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know now before you go further, that
since your lives have crossed in this life you have formed ties
between each other. As you seek to enter this state of matrimony you
should strive to make real, the ideals which give meaning to both this
ceremony and the institution of marriage.
With full awareness, know that within
this circle you are not only declaring your intent to be hand fasted
before your friends and family, but you speak that intent also to your
creative higher powers.
The promises made today and the ties
that are bound here greatly strengthen your union; they will cross the
years and lives of each soul's growth.
Do you still seek to enter this
ceremony?
Yes, We Seek to Enter.
In times past it was believed that
the human soul shared characteristics with all things divine. It is
this belief which assigned virtues to the cardinal directions; East,
South, West and North. It is in this tradition that a blessing is
offered in support of this ceremony.
Blessed be this union with the gifts
of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body Fresh
beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth
found in the sharing of silences.
Blessed be this union with the gifts
of the South. Warmth of hearth and home The heat of the heart's
passion The light created by both To lighten the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts
of the West. The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of
the river The refreshing cleansing of the rain The all encompassing
passion of the sea.
Blessed be this union with the gifts
of the North Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields
to enrich your lives A stable home to which you may always return.
Each of these blessings from the four
cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help you build
a happy and successful union. Yet they are only tools. Tools which you
must use together in order to create what you seek in this union.
I bid you look into each others eyes.
[Groom's Name], Will you cause her
pain?
I May (What was actually said was an emphatic yes)
Is that you intent?
No
[Bride's Name], Will you cause him
pain?
I may
Is that you intent?
No
*To Both*
Will you share each other's pain and seek to ease it?
Yes
And so the binding is made. Join your
hands
*First cord is draped across the bride and grooms hands*
[Bride's Name], Will you share his
laughter?
Yes
[Groom's Name], Will you share her laughter?
Yes
*To Both*
Will both of you look for the brightness in life and the positive in
each other?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Second chord is draped across the couples hands*
[Bride's Name], Will you burden him?
I may
Is that you intent?
No
[Groom's Name], Will you burden her?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
*To Both*
Will you share the burdens of each so that your spirits may grow in
this union?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape third chord across the couples hands*
[Bride's Name], will you share his
dreams?
Yes
[Groom's Name], will you share her
dreams?
Yes
*To Both*
Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?
Yes
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fourth chord across the couples hands*
[Groom's Name], will you cause her
anger?
I may
Is that you intent?
No
[Bride's Name], will you cause him
anger?
I may
Is that your intent?
No
*To Both*
Will you take the heat of anger and use it to temper the strength of
this union?
We Will
And so the binding is made.
*Drape fifth chord across the couples hands*
[Bride's Name], Will you honor him?
I will
[Groom's Name], Will you honor her?
I will
*To Both*
Will you seek to never give cause to break that honor?
We shall never do so
And so the binding is made.
*Drape sixth chord across the couples hands*
*Tie chords together while saying:*
The knots of this binding are not formed by these chords but instead
by your vows. Either of you may drop the chords, for as always, you
hold in your own hands the making of breaking of this union.
*Once chords are tied together they
are removed and placed on altar* |
