Handfasting Ceremony
We Can Create A Ceremony For Any Important or Significant Event.
Similar to the Naming Ceremony this warm yet
practical event is designed by Yourselves with help from Pat and Ella. This
Ceremony might be the only ceremony to take place between the couple. It may be
to renew their commitment to each other and to make new vows or renew old ones, regardless of
what the original format was....... Pat and Ella had a civil service with the
county registrar in Dungarvan to legalise their union in accordance with the
laws of the land. The marriage between them followed the format set out here.
Introduction
The opportunity can be taken to explain what will happen and why it will be done
in this particular way. Its often nice to reassure guests who might not be
familiar with handfasting that it is all coming from a good place, a place of
light and not evil in any way. Pats daughter Sorcha plated the handfasting cord
for the event.
Structure
The Shaman blesses the location and makes it a safe and sacred place for the
wonderful event that is to take place.
A Short Extract from the blessing;
Mother Earth
We have gathered for Holy and sacred purpose,
We call on your children to witness to this also
The Stone People, The Plant People
The Four-legged, The Two-legged, The Creepers and Crawlers.
The Finned, The Furred and the winged ones.
All Our Relations |
The couple and witnesses, (if any) are invited to gather close to the Shaman.
The event can begin by making an invitation prayer to the Angels, Elements and
their Elementals to bear witness as love is affirmed between the two
people who are marrying each other. Sometimes it can be appropriate to have a
Christian reading, OR not, it is up to you. Corinthians 13:1-8 in its entirety
is a popular extract from the Christian Bible.
The vows can be as simple or as elaborate as you wish, having regard to the
solemn nature of the occasion. The couple will pledge their love to each other
for as long as life and love shall last. Tokens of their care for each other can
be exchanged. Pat gave Ella, Crystals, Gem Stones and Sage as tokens of his
Craft. She gave him Bread, Art Brushes and a Fairy as tokens of her crafts.
There is a lovely invocation as the hands are ceremonially bound by a ribbon or
cord, which is later given to the wife for safe keeping. Then the Shaman closed
the sacred space that was created. In the case of Pat and Ella this was followed
by them planting a tree together. The tree symbolised their hope to grow
together, their first act together and just so much more. While the tree is
being planted some skip along joyful music played by a
lone violinist. After the tree was planted The Shaman gave a general blessing to
all who were there.
Other Ceremonial Services
We Can Create A Ceremony For Any Important or Significant Event.
Other Ceremonial Services available at Cottage Retreat are the Naming Ceremony,
Companionship and The Funeral Rite.
Further details and an explanation of the Naming Ceremony, Companionship and The
Funeral Rite can be found from the links below:
Naming Ceremony
Companionship and The Funeral Rite
We can facilitate you at our Cottage or at a location of your choice. For
further information on all of our Ceremonial Services please
contact Pat or Ella using the details at the top of this page for further
details.
Site Map
Home Page, Retreats with Pat
and Ella, Retreat Themes, Ceremonial Services
(Companionship and The Funeral Rite),
Handfasting Ceremony, Naming Ceremony,
House Clearing (Geopathic Stress, Ley Lines,
Negative Residual Energy and Spirit or Elemental Trouble),
Past Life Regression,
Tree and Earth Energies Explored - Experience
Dowsing, Shamanic Training,
Reiki Courses,
Crystal and Energy Healing/Chakra
Balancing, Card Readings,
Meditation,
Aromatherapy,
Ki-Massage | 
