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The
Vows & Handfasting
Welcome.
We are gathered here by the sea, to celebrate with Ryan and
Carina the love they have for each other and their desire to unite
their lives in marriage. Let's take a moment to appreciate the natural
beauty that surrounds us; to listen to the surf, and to see the
incredible colors of the earth, the sea and the sky. Let us breathe in
that beauty, let it fill us up, and then let us breathe it out so that
we may all appreciate and feel the love that we are here today to
witness.
We
come here as a family, as a clan, as a tribe of friends and caring
well wishers to see two individuals join together in life. The love of
one person for another is the core of human existence and every union
is cause for joy. This kind of love is not afraid to make promises. It
is not afraid to work and struggle. It seeks not only to be, but to
continue. This is the kind of love that creates an anchor between two
people, one that they can float away from and then find their way back
safely. It anchors a home and family and creates the bonds of a
community. We celebrate and applaud this love and the promises of Ryan
and Carina. May they always be a living hope for all of us and for the
future.
I
invite you to take a moment with me to invoke the presence of
spirit. For you that may be God, spirit of life, or a feeling of peace.
"Universal
Spirit, thank you for blessing this couple with the
companionship of their friends and family who have brought their love
and support here on this day. We also acknowledge the fellowship of
those who were unable to be here today. Thank you for this beautiful
sunny day and for these two should who have come here to this place to
be joined in marriage. We ask that you bless this couple and that you
smile upon them as they embark on this new step in this journey
together. We ask that you support Ryan and Carina in the challenges
that lay before them and in the continued growth and blossoming of the
their love. Amen. Blessed Be.
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 is this tradition that a blessing is offered in support of
this ceremony.
Blessed
be this union with gifts of the East; Communication of the
heart, mind and body, fresh beginnings with each rising sun. The
knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
Blessed
be this union with gifts of the South, Warmth of hearth and
home, the heat of the heart's passion, the light created by both to
illuminate 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 foundations on
which to build, fertility of the fields to enrich your lives, a stable
home to which you may always return.
Each
of these blessing emphasizes these things which will help you
build a happy and successful partnership. Yet they are only tools. Tool
that you must use in order to create what you seek in this union.
Kahil
Gibran writes:
"Let
there be space in your togetherness, and let the winds of heaven
dance between you. Love on another, but make not a bond of your love.
Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill
each others cup, but drink not from one cup. Give each other bread, but
eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but
let each of you be alone. Even the strings of a lute are alone, though
they quiver with the same music. Give your hearts, but not to each
others keeping. For only the hand of life can contain your hearts. And
stand together, yet not too near together, for the pillars of the
temple stand apart, and the oak and the cypress grow not in each others
shadow".
Ryan
and Carina will now make promises and vows to one another. Let
these promises hold them fast when life is rough and rocky.
(Please
repeat
after me in turn)
By
seeds of all beginnings, I make this oath
By
roots of all depths, I swear to love you with all my might.
By
stem and trunk that reach for the sky, I swear to respect your
soaring spirit.
By
bud that grows I swear never to crush your dreams.
By
leaf that kisses the sun and rain, I swear to share my sorrows and
joy with you.
By
flower that opens to dawn, I swear that I do trust you.
By
fruit that gives forth sweetness, I swear to nourish and support you.
By
seed within the fruit that grows the tree anew, I swear to begin
anew with you again and again.
As
many times as the Gods shall decree, by life and death, by Lord and
Lady, by hand and eye, by heart and spirit, this I do swear to you here
before the fates, and mark my soul forever with your touch.
As
all green things grow, so shall our love, and it's memory be carried
forever beneath the feet of a thousand generations to come.
With
you I will walk my path from this day forward.
(may
I please have
the rings?)
These rings symbolize
all the circles we dance in our lives. These rings will be given and
received as a symbol of the promises made and the union created here
today. Blessed be these rings, may they ever inspire your lives,
passions and dedication to one another. May you wear them gladly
to represent your promises and vows to one another, and may the
partnership that they embody, always yield the ultimate in joy,
serenity, love and passion.
Ryan,
please place the ring that you have chosen, place it on Carina's finger
and repeat after me: "As this ring has no end, neither shall my love
for you".
Carina,
please place the ring that you have chosen on Ryan's finger and repeat
after me: "As this ring has no end, neither shall my love for you'".
Blessed
be the earth we stand upon.
Blessed be the earth we stand upon.
And blessed be these two who stand before us.
Blessed be the eyes of the witnesses,
And blessed be the two upon whom they gaze.
Blessed be the arms of family and friends who embrace them,
And blessed be their hands that entwine in love.
Blessed be our many loving memories,
And blessed be their hearts that join together.
Blessed be this circle of community,
And may our blessings be upon these lovers forever.
Borrowing from an ancient Celtic
tradition, Ryan and Carina
will be joined in a ceremony known as handfasting. Their hands will be
tied
together with a knot that binds them in such a way that they choose to
be
bound. This ritual symbolizes their oneness not only with each other
but with
all creation and thus their union is blessed, it's sacredness
recognized by all
creation.
Please join hands. (start wrapping cord) "May the
bond of your vows be no heavier to bear than this
cord." (Cord is tied in three knots)
Above you are the stars, below you
the stones. As time
passes, remember, like a star your love should remain constant. Like
the earth
it should be firm. Have patience with one another. For storms will come
but
they will go quickly. Be free in the giving of affection and warmth.
Now you will feel no rain for each of you
will be shelter
for the other.
Now you will feel no cold, for each of you will be warmth to
the other.
Now there will be no loneliness’, for each of you will be
companion to the other.
Now you are two persons but there is only one life before
you.
May beauty surround you both in the journey ahead and through
all the years.
May happiness be your companion and your days together be
good and long upon the earth.
Let the sun and the moon and the stars and
these our
brothers and sisters bear witness that Ryan and Carina have been joined
together and are husband and wife.
You may now kiss to seal your vow.
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