Weddings & HANDFASTINGS Information kit www.WiseCrafting.com.au [email protected] 0415 158 941 Handfastings & Weddings A handfasting offers a couple the opportunity to have a spiritually non-Christian wedding, whose roots harken to an older past. Seen as a rural folkloric tradition in Western Europe, handfastings have become a popular spiritual alternative to a traditional wedding ceremony. Writings from the 16th & 17th centuries give us insight to the original purpose of the handfasting in Britain - a commitment ceremony performed during either Beltane or Lughnasadh (depending on location). The whole community would come together at this time, and it was a custom for people to ‘wed’ for a year and a day - a type of betrothal. Once that year was up (during the next Beltane or Lughnasadh gathering), the couple could agree to continue the marriage, or separate & choose another partner. It is the physical act of tying together hands - the handfasting - that has gained popularity in our modern culture, which years to put meaning back into (often) bland & legalised ceremonies. Modern handfastings may be a simple or intricate ceremony; include a small or large wedding party; be civil-minded or deeply spiritual - it is all up to the individual couple. It typically includes the handfasting act - the binding of the couples hands together to signify their joining in this life & marriage. This binding can be performed in different ways & I am always excited to explore with the couple which style suits them best. A modern handfasting may also be held within a pagan ceremony. As a certified marriage celebrant, as well as Witch (member of PAN & Reclaiming Witchcraft tradition), and Druid (of the OBOD tradition), I offer unique ceremonies that reflect our spiritual beliefs. I have been leading ceremony & rituals since 2009, and due to my deep passion for my pagan beliefs & the work & teaching I do in my community, I consider myself a pagan Priestess. When we craft your handfasting ceremony together, we create a ritual that is powerful, poignant & unforgettable. A couple may choose a modern handfasting ceremony for a range of reasons: M they want a wedding ceremony that harkens back to their Celtic roots M they want a legal wedding without all the “stuffiness” M they want a non-legal wedding without all the “stuffiness” M they are a LGBTIQ couple (or group) who wish for a non-legal ceremony M they are a pagan/druid/witch couple who want their spiritual beliefs included in the ceremony M they want their wedding to be special, different & unique ABOUT ME I craft ceremonies that are deeply moving, intensely spiritual, and shaped with you in mind. A ceremony is a declaration of intent, from you to your Goddess or God, to Mother Earth, to your Ancestors, or to your Guides and your family. The words that are spoken, the movements performed, and the flow of the entire ritual express a commitment you are willingly entering into. For me, crafting & performing ceremonies is the most sacred thing I can do, which is why I am so passionate about being a Priestess and Celebrant. Every rite II prepare is a sacred conversation between the couple that I work with, and the Divine. Every time I agree to facilitate a ritual, I am offered the opportunity to deepen my bond with my Goddess, and help others to mark a blessed occasion. I am a Priestess, Pathworker, Bard & Witch. I am a seeker of the mystical & sacred experience, and a Weaver of Rites & Rituals. I am passionate and focused in my creative activities, whether they be ceremony, art or music. As a long-time performer of ritual, I am confident in my skills, and my ability to assist you to celebrate your wedding. As a Priestess, I practice a modern form of eclectic witchcraft and Druidry on the Central Coast of NSW. I have worked solitary, within Covens, Circles and Groves, co-ordinated large gatherings, and facilitated workshops. I strongly believe that ritual can be profoundly transformative, and that our culture is desperately calling out for ceremonies to mark the important passages within our lives – of which marriage is one. You can be assured that I will offer a ceremony that: M reflects your values and spiritual beliefs M is crafted from a vast experience of different rites & rituals M speaks of deep spiritual understanding, respect & sincerity M will flow gently throughout; and should the unseen occur, I am experienced at bringing the ceremony smoothly back on course, without awkwardness M shows an appropriate dramatic flair, but only to enhance the poignancy of desired moments M creative, emotional, heartfelt and transformative YOUR CELEBRANT’S ROLE IN THE CEREMONY My role as a celebrant is two-fold: to ensure that the ceremony is conducted in accordance with legal requirements; and to support you, the couple, and make sure that the ceremony expresses your values, beliefs and personalities. My knowledge, experience and guidance are available to you as we a create a unique & magickal ceremony just for you. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME M Attend to all the Legal Paperwork prior to & after your marriage. M Registration of your marriage with Births, Deaths & Marriages. M Solemnise your marriage according to Australian Law. M Complies with the Code of Practice for Marriage Celebrants. M Advise you of information regarding local Relationship Education Services. M Make available your Presentation Marriage Certificate and copy of your ceremony. M Make available a portable table and chair with table cloth for signing of documents. M Punctuality, professionalism, patience and a sense-of-humour on my part. M In-depth discussion & workshopping of different ceremony ideas, ensuring flexibility in your choice of ceremony. M Preparation of your ceremony and provisions of drafts for your approval. M A rehearsal, preferably onsite at your chosen ceremony venue. M My assurance that I will not book another wedding at the same time, so you will have my full attention, and I will not arrive late or need to leave early. M My guarantee that your ceremony will remain your ceremony, and I will do everything possible to safeguard your ownership of decisions and style. M My full experience, knowledge & wisdom regarding ceremonies means you can be confident it will be unique, passionate and profound for you both. CEREMONY - an example THE WELCOME Celebrant: Within the Wheel of the Year, at Beltane, we celebrate the coming together of the Lord and Lady, and their joining in the Great Rite. We celebrate this occasion because it shows two great Spirits combining to become so much more than they were apart. For us all, it speaks deeply about the Divine love that two Spirits have for each other. Wise ones say: “The Gods dwell within us, as us,” and today, like our Lord and Lady, Jane and John come together at Beltane to be joined. They represent more than just a man and woman being wed – they symbolise the Divine masculine and feminine, Sun and Moon; they are images of our Lord and Lady, offering all that they are to the other. They are two Spirits choosing to walk all future Wheels of the Year together: growing, transforming, releasing and reflecting through all seasons and changes of the moon. And in their journeying together, also supporting, challenging and changing together. I am duly authorised by law to solemnise marriages according to law. Before you are joined in marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses, I am to remind you of the solemn and binding nature of the relationship into which you are now about to enter. Marriage, according to law in Australia, is the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life. This means that the vows you will make are meant to sustain you both for the whole of your life together. This union is not just about the children that may be born into it, or the land you may live on together: it is about the journey that you will make, together, for the rest of your days. Our pagan beliefs mean that we see the Divine in all that surrounds us – the wind becomes Her breath on our cheek; the Sun becomes His smiling down upon us; and the joining of these two people together in a handfasting is She and He also coming together and blessing all of us on this occasion. THE PROMISE Celebrant: John, I ask you to repeat after me: I call upon the persons here present to witness that I, John, take thee, Jane, to be my lawful wedded wife. In the dark of Winter I rest with you, dreaming of our future together In the newness of Spring I will run, play and find joy in Nature with you. In the heat of the Summer I will offer you my all – my courage and steadfastness. In the cool of Autumn I will relax with you, muse over where our journey has taken us, and release all that does not serve us. And as we travel once more into Winter, I will reflect and hope with you, and prepare to begin again. So mote it be.” This is then repeated for Jane. THE VOW Celebrant: I now ask each of you to make a vow to the other, a vow that you intend to keep. Like all vows, I ask you to consider with honesty what is asked of you, and if you agree, say, “I will.” Like the Lord who, upon Summer Solstice, takes responsibility for the gift of his and the Lady’s union – Will you take responsibility for each other, the journey you will take together, respect the decisions you will make together, and the results of those choices? (I will); Will you love each other faithfully, joyfully and in honesty? (I will); Will you be kind, compassionate and inspiring to each other, in word, action and deed? (I will); Will you hold each other in times of grief, support each other in times of strife, encourage each other in times of challenge, and celebrate with each other in times of joy? (I will); Will you honour the Divine Spirit that dwells within each of you, and help each other to seek their own, individual spiritual path? (I will).