Glossary - exWitch Australia (formerly 'Born Again Pagan')

HANDFASTING, Ceremony of

My Handfasting to Willow d'Wisp - High Priestess of the 'Circle of the Mystic Moon' Coven

My Handfasting to Willow d'Wisp,
the High Priestess of the
'Circle of the Mystic Moon' Coven (2001)

Although not a specifically solely a Neo-Pagan practice, in Neo-Paganism and most Wiccan Traditions, this is the joining together of a couple in marriage. They vow to remain in partnership for as long as love lasts (often renewing their vows after a year and a day), after which each is permitted to leave the relationship and go their separate ways.

Handfasting is performed within a Magick Circle, officiated by a High Priestess and/or High Priest, and usually occurs in a period when the moon is waxing. Those attending usually either dress in white or are Skylad (that is, naked - literally 'clad only by the sky').

The couple may exchange gold or silver rings inscribed with their Craft Names in Runes. In some ceremornies, the couple jumps over a broomstick for good luck (see BROOM). The high priestess uses the broomstick to symbolically sweep away all evil.

The Great Rite of sexual union may be performed either symbolically or in actuality - though this is by no means considered an 'essential' by many Wiccans. As in all marriage ceremonies, the handfasting ends with great feasting and merriment.

Unless the High Priestess or High Priest is a legally ordained minister (most are not), the handfasting is preceded or followed by a legal marriage ceremony.

Some Covens also perform divorce rites, which are called "going of the ways" or "handpartings." In practice it is hardly ever enacted. Like most handfasting rites, they are symbolic and are not recognized legally.

PLEASE NOTE:
One of the major problems with 'defining' Paganism and/or its beliefs and practices is that it is an 'organic' movement, in that it is undergoing constant change and re-evaluation from within, and as such any 'one-size-fits-all' approach to understanding Paganism will be found wanting.

Due to the very 'organic' nature of Paganism, and the many differing Paths and Traditions within it, in many cases no one definition may be universally accepted by all Pagans. Therefore, where such cases of possible conflicting and/or contradictory meanings of certain terms occur I have endevoured to give not only the generally accepted meaning, but also any major 'variations' in belief and/or practice.

Christians who believe this difference in meaning of certain key terms, beliefs and practices to be unique to Paganism need to remember that such conflicts also arise within the Body of Christ - the Church. Take for instance the differing practices amongst Christians concerning Baptism and the different attitudes towards women in the clergy.

- Jean-Luc

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