Seasons of Wicca: The Essential Guide to Rituals and Rites to Enhance Your Spiritual Journey - Ambrosia Hawthorn 2020
Handfasting and Handparting
Wiccan Rites
Rituals to Enhance your Spiritual Journey
A handfasting is a Wiccan wedding ceremony that symbolically ties two people together, whereas a handparting (or Parting of Ways) is a Wiccan divorce, or a symbolic severing of ties. A handfasting is not the same as a legal wedding; it can be purely ceremonial, or it can be incorporated into the process of obtaining a legal marriage certificate. Because of their formal nature, handfastings and handpartings are usually performed by High Priests or Priestesses, officiants, or clergypersons.
HANDFASTING
Handfasting originates from a Celtic tradition in which two partners cross arms and join hands, creating a symbol of infinity that is then bound with ribbon. This tradition is where the modern phrase “tying the knot” comes from. An important note: This ceremony is a basic rite and can be altered to meet your preferences or needs. It is usually performed by a leader or officiant.
Rite Setting
Altar or outdoors
Tools and Supplies
Ceremonial décor
Wand or athame
Elemental representations (optional)
Deity representation—candles or statues (optional)
1 taper or votive candle—white, to represent unity
Fire-safe plate or candle holder
Lighter or matches
Ribbon or cord—at least a few feet, to allow wrapping
Cake and ale (optional)
PRIOR TO THE RITE
1.Choose an area, indoors or outdoors, to use as an altar for the ceremony.
2.The couple should take a purification bath or shower and prepare themselves for the ceremony.
3.Cleanse the ceremony area.
PREPARING THE ALTAR
Place the decorations around the ceremony area. Place the tools and supplies on the altar. If using, place the deity representation at the top of the altar, and place the elemental representations facing their respective cardinal directions.
THE RITE
1.The officiant or leader of the ceremony uses a wand or athame to cast a circle of protection, silently or out loud, and visualizes energy creating a wall around the area.
2.The officiant starts with the element of air for mental clarity, the element of fire for power, the element of water for fluidity, and the element of earth for stability.
3.The officiant then invokes the deity: “Lord and Lady, we invite you to join this ceremony. Grant us your blessings and share your wisdom.”
4.The officiant visualizes loving, positive energy flowing around the area. They then discuss the ritual and the meaning of infinite love and share information about the couple.
5.Next, they light the unity candle on the fire-safe plate and say: “Divine light, shine upon this union and bless this ceremony.”
6.The officiant then invites the couple to join hands, symbolizing their willing choice to enter into the marriage: “I invite you two to willingly cross your hands over each other and take one another’s hands.”
7.The couple then read their vows to one another. As the vows are read, the officiant wraps the ribbon around the couple’s hands and then ties it, completing the bonding part of the ceremony. The officiant says: “This ribbon symbolizes life, love, and the eternal bond you share. With your vows and this ribbon, you are now bound together as one.”
8.The couple can exchange rings and kiss.
9.The officiant can then unwrap the ribbon from the couple’s hands, leaving the knot intact.
10.The officiant thanks the deity for their presence: “Lord and Lady, we thank you for your guidance. Go if you desire or stay if you’d like.”
11.The officiant then releases the elements in reverse order, beginning facing the north and ending east, thanking each element for their assistance and bidding them farewell. Then they open the circle by saying: “The circle is opened, and energy is released back into the earth.”
12.Allow the unity candle to burn out. Keep the handfasting ribbon for the duration of the relationship.
13.If desired, have a reception with cake and ale.
HANDPARTING
The “parting of ways” ceremony is used to mark the end of a relationship or commitment. If a handfasting (here) was done previously, a parting of ways ceremony, or handparting, is a good way to sever the bond. This ritual is simple and straightforward, and it uses the same handfasting ribbon from the original handfasting ceremony. It is usually performed by a leader or officiant.
Rite Setting
Altar or outdoors
Tools and Supplies:
Wand or athame
Elemental representations (optional)
Deity representation (optional)
Ribbon or cord from original handfasting ceremony
Boline or scissors
PRIOR TO THE RITE
1.Choose an area, indoors or outdoors, to use as an altar for the ceremony.
2.The participants should take a purification bath or shower and prepare themselves for the ceremony.
3.Cleanse the ceremony area.
PREPARING THE ALTAR
Place the decorations around the ceremony area. Place the tools and supplies on the altar. Place the elemental representations facing their respective cardinal directions, and place the deity representation (if using) at the top of the altar.
THE RITE
1.The officiant or leader of the ceremony uses a wand or athame to cast a circle of protection, silently or out loud, and visualizes energy creating a wall around the area.
2.The officiant calls upon the element of air for mental clarity, the element of fire for power, the element of water for fluidity, and the element of earth for stability.
3.The officiant then invokes the deity of your choice by saying: “Lord and Lady, we invite you to bear witness and lend us your guidance.”
4.The officiant then asks the couple: “Why have you come here?”
5.The couple must each speak sincerely, explaining the circumstances that make them ready to end the commitment.
6.The officiant then holds the handfasting ribbon and says: “This ribbon symbolizes life, love, and the eternal bond you share. With this boline, we sever the bond and free you to go your separate ways.”
7.The officiant cuts the knot in the ribbon, symbolically severing the commitment.
8.The officiant thanks the deity for their presence: “Lord and Lady, we thank you for your guidance. Go if you desire or stay if you’d like.”
9.Next, the officiant releases the elements in reverse order, beginning facing north and ending east, thanking each element for their assistance and bidding them farewell. Then they open the circle by saying: “The circle is opened, and energy is released back into the earth.”
10.The handparting ceremony is complete, and both parties can go their separate ways.