Terry Rundell J.P. C.M.C.                                                                                                                                                                                                                

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SHORT, PAGAN HAND FASTING CEREMONY

(Note: For those not familiar with the term "Pagan", it is distinguished from the term "heathen". "Heathen" refers to anyone who is not the same religion as you. So a Christian, Jew, Buddhist, Hindu etc. - all could call each other a "heathen".

The term "Pagan" refers to European religions that pre-date Christianity - so "Pagan" is considered a religion and those who practice such religion - seriously or in play - call themselves "Pagans".

The term Pagan in these materials refers to such ancient religions of Europe.
The Pagan religions of Europe can be traced by their gods names and attributes and linguistics to the religion of the ancient Greeks - as do the pre-Christianity religion of the Romans.  However, it should be noted that the connection pre-dates the Roman invasion of Brittany and Europe - which brought Christianity with it - not the ancient religion of the Romans.

The ancient religions of India also trace to similar origins as those of the Greeks - indicating that the earliest migrations of the human race carried along with it a core belief in multiple deities - which had both masculine and feminine personalities and were capacious and often cynical in natures. However, across the many centuries the religions became more diverse and unique from each other.

The term "Pagan" is acceptable to those who practice the ancient European religions and they call themselves "Pagans" as the description of their religion.
The origins of Christianity and Mohammedism (Muslims) trace origins to the monotheism (only one God) of Judaism.

PAGAN MARRIAGE CEREMONY 

The following wedding ceremony was written to provide for Pagans who must of necessity be wed in the presence of those who are not pagan and are perhaps unaware that the bride and groom are pagan.
[PRIEST] We have come together here in celebration of the joining together of ____bride______ and ____groom______. There are many things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining  together of two souls, has come our way through all paths of  belief, and from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to these two, who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. Love is anterior to Life, posterior to Death, initial of Creation and the exponent of Earth. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.

Marriage is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of this, Groom and Bride have come here today to be joined as one in marriage. Others would ask, at this time, who gives the bride in marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her family's blessing.

Bride, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?

[BRIDE] Yes, it is true.

[PRIEST] With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you.

[FATHER] She comes with me, her father, and is accompanied by all of her family's blessings.

Before you are joined in Marriage in my presence and in the presence of these witnesses I am to remind you of the Solomon 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 to all others, voluntarily entered into for life.

[PRIEST] Please each of you light the candle that represents you         ( Bride to the left Groom to the right ) join hands with your betrothed and listen to that which I am about to say. Above you are the stars, below you are the stones, as time doth pass, remember...

Like a stone should your love be firm like a star should your love be constant. Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage, let the strength of your wills bind you together, let the power of love and desire make you happy, and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable. Be close, but not too close. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience with one another, for storms will come, but they will pass quickly.

Be free in giving affection and warmth. Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease, for God is with you always.

( Priest ) Groom, I have not the right to bind thee to Bride, only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in her hand.

[GROOM] It is my wish.

[PRIEST] Bride, if it be your wish for Groom to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger. (places ring on Groom's left ring finger) Bride I have not the right to bind thee to Groom only you have this right. If it be your wish, say so at this time and place your ring in his hand.

[BRIDE] It is my wish.

[PRIEST] Groom, if it be your wish for Bride to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger.(places ring on Bride's left ring finger) (to Groom) Repeat after me:

I, (grooms full name), in the name of Mother Father God  which  resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood and the love that resides within my heart, take thee (bride's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit, to be my chosen one. To desire thee and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.

(to Bride)
I (bride's full name), in the name of the Mother Father God that resides within us all, by the life that courses within my blood, and the love that resides within my heart, take thee, (Groom's full name) to my hand, my heart, and my spirit to be my chosen one. To desire and be desired by thee, to possess thee, and be possessed by thee, without sin or shame, for naught can exist in the purity of my love for thee. I promise to love thee wholly and completely without restraint, in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty, in life and beyond, where we shall meet, remember, and love again. I shall not seek to change thee in any way. I shall respect thee, thy beliefs, thy people, and thy ways as I respect myself.

[PRIEST]
(hands chalice to the groom, saying:) May you drink your fill from the cup of love.  

(Groom holds chalice to bride while she sips then bride takes   chalice and holds it to groom while he sips. The chalice is then handed back to the Priest who sets it on the table. Next the Priest takes the plate of bread, giving it to the groom. Same procedure repeated with bread, groom feeding bride and bride feeding groom.)

As you have now made pledge to each other,  and have bound yourselves to one another by your own free accord,  I now tie this knot to bind you to each to each other in the material and spiritual sense,  and from this day onward may you ever remain one,  therefore together. you shall now light the center candle that signifies that you are one forever more.                      

The Bride name...........and Groom name........... having declared that the will live together in marriage and have bound each other to themselves and having symbolized it by the lighting of the candles and of their binding together and as a authorized celebrant under the act within Australia do now declare them to be husband and wife.  May your love so endure that its flame remains a guiding light unto you now and always

                             You may now kiss the bride

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Last modified: May 10, 2012