Pagan weddings explained
A HANDFASTING ceremony is the equivalent of a Pagan wedding.
Couples have their wrists tied together with rope, cord or ribbon while they say their vows.
The tying symbolises a couples desire to be bonded together and their commitment and love for each other.
The tying element originates from shaking hands over a deal and is thought to be the origin of the phrase tying the knot.
Their hands will be unbound towards the end of the ceremony in token that they remain together of their own free will.
Rings are generally exchanged towards the end of the ceremony which ends with the couple jumping the broomstick — crossing the symbolic boundary between their old lives and their new, shared, one.
Druids officiate at a Pagan wedding.
Pagan marriages can last as long as the couples chose, traditionally this is a year and a day. But this can be for as long as the couple wish it to last.
Couples can renew the ceremony as much as they wish.
The ceremonies are traditionally held outdoors in order to honour the four elements — earth, wind, fire and water and are open for all that are welcome.
Pagan marriage ceremonies generally include vows to love, honour, respect and to protect each other and their children.
Handfasting can be used by couples of the same sex or by groups, who wish to have more than two people in their family.
2 Comments
by Ellis, shebbear
Wednesday, July 01 2009, 6:29AM
“I believe Dana has Wicca mixed up with paganism.
In England a handfasting is an equivilent to a wedding as it has no legal standing here. For it to be legal under law, a civil ceremony has to take place. For all intents and purposes it is just a celebratory ceremony. It gives no legal rights and no benefits. It is seen as no different as an Islamic or Hindu wedding, no legal standing unless officiated by a registrar in a place solemnized for weddings.
Not every Pagan is Wiccan (calling the quarters etc) centred and not all countries have the same rules for marriage.”
by Dana Corby, Washington State, USA
Thursday, June 25 2009, 7:28PM
“I have been a Pagan priestess for 37 years. I've never seen so much misinformation about Paganism in one article! While I applaud your effort to take some of the 'ooga-booga factor' out of Pagan practice, where did you get this nonsense?
A handfasting isn't the Oagan 'equivalent' of a wedding,' it IS a wedding.
Tying the hands is the origin if the expression 'tying the knot,' not the other way round. It originates with the Romans and means that henceforth all that the couple set their hands to will be as one. It has nothing whatever to do with 'shaking hands over a deal.'.
Handfastings are often held outdoors because Paganism is a Nature religion, as well as for the reasons couples of other religions may have their weddings outdoors -- to be among all that natural beauty. The invocation of the four quarters or elements (depending on how you view it) that is part of many Pagan ceremonies can happen indoors just as well as out.
Some Pagan couples adhere to the 'year and a day' view of handfasting, renewing their vows each anniversary. But far from all, as you imply. One popular handfasting liturgy bind the couple for 'so long as love shall last.' Since most Pagans believe in reincarnation, however, some couples write vows that extend into their next lives. My husband & I, for instance, have already planned where we'll meet next time and what we'll do in our life together.
The custom of Jumping the Broom was borrowed from folklore; it acknowledges the equality of the woman in the relationship when the marriage is heterosexual, and when it isn't, it's simply a fun, traditional cap to the ceremony. 300 Years ago jumping the broom was legal in Scotland as an irregular form of marriage for country folk without access to clergy, though they were expected to solemnize it in church at the first opportunity.
Druids are not the officiants at Pagan weddings unless those Pagans are also Druids. Pagan weddings are performed by Pagan clergy, often both a priest and priestess.
Thank you and many Blessings,
Dana Corby
Senior HPS, Mohsian Tradition of Wicca
Druid Bard and Companion”