The Songbird/Caestus Pax Handfasting

Handfasting Ceremony
for
Samantha "Songbird" Spencer Page
and
John "Caestus Pax" Carter

Somewhere there waiteth in this world of ours
For one lone soul another lonely soul,
Each choosing each through all the weary hours
And meeting strangely at one sudden goal.
Then blend they, like green leaves with golden flowers,
Into one beautiful and perfect whole;
And life's long night is ended, and the way
Lies open onward to eternal day.
(Destiny — Edwin Arnold)

Attendants

Flower Girl: Amber Lynn Page
Ring Bearer: Robert Spencer
Maid of Honor: Jennifer "Slider" Landers
Best Man: Anthony "Lightning" Chang

Officiants

Priestess: Amanda Shannon, High Priestess of the Coven of the Singing Tower
Priest: Reverend Arthur Freeman, Unitarian Universalist Church

The Priest and Priestess stand before the assembled guests. They join hands and raise their arms.

Priest: May this place of this rite be consecrated before the gods. For we gather here in a ritual of love, with two who would be wedded. John and Samantha, come forward, to stand here before us and before the gods of Nature.

Groom's music begins. The Ring Bearer, Best Man, and Groom processes in and stand to the side of the altar. When they reach the altar, the bride's music begins, and the Flower Girl, Maid of Honor, and Bride process in.

Priestess (facing East): Be with us here, O powers of the air! With your clever fingers, tie closely the bonds between these two!

Priest (facing South): Be with us here, O powers of fire! Give their love and passion your all-consuming ardor!

Priestess (facing West): Be with us here, O powers of water! Give them the deepest of love and richness of body, of soul, and of spirit!

Priest (facing North): Be with us here, O powers of earth! Let your strength and constancy be theirs as long as they desire to remain together!

Both: Blessed Be! (Note: "Blessed Be" is used much the same way as "Amen," and it is usual for everyone to repeat it after the Priest/ess.)

Priest (to Groom): If you do truly desire, John, to marry this woman, I bid you present to her your blade of power. Pledge your weapon to her, unfailingly ever to be at her service.

Groom (to Bride, kneeling and offering sword): Gracious and lovely one, accept my pledge of love to thee. I pledge this sword, as I pledge my soul, ever to be in your service. Like this blade shall my love be strong, like this steel shall my love be enduring. Accept it, O beloved one, for that which is mine shall also be yours.

Bride: (takes sword, holds it to her forehead, returns it back to him, bidding him rise): My lord, I accept your pledge of love as I do accept the pledge of your blade. Thou knowest what is in my heart as I know what is in thine. The magic of my will, and of my love, shall ever be yours.

Priestess (to Bride): If you dost truly desire, Samantha, to marry this man, I bid you present to him a jewel of great value as token of the love you have for him.

Bride (to Groom, kneeling and offering up jewel): Thou who art handsome and strong, accept my jewel, my treasure, as pledge that all which I am and all which I possess shall be yours. My love shall ever endure, and shall flourish as the vine and the tree.

Groom (takes jewel, holds it to his forehead, returns it back to her, bidding her rise): My lady, I accept your pledge of love as I do accept the pledge of your jewel. Thou knowest what is in my heart as I know what is in thine. All which I have now, or shall have, shall ever be yours.

Priest (to Bride and Groom): Place your right hands over this wand, and your rings, his hand over hers.

Priestess: Above you are the stars, below you are the stones. As time passes, remember . . . Like a star should your love be constant, like the earth should your love be firm. Possess one another, yet be understanding. Have patience each with the other, for storms will come, but they will go quickly. Be free in giving of affection and of warmth. Have no fear, and let not the ways or words of the unenlightened give you unease. For the Light is with you, now and always!

Priest (to Bride): Is it your wish, Samantha, to become one with this man?

Priestess (to Groom): Is it your wish, John, to become one with this woman?

Groom (takes ring, places it on Bride's finger): In the name of the Source I pledge thee my troth, to love and cherish thee through all lifetimes, for even though our paths may later diverge, yet will I always be thy true friend, to love thee and lend thee aid and protection, by the power of the starry mill of heaven, beyond the imaginable reaches of time and knowledge.

Bride (takes ring, places it on Groom's finger): In the name of the Triple Goddess I pledge thee my troth, to love and cherish thee through all lifetimes, for even though our paths may later diverge, yet will I always be thy true friend, to love thee and lend thee aid and protection, by the power of the starry mill of heaven, beyond the imaginable reaches of time and knowledge.

Priestess: Then as the Goddess, the God, and the Old Ones are witness to this rite I now proclaim you husband and wife! Thus are thy hands fasted . . . The Two are One, the work of joy is done, and yet begun! Blessed Be!