Beltaine Ritual
A May Pole should be erected in the center of the
circle prior to ritual.
Circle
is cast, Quarters called, and Gods invoked.
Groom is summoned to stand at the gate of the circle. Then the Bride is summoned. The
Bride and Groom are not to see each other before the Handfasting.
The Summoner joins the couples hands (Bride on the left, groom on the right)
and stands with them at the Gate, and alerts the Priestess that they are ready to enter.
HPS – “Today you seek to join your lives in sacred Vows.
Know now that these vows are being taken within the boundaries between the worlds and will be heard by not only your friends
and loved ones, but your Goddess and God. These vows that you speak today will strengthen your unions and bind you to
each other for 1 year and 1 day (Or if legal marriage, for the remainder of this lifetime). Do you still seek to enter?
Bride and Groom answer.
HPS cuts a doorway and Summoner escorts the Couple to stand before the altar.”
HPS – “As it is the truth of all things, everything which
is alive, whole and holy, must contain the five sacred elements that create all things. To make your union whole, you
must become as one, therefore you must be joined by each element. Priest, escort them to the east.”
The HP escorts the couple to
the East Quarter. HP – “Guardian of the Eastern Portal, these have come to seek handfasting. If you see
the truth of it, bless their union with Earth.”
Eastern Guardian (holding a plate with bread and a green cord on it) – “I
am Earth. I am the element of birth, spring, and renewal. I give you beginnings and foundation, I am the dawn
of your togetherness, and I bless you with steadfastness, groundedness, and endurance. I bless you with nurturing, and
understanding, fertility, security and prosperity. May the blessings of earth by upon you (feed them bread). I
join your bodies together in strength and beauty that you may bring forth new life with the power of Earth (take the green
cord and wrap their clasped hands in a loose spiral wrap).”
HP escorts them to the South Quarter. HP – “Guardian of the
Southern Portal, these have come to seek handfasting. If you see their passion, bless their union with Fire.”
Southern Guardian (holding a
lit red candle and a vial of oil) – “I am Fire. I am the element of protection, defense, desire, and instinct.
I provide the quickening in your heart that drives you to bond together. I bless you with sheltering contentment that
warms your home and drives away ill fates. I bless you with courage, and fidelity, trust, and passion. I connect
your consciousness in power and compassion that you may always have awareness for the others needs so that you will always
be the one to ignite their dreams with the power of fire (place the candle in their clasped and bound hands and annoint their
heads with oil).”
HP
escorts them to the West Quarter. HP – “Guardian of the Western Portal, these have come to seek handfasting.
If you see their depth of their feelings for each other, bless their union with Water.”
Western Guardian (holding a chalice filled with
wine) – “I am Water. I am the element of death, rebirth, transformation, and initiation. I test you
with fear, so that you may find love. I face you with obstacles so that you may grow. I force you to look at ugliness
so that you may find beauty. I give you pain, so that you may know love. Therefore know this, your love will last
as long as you are learning and growing together. I bless you with the ability to accept and trust the feelings that
threaten to overwhelm you, and to allow yourself to float upon the waves of emotion and welcome the storms that deepen
your devotion and the healing showers that strengthen your love. I join your hearts with honor and humility that you
may always recognize how your actions effect the other, and have the ability to overcome pride with forgiveness through the
power of water (give them both a drink and place the cup in the man's free hand).”
HP escorts them to the North Quarter. HP –
“Guardian of the Northern Portal, these have come to seek handfasting. If you see mutual respect and adoration
for each other, bless their union with Air.”
Northern Guardian (holding an athame and a sensor or smudge stick) – “I am Air.
I am the element of thought and mental clarity. I breathe understanding and resolution into your darkest conflict through
communication. I give you the offensive stance necessary to achieve your goals and aspirations. I empower you
with ambition, teamwork, diplomacy, compromise, humor, and laughter. I bring the winds of change into your minds and
join you together as one breath with joy and reverence that you may always find the answers you are looking for within the
boundaries of your selves through the power of air (places the athame in the woman's free hand and smudges them both).”
HPS – “Please turn
and face each other. The four elements have blessed your union and given you the tools to make your handfasting whole.
You must provide the fifth element of spirit with the sacred vows you speak to each other. These vows will create a
new reality within which you will spend the coming year and a day (or the rest of your life).”
Groom (holding up the chalice to the Bride) –
“As I hold up this Chalice I know I am holding you in my hands, soul, heart, and mind. I vow to you before Gods
and Goddesses and all who are listening here today that I will : (couple's personal vows inserted here).”
Bride (holding up the Athame
to the Groom) – “As I hold up this Athame I know I am holding you in my hands, soul, heart, and mind. I
vow to you before Gods and Goddesses and all who are listening here today that I will : (couple's personal vows inserted
here).”
sample
= always honor, love, respect, and cherish you. That I will heed your counsel. I will turn to you when I need
help, and help you when you are in need. I will strive to fill your days with joy, beauty, passion, and humor.
I will honor you, be faithful to you, care for you, and provide for you. I give myself to you in perfect love and perfect
trust. So Mote It Be.
Then
the Couple perform the symbolic Great Rite. HPS and HP stand on either side of the couple building an energy field
around the two.
Groom
– “As the Chalice is to the Goddess.”
Bride – “The Athame is to the God.”
Together – “Joined together they bring
blessedness.”
HP
takes the athame and the chalice.
HPS – “It is done.” (the HPS takes the ends of the green cord and ties them in a knot around
the couples hands) “The Handfasting is complete and the couple is as one. You may kiss the bride.
(The HPS draws a circle in the ground around them with the sword saying) Let no man come between what the Gods have brought
together today.”
(If
rings are to be exchanged) HPS – “The exchange of rings is one of the deepest symbols of a union. It is
a constant reminder of the sacred union. Today we joined two people into one. This ring symbolizes that wholeness
with no beginning and no end.”
(If cups are to be exchanged) - HPS – “The sharing of the chalice
represents the blending of our hearts. A couple exchanging cups is equivalent to exchanging your heart. The Chalice
should always be recognized as a symbol of our emotions, and a wedding chalice should be revered and treated with as much
love and care as you would your lovers heart, for within it is the depth of your love.”
HP raises the chalice in a toast to the couple,
and drinks then passes the Chalice around the circle so that each guests may bless the couple.
Then the cake is brought forth, and the top layer
removed. HP – “As the cake represents your abundance, let us always remember to save first, when there is
plenty, so that we may have a surplus when in need.”
The cake is blessed by the Groom, and the Couple feed each other, then cake is passed
around to the guests.
A
broom is laid before the bride and groom, and they jump over it together. Everyone cheers and throws rose petals, bird
seed, or whatever the couple has chosen to be showered in.
Then the couple and others who want to join in dance around the May Pole so symbolize
the consecration of the Goddess and God's marriage.
Close quarters, end circle.
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