The Temple of the Free Spirit

Intention: Wedding Michael and Jaspenelle
Ritual Type: Handfasting
Group: Jaspenelle and Michael (the couple); Fleur-de-lis (Priestess and earth elemental); Peter Gere (Priest and water elemental); Sal (fire elemental); Kahmiel (air elemental); Mikcos (temple summoner); and 30 or 40 guests
Date/Time: June 23nd, 2007 - 10am

This is Michael and my handfasting ritual, feel free to use it as inspiration for your own but please do not use it word for word. The following ritual is our ritual, but I would be more than willing to help anyone customize there own - just let me know!

A reporter and photographer from the local paper attended out ritual an article about it which can be seen here. It is very well done!

The ritual:

1st Circle Casting (8am)

Michael, Jaspenelle and the ritual bearers will clean and set atmosphere and cast a protection circle before set up and the guests arrive: blessing the area, the food, the day, ourselves.

• Set up and decorate
• Frankincense and Myrrh incense – by Priestess
• Unity candle blessing – Priest and Priestess

This circle is really informal, it is just to cleanse the space.

Guests Arrive (10am)

• Justin & Heather will be by the guestbook and wishing well table (which will be by the door) to let people know what to do as they arrive (and get them to sign the book and toss a stone in the well with a blessing.)
• Mikcos will be ushering (Temple Summoner)
• Once everyone is seated (it will be inside) the ritual will begin - so all the ritual bearers will need to be in the ritual area.
• Michael and I will be sitting outside the circle.
• Priestess and Priest will be in the circle. A lit candle will be on the altar.

(A chime will be rung by the Priestess to quiet everyone.)

Ritual Beginning - 10:30am

Temple Summoner: Blessed be and merry meet. Michael and Jaspenelle have asked you all here to bear witness in their handfasting and to share in their happiness. An ancient ritual is about to begin and for those who have never been to a handfasting before the etiquette for it is almost the same as a modern wedding.

We ask that you do not move from your place during the ritual but if you really must get up for any reason or need to leave, please walk quietly over to me and I will guide you out. We also ask that you turn off any cellphones, we all know how annoying an interruption like that can be.

We ask that you do not speak until the ritual has come to an end, which will be when Michael and Jaspenelle jump the besom (or the broom), at which time we ask that you greet them with all your approval. Again, thank you all for coming!

(A chime is rung by the Priestess.)

Circle Casting

(not directional – face the guests for best voice projection)

Priestess / Earth Elemental:
Sacred Foundation, Mother Earth!
Come! Join us, your children, in this rite.
Fertility, endurance and stability are your offerings,
We accept them as they embrace Michael and Jaspenelle.
Bless them with long loving productive years,
Join us in this celebration of love,
Blessed be and merry meet Element of Earth!

Air Elemental:
We celebrate the arrival of Air!
Join us wise winds of the Four Ways,
Living breath of our planet so fair.
I call on you to bless all of these lovers days.
Come bear witness to this union
Lend us your power. Guard this circle.
Bring your fun loving nature,
Your understanding and never-ending hope.
Tie the heartstrings of this couple,
Blow your blessings upon them both

Fire Elemental:
Great Ones, Ancestors and Element of Fire
I, Sal, summon, stir and call you forth
To witness this rite, add to our energy and guard our circle.
I call on ye to bring light and warmth to this day
With the flame of purification cleanse all that is within and without
Bring life to the union for which we gather in honor and celebration
Light the yearning within Jaspenelle and Michael
Which will burn between them from this day forth
That their joining will be filled with soulful devotion
Bring the spark of happiness filling their lives with joy

Priest / Water Elemental:
Vivacious Waters – Tranquil Waters,
Every-changing lifeblood of the planet!
Come, cleanse, charge, consecrate this sacred union.
You are the ebb and flow, a force of whimsy and emotional power.
You, the intuitive connection.
Rise up into the souls of Michael and Jaspenelle,
Bless them with never-ending love, hope and devotion.
We celebrate the circle of Water and we welcome you to this rite.

(A chime is rung by the Priestess.)

Thanking of Parents/Entering the Circle

(Priest and Priestess walk forward to the gateway.)

Priestess: “Michael and Jaspenelle please step forward to the gateway.”

(We are sitting at the ends of the front row. We step forward and face the guests.)

Priestess: “You are here today as two hearts to join in one love. Before entering the circle and into this new life do you have anything you wish to share?”

Michael & Jaspenelle: “Yes. Blessing and thanks to our parents.”

Priest: “Will the parents of this couple please step forward.”

(Parents step forward.)

Jaspenelle: “Mom and Dad thank you for all that you have shared with me. Mom, you have given me my artistic nature and ability to weather any storm. Dad, you have given me my business sense and my will to succeed. You have both given me the gifts of love and understanding that are the foundation of who I am, and I am grateful. Please accept this token of my gratitude and remember as you have been there for my triumphs and pitfalls I will always be there for you.

(Gives necklaces to her parents)

Michael:

(Gives necklaces to his parents.)

Priest: “Do the parents of this bride and groom approve of their union?”

(The parents approve.)

Priest: “Your support and encouragement are important to this couple. Thank you, you may be seated.”

(Parents sit.)

Priest: “Michael and Jaspenelle, your wedded life begins today and if you are ready please step through the gateway and join hands.”

(Priest offers his hands to bring us into the circle. We follow him to the altar and join hands. the Air Elemental places the besom in the gateway – the besom was leaning beside the altar.)

(A chime is rung by the Priestess. The Priestess then goes and stands in front of Michael. The Priest is standing in front of Jaspenelle.)

Union Ceremony

Priest: “Be thee cleansed and purified. You are welcomed into the circle to be joined in love and trust.”

Priestess: “We stand here now, between two worlds, the physical and spiritual, and ask the Divine Universe and the Ancestors, to bless this sacred union between Michael and Jaspenelle. We ask that their marriage be blessed by many happy years and that they may be able to overcome all obstacles. They are already bound by the ties of true friendship and love but we ask that their love may continue to grow and deepen. Jaspenelle, the Goddess offers gifts of love, protection, communication and unity - these are powerful gifts. Do you offer these same gifts to Michael?”

Jaspenelle: I do.

Priestess: And Michael do you offer these gifts to Jaspenelle?

Michael: I do.

Priest: We ask the sacred powers that be bless the home and hearth of this couple with creativity, peace and joy. May they love each other for their gifts and cherish each other for any faults. True love is loving a whole person not just parts. Bless their family and friends who have helped to strengthen them over the years and helped them find the path to each other. Michael, the God offers gifts of love, fortitude, loyalty and understanding - these are powerful gifts. Do you offer these same gifts to Jaspenelle?

Michael: I do.

Priest: And Jaspenelle do you offer these gifts to Michael?

Jaspenelle: I do.

(A chime is rung by the Priestess.)

Priestess: Jaspenelle, what vows do you make to Michael?

Jaspenelle: Michael, from this day forward I take you to be my husband.
To walk, run and dance the life path with you.
To love, care and share all my creativity and thoughts with you.
To celebrate when you smile and hold you when you cry.
To let the earth ground us, the winds dance with us, the fires burn within us and the waters guide us.
I give you my heart, my pledge of truth and commitment and the freedom to soar as high as the eagle.
I love you.

(The Priestess lights a blue taper off the candle on altar and hands it to Jaspenelle.)

Priest: Michael, what vows do you make to Jaspenelle?

Michael: (draft, still working)
Jaspenelle, you are my eagle, my guide, my path.
I promise to always be your rock and foudation.
When the rivers of life drag you down,
I will lift you up.
When the winds of success lift you high,
I will hold you higher.
I will love you always and for eternity.
You are my everything

(The Priest lights a red taper off the candle and hands it Michael.)

Priestess: This candle is a symbol of love!

(We light the unity candle.)

Earth Elemental: May Earth bless them with strength and fertility!

Air Elemental: May Air bless them with peace and joy!

Fire Elemental: May Fire bless them with passion and protection!

Water Elemental: May Water bless them with love and commitment!

(The Priest begins to tie the cord around Michael's right hand and Jaspenelle's left hand.)

Priestess: (as Priest binds our hands) The knots of this binding are not formed by this cord but by your sacred vows to each other. This cord binds you for the length of this day as your love will for the rest of your time. May it stay joined and never fray.

(The Priest finishes tying the cord.)

Priest: You are bound by the forces of spirit, the blessings of the elements and the sacred powers. Love, protect and cherish each other!

(A chime is rung by the Priestess.)

Priest: Go now and cross the gateway into your new life and celebrate your love. May the circle be open but never broken!

(We go over and jump the besom.)

Temple Summoner: I present to you Mr and Mrs Stewart!”

(Clapping, cheering and all that good stuff.)

Temple Summoner: The ceremony for joining this couple is complete. If everyone could move your chairs to the sides, we'll finish setting up for lunch. Later on we'll have some informal entertainment and some table games available. Please feel free to mingle, we'll announce when the food is ready for the buffet line to start.