapers and light from alter candle, then together, light their single candle)

Priestess; "The candle of life is lit....."

Priest: "Likewise, the candle of the soul..."

Both: "Together, they combine to form the eternal light of love."

Priestess: "May the Lord and Lady recognize the bonds drawn between this couple by their own strength of love and will. let the ties between them be strong, yet supple and let none strive to break this bond that they have set forth in the presence of the Lord and Lady for this lifetime. (the phrase *this lifetime may be altered to fit the couple*)

Priest: "Let those of you here with this pair, lend your love and light to their union."

Both: "I now declare thee...hand fasted! Blessed be!"

(Priest and Priestess pick up Cup of Joining)

Priestess: "The Goddess said, these be the five points of fellowship."

Priest: "foot to foot"

Priestess: "knee to knee"

Priest: "lance to grail"

Bride: "heart to heart"

Groom: "lip to lip"

<all>: "joined together, they bring blessedness."

(Couple kiss to charge cup)

Priestess: "Let us all drink from the loving cup and the joy of this union."

(The couple drink from their cup, pass to all other celebrants)

Priest: "From spirit we come, and to spirit we go, from their union, the power of love will flow."

Priestess: "The winds of reason will stir the air, and temper their quarrels with respectful care."

Priest: "Their bond is forged upon the fire and love will fill their hearts with steady
desire."

Priestess: "The waters of understanding will fill them up and they will drink together from wisdom's cup."

Priest: "The earth in her glory will smile upon this pair health, harmony and happiness will be theirs to share."

Both: "For what goes around, returns again, to those who love. for the spirit of union reflects the pattern above."

Priestess: "As these two hearts have combined like the flame of their candles, made strong by love. May the light of their love become a beacon by which they may always
find one another. These children of the God and Goddess have lit a candle in the darkness of the world."

Priest : "May it always burn with a steady light and if it should flicker or threaten to go out, may both raise a hand to guard and shield it. For the candle of their love may
well assist other travelers on the road of life."

Both: "Circles ripple out to forever echo and perform the act of magic with which you are charged. So mote it be!"

( as couple leaves, Priest and Priestess silently and quickly say farewell to the Lord and Lady and take down the circle)