Preparation
Assemble materials
Set the altar (working color candle: red)

Procession
All will march from a gathering spot to the sacred circle. A loud procession with drums and singing is preferred, if possible. The couple should be last. At the entrance to the sacred circle (East), The procession should form two lines through which the couple will proceed. The Officiant will block the entrance with the broom until much noise and cheering has commenced. The broom will then be lifted and all will enter, deosil.

Introduction
Tonight we will celebrate the ritual joining of [name1] and [name2] in a ceremony called a handfasting. These two come before you because they have determined that theirs is a special relationship worthy of commitment. Thus, they come here to this circle to have others bear witness and swear support for their success. Today, they will be joined by their hands - a symbol of their commitment to work together. They will be bound by a red cord - a symbol that this union is one of the heart but we know that a union is not just of the heart. For the next year and a day, these two shall be ritually joined by mind, heart, soul, and body. After such time, they will evaluate their relationship and decide if they wish to make a longer commitment or if they would prefer to separate in a ritual called a handparting. We, as members of this circle, come here to support these two in whatever they may decide. Here, now, let us begin this ritual of taking hands.
If you wish to take part in this ceremony, please gather around the altar in a circle and come close enough to take hands. Starting from the East, please introduce yourself by offering a blessing to all, stating your title (if you have one,) your public or ritual name, and your place of origin. After each introduction, we will welcome and honor you. For example, I would say: “Bright Blessings to you all. I am [ritual title and name] of [location].”
And you would respond: “Greetings [title and name]. We welcome and honor you.”
(Begin introductions, deosil for everyone in the circle except the couple. When done:)
Finally, As Officiant of this circle, I present to you those for whom we are gathered in a circle of love and protection.
[Introduce the Couple]
Welcome one and all to this handfasting. Please now take a large step backwards as I prepare our ritual circle.

State Intention
I will now state our intention and then light the working candle.We come before the powers here gathered with the blessings and support of those gathered in this circle to offer, honor, support, and love to [name1] and [name2] who are here to join in a ritual union we call a handfasting. May they come here with good and right intention and may they leave in strength and blessing to begin this phase in their lives together. This is our intent. So Mote It Be.

Banish and Purify
I will now banish and purify this space.
If any ill intent here be, by these sounds I banish thee
Banish old energy, ring bell at altar quarters, widdershins)
By Air and Fire, sanctify
(Place athame in fire, draw point at circle quarters, deosil)
By Water and Earth, purify
(Place water in chalice, put dipping stone in water and draw circle, deosil)
Through the blessings of the Goddess and the God, we claim this space sacred.
(Place tip of athame into chalice)

Cast the Circle
I will now go around the circle and ask if each of you wish to be part of this rite. If you do not wish to be part of the circle, feel free to watch from just outside. You are welcome either way. When asked, how do you come to this circle, the traditional response is, in perfect love and in perfect trust, but you may respond however your heart desires. After responding, step forward into the circle.

(Go around the circle of people clockwise and ask:)
Do you wish to be part of this circle?
How do you come to this circle? (response)
Welcome to this circle of love and trust. Blessed Be
When done, say :
In this circle now we spin, let the magick rite begin.
May we feel safe and sure for the work we shall procure. So Mote It Be.
I invite you to take this wand and offer your energies and blessings to the circle.
(pass wand around circle)

Ground and Center
We will now ground and center. If you wish to participate, please close your eyes. Take a moment to ground yourself with Mother Earth and Father Sky. Center yourself. Clear your mind and focus your thoughts and energies on this circle. Put away all mundane concerns and allow this time to be a gift to yourself. See your energy reaching deep into the earth. See your energy rising into the starry heavens. If you wish, you may take this time to connect with your personal deities. We will use a soft humming sound to center ourselves. Begin now and continue until you hear the ringing of the bell.

Set the Four Quadrants
We will now create a sacred space within this magickal circle by calling on the four directions and the three deities. Then, we will fill this space with our energy.
(May chant “Welcome Spirits”)

Guardians of the East, element of Air, realm of the mind, direction of the rising sun and new beginnings, let us look forward to the joining of this couple before us. Lie the God and Goddess, they each possess elements of masculinity and femininity that are incomplete until they are joined together. May the future bring them great joy and happiness together. Guardians of the East, grant this couple wisdom and understanding. Hail and welcome. Blessed Be!

Guardians of the South, element of Fire, realm of the heart, direction of the noonday sun and fortitude, let us be thankful for the blessings of the hearts and the gift of love. Let the energies of these two be combined into a union that is greater than each of them can be separately. Guardians of the South, grant this couple love and passion. Hail and welcome. Blessed Be!

Guardians of the West, element of Water, realm of the soul, direction of the setting sun and endings, let this be a union for two people to grow together spiritually with strength. Let them be able to experience the mystery and joy of love together. Guardians of the West, grant this couple spiritual growth together. Hail and welcome. Blessed Be!

Guardians of the North, element of Earth, realm of the physical, direction of the dark of night and endings, we look to you to show us signs of the coming Spring. We celebrate the chance for two bodies to join together in the great mystery of life. Let their joining physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually be always in respect and honor for each other. Guardians of the North, grant this couple stability and strength. Hail and welcome. Blessed Be!

Call the Deities
We will now honor the deities through the following litanies. If you wish to join in , please respond by saying “come to us” after each line:

O great Goddess, {come to us.}
Mother of us all, {come to us.}
Blessed Mother of the Earth, {come to us.}
She, whose face shines in the silver moon, {come to us.}
She, who wraps us in her arms of love, {come to us.}
Like a flower that opens its petals to the air, {come to us.}
Like the water that flows through deep forests, {come to us.}
Join us now, O sweet Lady, {come to us.}
O Ancient One of love forever,
bless this union for as long as they are together. [light candle]

O Great God, {come to us.}
Father of us all, {come to us.}
Blessed Father of the sky, {come to us.}
He, whose face shines in the golden sun, {come to us.}
He, who fills us with sacred light, {come to us.}
Like the warm breeze that fills us, {come to us.}
Like the fire that warms and protects us, {come to us.}
Join us now, O great Lord, {come to us.}
O Ancient One of love forever,
bless this union for as long as they are together. [light candle]

For the next litany, please respond with the words “Let us be present.”
O sacred Child, {let us be present.}
Mystery of all, {let us be present.}
Great miracle of creation, {let us be present.}
You, whose face shines in the starlit heavens, {let us be present.}
You, who gives us the strength of life, {let us be present.}
Like the silence that stills us, {let us be present.}
Like the center of the wheel, {let us be present.}
With you, O great force of the universe, {let us be present.}
O Ancient One of love forever,
bless this union for as long as they are together. [light candle]

Raise Energy
We will now fill this circle with our energies of love and sharing. To raise energy, I will ask that you take hands and begin chanting together. Allow this sound to stir the energy deep within you. Bring that loving energy to the circle. Let your inner self be free and open for you are safe here. We will end at the sound of the bell. Let us begin.
(May use “Love, love, love”)

Close the Circle
And now we all this circle enclose. Within its bonds let no troubles dispose.
With love and trust shall we hold fast. For now, at last, the circle is cast.” [ring bell]
(May sing “We Are A Circle”)

Ritual
As symbols that we are the gifts of the gods, the couple will light their own individual candles from the deity candles and then light a single unity candle to represent the joining of their separate flames. Their individual candles will remain lit to symbolize that, although they come together in unity, they are still individuals as well.
[the couple light their own candles and then the unity candle.]

Vows
At this time the couple will share their vows with each other in the presence of these witnesses.
[insert vows]

Toast
Wine has long been a strong symbol. It represents the symbolic blood of the Goddess. It represents transformation since it comes from pure grapes that have been aged and fermented. A union is also a transformation where two grow together and become wise together. Wine is also a drink of passion and joy. It intoxicates the drinker who celebrates this new freedom through singing and merriment. A union is also a time of singing and merriment. Let them now toast each other.
[insert toast, intertwine arms and drink together]

Tying the Knot
This red cord is a symbol of love and passion. As a single strand, it is strong and sturdy. But when it is employed in a knot binding two entities together, it becomes even stronger and sturdier. We fast the hands of this couple together to symbolize the union they have both agreed to join. First, however, I will ask if they come to this union willingly and joyfully.
[name1], do you come to be ritually bound to this person joyfully and out of your own free will? [I do]
[name2], do you come to be ritually bound to this person joyfully and out of your own free will? [I do]
[the hands are bound]
(the couple moves to the family members)
To the family of [name1] here present, we ask you: do you promise to love and support these two who are now bound in a union of love and commitment?
[family responds]
To the family of [name2] here present, we ask you: do you promise to love and support these two who are now bound in a union of love and commitment?
[family responds]
To all those present here in this circle of love and protection we ask you: do you promise to love and support these two who are now bound in a union of love and commitment?
(response)

Sharing
Before we close this ritual, we will take a few moments to let you share your thoughts and feelings about this ritual or about anything you wish to express.
[allow participants to openly speak and share their experiences or other concerns.]

Completion
Now we will end this ritual.
Now this circle we undo, for the magick rite is through
Let this work befall for the good of one and all. So Mote It Be.

Release Deities
O Child of the Stars, great mysterious one, with you our work here has now been done.
If you have come to bless this rite, we thank you now for your bright light.

O God of the Sun, great masculine one, with you our work here has now been done.
If you have come to bless this rite, we thank you now for your bright light.

O Goddess of the Moon, great feminine one, with you our work here has now been done.
If you have come to bless this rite, we thank you now for your bright light.

Release Quadrants
Guardians of the West depart, to your watery realm impart
Bless this union and all here gathered in true mind and heart.
Hail and Farewell! Blessed Be!

Guardians of the South depart, to your watery realm impart
Bless this union and all here gathered in true mind and heart
Hail and Farewell! Blessed Be!

Guardians of the East depart, to your watery realm impart
Bless this union and all here gathered in true mind and heart
Hail and Farewell! Blessed Be!

Guardians of the North depart, to your watery realm impart
Bless this union and all here gathered in true mind and heart
Hail and Farewell! Blessed Be!

Closing Words
Let this be a great time of joy and revelry, for like the God and Goddess, two great entities have come together to create an even greater one. May creativity, happiness, joy, passion, and the ease of suffering that comes from mutual love be with both of you so long as you maintain this union. As a Wiccan Priest of Clan Tynwald, I pronounce these two to be joined in the bonds of love and, by this act, are entered into a mutual commitment of growth until such time as they shall ritually part hands. So Mote It Be!

Kiss
You may now kiss, if you so choose

Ground
Before we bring this ritual to a close, I invite each of you to take a moment to ground your energy. You may do this by silently concentrating on returning your energy to the earth.

Blessings from the Circle
The newly handfasted couple will now go around the circle. When they approach you, feel free to share a personal blessing or a hug. Come now among us so that we may bless you. When we are done, all but the newly joined couple will form two lines beyond the Eastern Gate. (all form two lines, as before. The Officiant blocks the couple from leaving the circle and entering the gauntlet.

Jumping The Broom
Let the couple now, together, jump the broom which symbolizes crossing the threshold from a time of separateness to a time of togetherness. (The broom is placed on the ground. The couple jump the broom at which time bird seed may be thrown.)
Cakes and Ale
The couple may share refreshments to themselves and then the guests.

NEEDS:
black working candle
altar
altar cloth
altar tools
deity candles
quadrant candles
“cakes and ale”
chants
personal candles (red, green)
unity candle (white)
vows
wine
wine glasses
thick red cord
broom or besom