N, L & J
May 1, 2004

OPENINGS, WELCOMINGS, GREETINGS
We stand before this company, on this beautiful day, to witness the joining of Norh, Luna and Jen.
Today, before the Gods and Goddesses, you shall witness a transformation as Norh, Luna and Jen share vows and become one.

We come here today to witness the joyous celebration of the love between them, supporting them in their decision to be joined as one in the sight of the Gods and Goddesses.
Blessed be those to about to be united in the bonds of love, as their lives’ paths now merge to become a singular road paved with love and as they are united in marriage.

CHARGE
You stand before the Gods and Goddesses, seeking to become one with each other. You have entered into this union with open eyes and full hearts.

You are aware of the reality of the vows you are about to speak to one another; of the responsibility that comes when a partnership is created. If there is any reason within your hearts that this ceremony should not continue at this time, I charge you to voice it now, for marriage is based in honesty and trust, and only with those things can you successfully create a partnership.

HP/S: Swear you now, on this sacred blade, that there is no reason known to you that this union should not precede.

Answer: I do so swear.

HP/S: Is there any reason known to you why this partnership should not be made?
Answer: There is none.

BLESSING OF THE RINGS
By Air, by Fire, by Water, and by Earth do I bless and consecrate these rings. (The HP/S may present the rings to each direction/element).

These rings, a token of your love for one another, serve as a reminder that all in life is a cycle; all comes to pass and passes away and comes to pass again.

May the element of Air bless these rings. Air is at the beginning of all things, the direction of East, and the dawning of a new day. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continuing renewal of love. (Waves rings through incense smoke)

May the element of Fire bless these rings. Fire is the passion within your love, the spark of love itself, the heat of anger, and the warmth of compassion. It is the direction of South, the heat of midday. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with continual warmth. (Passes the rings through flame)

May the element of Water bless these rings. Water nourishes and replenishes us; the waters of emotion and harmony pour vitality into our lives. It is the direction of West, the afternoon and evening. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with fulfillment and contentment. (Submerges the rings in water)

May the element of Earth bless these rings. All life springs from the earth and returns to the earth, the direction of North, and the nighttime. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with strength and solidity. (Touches the rings to earth or a stone)

May the God and Goddess bless these rings, the symbol of union, with happiness, wholeness, and love.
I consecrate these rings with the element of Air, the breath of life. I consecrate these rings with the element of Fire for the warmth of love. I consecrate these rings with the element of Water to wash them clean. I consecrate these rings with the element of Earth for solidity and stability.

Air for hopes and dreams; Fire for the spark of love; Water for harmony and healing; and Earth for strength. May these rings be so Blessed.

DECLARATION OF INTENT
In Address to the Partners
Today, we are here for 3 reasons. We are here to honor the relationship that Luna and Norh have had for 15 years. We are here to wish Norh and Luna and Jen well in their voyage of discovery, as they explore the new paths that their relationship will take. But most importantly, we are here, in the sight of the Gods and Goddesses, to share the joy in the relationship that Jen has found with Norh and Luna.
[The TRIAD joins together in a circle in front of the PRIEST AND PRIESTESS.]
PRIESTESS: Over time, and with each relationship comes wisdom in love. You are enriched by all the loves you have ever had, and you bring that wealth to this relationship. May your share the bounties you have gained, and continue to grow in that wealth.
Luna speaks first, remarking on the vast changes she and Norh have undergone, and that she welcomes Jen into their family.
Norh speaks next, placing a ring on Luna’s finger, speaking of the changing of their relationship through the years, and how the ceremony is a new beginning for the triad, as well as how he will always love Luna no matter how much their family expands.
Norh next places the other ring on Jen’s finger, speaking to of new beginnings, and his unending love.
Jen thanks Luna’s trust and generosity, assuring Luna that she will always take Luna’s feelings and needs into consideration.
Luna and Jen then place a ring on Norh’s finger speaking of the changing relationship and the love they both share for Norh.

PRIESTESS:
If we learn no more of in life, let it be this: The law of life is love unto all beings. Without love, life is nothing. Without love, death has no meaning. Love is before life, and after death. Therefore, in the sight, and with the blessings of everyone here, we join with you, in celebrating your expanded marriage.

GUESTS:
Heard and witnessed!
HP/S: These things you have promised to your partner, before the Gods and Goddesses. May you ever be mindful and strive to keep the vows you have spoken.

BINDING
With a Handfasting cord:
As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound.
Woven into this cord, imbued into its very fibers, are all the hopes of your friends and family, and of yourselves, for your new life together. With the fashioning of this knot do I tie all the desires, dreams, love, and happiness wished here in this place to your lives for as long as love shall last.
In the joining of hands and the fashion of a knot, so are your lives now bound, one to another.
This cord thus binds you to your vow. May this knot remain tied for as long as love shall last.
May this cord draw your hands together in love, never to be used in anger. May the vows you have spoken never grow bitter in your mouths.
As any child discovers when they are learning to tie their own shoes, the first move is to cross the ends. The cross creates the Rune Gebo (X), which is the Rune of partnership and union. As this cord binds your hands, so is your partnership held by the symbol of this knot. May it be granted that what is done before the gods be not undone by man.
Three entwined in love, bound by commitment and fear, sadness and joy, by hardship and victory, anger and reconciliation, all of which brings strength to this union. Hold tight to one another through both good times and bad, and watch as your strength grows.

By Water:
As the water is poured and the three become one, the parts become invisible, indefinable, a true whole.
Take up now your vessels, which represent your own persons. The water within them is as your own lives, similar yet separate. In the mixing of these fluids in the singular vessel of your union are your lives thus blended. See how the three, once separate, are a complete whole. So now are your lives.
Water to water, and soul to soul. Love binds and blends us all.

By Flame:
Let the fires of your love for one another and the fire of your spirits mingle here and create a singular flame.
By the bringing and sharing of light, display your intent; let the three fires of your spirits and love for one another merge as one.
Fires of passion and love, join here and become one, as do these people before you.
Each of you take a candle representing your singular selves. Let them meet and unite here at the center. Now extinguish your singular lights, and rejoice in the enduring flame of your love.
Take up and light the candles before you, representing your individual lives. Examine the flame, how it can warm, how it can energize, and how it can harm; fire is both creation and destruction. As you light the candle of your union, bring into it the fire of your love, the warmth of your compassion, and the spark of creativity. So Mote It Be.

By Blood
As the blood of your bodies joins and becomes one, so do your lives and spirits merge.
At the times when you give and receive emotional injuries, recall here how your blood has mingled and how these small hurts may quickly heal with compassion and trust. Bound by love, bound in spirit, and by your life’s blood, I charge you to be always mindful of your vows.
Flesh to flesh, essence to essence, water of life mingles here and joins you as one.
As the waters of the world are one, and the light of your spirits burn with one flame, so is the essence of your bodies joined here.

As in the most ancient of rites, the giving of the essence of the self, the sacrifice of something vital, let these drops of blood be both given and received to strengthen the bond between you.

BLESSINGS AND BENEDICTIONS
May the Winds of communication blow ever between you; may the Fires of love sustain you; may the Waters of life heal and soothe you; and may the strength of the Earth bind and steady you throughout your time together.

God and Goddess, in Your sight have these people promised themselves to one another, made vows before You and these people. Bless them in their new life together.
As the Air you breathe brings you life, may you always speak truthfully to one another. (For truly does each falsehood act as a little death).

As the Fire of love burns within you, may you always find a spark even in your anger. (For without Love, we are but weak shadows upon the stones).

As the Waters of life flow within your bodies, may your personal tides move in unison, and your emotions flow. (For Water contains life, sustains life, and without it we are but dry husks).

As the Earth grounds and steadies you, may you always remain strong for one another. (For strength adds to strength and builds upon itself).

All this do I charge you, for as long as Love shall last.

May the God and Goddess bless this union. May all who encounter it be blessed with love. May your lives be full and your hurts be few. So Mote It Be.

By the grace of the God and Goddess has your love, through Their love, brought you together upon this day. May the Gods sustain and strengthen your bond, bless you and keep you, for as long as love shall last.
By the Winds that bring change, by the Fire of love, by the Seas of fortune and the strength of the Earth do I bless this union.

CLOSING AND PRESENTATION
You have witnessed the promises made by Norh, Luna and Jen one to another, and the exchange of the symbols of their union. They are now connected to experience together whatever life may bring them.
You have made your vows, one to the other, before the Gods and this company, and exchanged tokens of your love. By the power of your love, I do pronounce you Wife, Husband, and Wife. You may now kiss one another.

I am happy/honored to present to you, N, L and J.
In the binding of yourselves have you created life anew. Step forth, therefore, into that new life, and rejoice in your love.

Through the powers of Love, and the blessing of the God and Goddess do I now pronounce you Handfast! Blessed Be!