Pagan Ceremony?

GothicBelle

My future husband and I are planning to have two ceremonies, one to appease our families and one to please ourselves. Our first ceremony is to be on October 27, 2013 (the date we started dating) and our second is on Halloween the same year; both will be outdoor around sunset, in Texas.My question is: does any one know any traditions of a traditional celtic and/or pagan handfasting ceremony?

awayagain

Well, you've come to the right board for THAT question.... oh, Haaaaaandfast, yoohoo!

handfast4me

I"m heeeeeere.  Welcome!  My husband and I did this; we did a traditional, full-on Pagan handfasting on Dec. 21, 2006.  We used it as our official engagement date.  The traditional handfasting terminology is "for a year and one day" and was used a trial marriage.  The Scots-- (and much of the other Celts)  are a very practical people, and so this was their way to try out a spouse.  :-)   On March 20, 2008, we were legally married on a beach in Key West.  We had a notary perform the ceremony, because that's the only requirement in Florida, but as it happens, the one our B & B referred us to, quite by accident, was Pagan, too, so although she wasn't a High Priestess, she incorporated many of our traditions in our ceremony.  We didn't have any guests at either ceremony, but our legal wedding was filled with subtle Pagan references that most muggles wouldn't get, or understand, unless they were very well educated in Roman or ancient rites.  I would be happy to share both ceremonies with you, how me made our cord, etc. 

So, fill me in on what you need, and I'll try to help as much as possible.  PM me if you need to.

Also, one word of caution.  I came on these boards really naiive, thinking that most people are open minded, and kind.  My optimism was not a good thing, as I have been harrassed in the past by the Christians trying to convert me.  So, that's why I might suggest the PM. 

Blessed be!

Thumper1148

handfast4me I sent you a pm!!

fireytiger

Handfast, I'm sorry that you dealt with people who are closed-minded. I am christian but I don't believe in harassing others for not believing the same things as me. I've had many friends who are pagan and learning about their beliefs, rituals, etc. is very interesting to me. I know a lot of people don't feel the same way, but just know that i'm on your side too.

GothicBelle, congratulations on your upcoming nuptials! I hope that your wedding(s) are everything that you dreamed they would be!

handfast4me

Thanks Firey, it was a couple of years ago, and most of those have since disappeared from the board.  Living here in the bible belt, many of us must remain "in the broom closet" as we call it.  It's unfortunate that in the US, in which we are supposed to be free to worship as we wish, or not at all, that many are persecuted for their beliefs, or lack thereof.  I'm pretty tough :-)  but I never know just how tough others are--so when someone "comes out" on these boards, I always rush to warn them .   And then there are the uneducated who equate Pagan with devil worship.  ARGH. 

Thumper--going to read the PM now.  :-)

GothicBelle

Oh my gosh, I think I'll be in heaven here!!!

Handfast, I have a feeling you'll be a life saver. 

I absolutely love the idea of having the ceremony done by my best friend and his, because I think it requires two people.

My best friend and I roleplay online together and my fiancee and I were actually married on our game by the pagan ceremony; so my best friend knows a little, but I want to know more.

I need to know traditions of it; like what is done step by step, what is worn, what is said...Anything and everything. 

We're trying to tie my Wiccan(and a mix of Catholic; yes I'm a walking contradiction) in with his Irish blood. He is full blood Irish, moved from Ireland to the U.S. when he was 11 and still has his accent. He is very proud of his heritage and I want to tie in Celtic traditions with the Pagan. 

GothicBelle

Thank you, Firey, by the way! I just hope I can manage to do the planning while he's all the way across the world!

handfast4me

So, GB, as a Wiccan, you already know that Pagan and Wicca are two different things. DH and I are "solitary practitioners" and practice mostly Welsh traditions.  However, my cousin and his wife are High Priest and Priestess in a Wiccan coven, so they performed our handfasting. 

If you don't belong to a coven, it can be a little difficult to find someone to do the ceremony.  Someone to do it legally is another matter.

Pm me and I'll send you our ceremonies in return. 

Sarahkayfa

GothicBelle- congratulations! It's nice to meet you.

Handfastforme- It would be nice if you could post some general resources that we could all peruse, if you know of any good links. I think a lot of us would be interested in learning more about your traditions. Thanks.

reichirookami

Hi gothic belle, 

I was raised catholic but i also want to mix wicca and catholicism. i'm not sure whether or not my boyfriend was baptized but he said he was catholic, but he also has an interest in wicca. would you mind sharing any info or feedback about the wicca/catholic mix? 

thanks you!