A few people have wondered about Handfasting after the 'nuptuals' this weekend. Here's a short description from a spectator of the particular ceremony held for CatsPHiddle and Micca in the Black Lion, Plaistow. (Please note, this is not how it's done everywhere, just how this particular group do it).

The venue was swept clean with a broom and the table set up with various items, including candles for each quarter, incense, salt, annointing oil, water and iron (an anvil in this case). People in robes, representing the four quarters/elements and the priest and priestes gathered around the table. Everyone in the room was called to the circle, which the priest then 'cast' ~ a stang (a staff decorated with various sacred symbols and items) was passed over our heads, and the god and goddess invoked to enter the circle and protect us whilst we were in it. The circle was then blessed with the elements and the quarters called. Calling a quarter is asking the particular compass point to come to us and bring with us its peculiar blessing, one of the four elements (earth, air, fire and water).

Once this was done, the priest called for the groom to be brought to the circle. He was stopped at the 'gate' by the gatekeepers holding staffs which he had to ceremonially cut through to be allowed into the circle. He was introduced to the circle and taken round the four elements to be blessed. The blessings were of air, represented by incense; fire - a lighted candle passed over the head; water - which was sprinkled over him (with great gusto I may add!) and earth - represented by salt.

Then the bride and her attendants were called in, ceremonially cutting her way in as the groom had done. She was taken around the circle and blessed by the elements in the same way as the groom, as were the rings (carried on a cushion by Limpit, taking the role of handmaiden with unaccustomed solemnity).

The bride and groom then held hands over the anvil and had a red cord looped over them. They made their promise to live with each other for a year and a day and then to either renew their vows or go their separate ways. The cord was pulled, they withdrew their hands and were 'married'. They were presented to the quarters and received a gift from each. Salt gave them bread, with the wish they would never go hungry; air gave them some incense to burn, to signify inspiration; fire gave them a candle with the wish they would never go cold and finally from Water, some mead, that they may always have laughter. To wish the couple luck, every one was invited to eat and drink the biscuits and wine that was passed around, and to wish the bride and groom luck, with a kiss.

Their final act was to 'jump the broom' and an invitation was issued to any there who wanted to renew their own vows to jump the broom after them. The circle was then opened but not broken, so that we might 'merry part and merry meet again'.

And that's when the party started!!!

LTS