I recently attended the wedding of a dear friend of mine and was asked to perform a ceremony to bless the hand fasting cord that would be made that evening from a collective of 6' lengths of ribbon, cord, chain, scarf, etc. that each of the female attendees were to bring to the ceremony. There were at least 20 women there, each bearing their own contribution to be added together to make the handfasting cord.
There were women from all ethnicities, geographic locations, backgrounds, ages and of course religious beliefs. When I first started to smudge the outside deck with sage, sprinkle some sea salt in a circle and light the candles, there were a few whispered murmurs. Several of the older participants with European roots got a wee bit nervous. They were assured by those who knew me that I would not be conjuring a devil, or sacrificing a baby.
When the ceremony started, you could have heard a pin drop...everyone was silent. It soon became clear as I spoke the words that simple faith was at work here. That same simple faith had brought us together in love and joy to make something magical for one of our own. Regardless of our religious beliefs, we were gathered as willing participants to imbue our strand with the magic of all our best emotions and feelings for our dear friend.
As the ceremony progressed, the atmosphere of the group changed, I could feel the acceptance of what I was saying, I felt those who initially had trepidation begin to understand and acknowledge that we women were all connected, all part of the same family of human kind...all sisters and friends. Our humanity was the common thread that connected us together just as certainly as the knots that bound the hand fasting cord together.
One by one 20 women brought their ribbon or cord up to be placed with the collective whole and one by one they understood the underlying connection of all humanity. They could feel in their hearts that this was more than just a blessing ceremony, this was a celebration of life.
When at last the cord blessing was complete and the circle was opened, our humanity shone like a bright beacon...tears were shed, emotions revealed that would have otherwise been left in the dark...hands were clasped, hugs were exchanged and I believe that everyone came away with something more than when they started.
The next day was the wedding and when the braided cord was wrapped around the Bride and Groom’s hands for the blessing…I could feel the energies of 20 or more women pulsing through that beautiful menagerie. I was proud of all those fantastic women who gave of their hearts and spirits, and despite their religious beliefs; worked a little magic for someone they held dear. You see, there’s a little magic in everyone, you’ve only to acknowledge it.
Following is an excerpt of the hand fasting ritual, written by Michelle White Willow.
I opened with casting the circle and calling the quarters…
Look around you, we are all from different geographic locations, different ethnicities, histories and even religious beliefs. But yet, here we are, united by what women have known since the beginning of time, that Love is the force that binds us all together, that makes us part of the whole and unites us as family, the family of human kind. We are the light bringers, the nurturers, the healers and the peace keepers, and it is in our hands that the power of love is held sacred and preserved for humankind. Tonight, you are not here as an audience, your presence is an intimate part of this entire weekend ceremony.
As participants let all who are present within this circle be here of their own free will and let all hearts join to charge this place and these cords with pure and perfect love.
And so it is that we come this evening bearing our simple gift of a 6 ft strand…of ribbon, cord, whatever you’ve selected, make no mistake, in that strand is magic…The magic of your personal blessings, your hopes and wishes for the future of………………………..
So now I would like for each of you to take the offering that you’ve brought and hold it in front of you in both of your hands, imagine it engulfed in a silver light and in that light are all your best wishes, of love, joy and happiness, put all of those beautiful feelings into your strand…imagine it shimmering with all your positive feelings, to be joined with the collective rest.
After the cords have been brought to the center of the circle and tied together and everyone has gone back to their place in circle. The closing:
I dismissed the quarters and thanked them for their presence.
You have given a gift far more precious than any amount of money can purchase…you have given a wee speck of your spirit to……………. And ……………., and in so doing, I promise you, you’ll never regret the giving. May your days be filled with sunlight, may your slumber be blessed with peaceful dreams and until we meet again, may your path be smooth and filled with bright experience and may you always, blessed be.
In the end, I was hugged more times than I can count and feel as though I've made 20 new lifetime friends. Who can ask for more than that???
Until next time...
Blessed Be
White Willow
Witch Willows Wanderings
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