Handfasting

[Purple_Rhapsody]

I'm considering asking my boyfriend if he would consider participating in a handfasting ritual with me. Anyone else ever approached you BOYFRIEND? He's Christian, not hardcore though, he's open to understanding my religion. I'm not sure he would go along with a full blown Goddess Ritual. Even if it is binding our souls together! He's madly in love w/ me. I gave him some information on the rituals today. Let him read though it. Tomorrow I'll see what he says about all that and ask him if he would like to participate! I'm nervous and confused. Do you think there would be a way to make the ceremony a little more Christian friendly?

[nitemarehippygirl]

sorry to be ignorant, but now i'm curious... what is handfasting? :)

[ForestNymphe]

sorry to be ignorant, but now i'm curious... what is handfasting? :)
Merry Meet.
A handfasting is a pagan union, akin to marriage which traditionally lasts a year and one day. Some choose to make such vows lifelong, and make it legal through the state.

[velvet]

Maybe you could make it more 'christian friendly' by reciting nice pieces of the bible (the ones about how love conquers everything.. you know.. the good parts ;)).. or including some Christian symbolism as well. With the whole balance thingie, I think there's room for his male God next to a Goddess ritual.. don't you think? Also.. if he really doesn't like the idea, you could have a very christian wedding but with the handfasting ritual instead of the rings or something like that.
Basically, such a ritual is about love and being together.. and asking 'whatever is out there' for his/her/it's blessing.. so.. if you're creative and he's openminded, it must be a pretty nice party!

Oh hey.. it would be reallllly cool if you could maybe post some pics of the event, since I've never seen a handfasting and only know little theory about it.

Good luck!!

[velvet]

Oohh... and check this website (especially the 'subtle wedding/handfasting' bit):

http://www.handfasting.info/h_rituals.html

[Sage-Phoenix]

Thanks for the link, I found it ages ago but forgot to bookmark it (have now :))

Never found a soul I'd want to be handfasted to. Alas I live in hope. It seems such a beautiful thing, like a wedding only cooler and 'more me'.

Good luck and blessed be

[Purple_Rhapsody]

A handfasting is by tradition a trail and error thing. It tests to see if you two are really ment to be. At 16 and 17 years old, this is the closest thing Joshua and I can get to a real marriage. I still haven't asked him his opinion on the matter yet, he's still reading up on it. Eventually I'll come out and ask him what he thinks and if he would like to be handfasted to me!

[cerridwen]

Sorry but aren't you a bit young at 16 to be considering marriage or handfasting? This is a bit more important than just going steady....

[Samhain]

Please see this piece I have written on Handfasting
http://hipforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251152

[mamaKCita]

you know, a lot of traditional christian ceremonies INCLUDE the hand-fasting and broom jumping, especially in the appalachian region where some of the old tradions are alive and well. i know several scottish and irish friends who had a traditional mass and STILL had their hands tied together and jumped the broom. it was very moving. i've also known a few who were purely hand-fasted, though i didn't attend the ritual. i must admit, the first time i heard of it, in my youth, i thought it was silly. but i think it's beautiful..

when i married, it was a traditional ceremony. however, in honor of my maid of honor, i went the traditional pagan route of handing off my bouquet ceremonially to my maid of honor, instead of tossing it over my shoulder. and it WORKED. she is blissfully married and enjoying her goddess given good fortune.

[Dark||Nomad]

I wonder if the girl ever went through with it? Wow that was 3 years ago...

[dixie_pixy]

haha, yeah, I remember writing this post YEARS ago! So, for those who are curious, yes we did have a handfasting and we are still together, 3 years later. Amazing huh?

Anyway, this is my first post in a few months! Just wanted to say I'm back... so now you have to quit talking about me behind my back... haha ! LOVE

[Sage-Phoenix]

That's great, congrats :)

[Bumble]

wow, congrats! I love hearing success stories! :)