Summer Solstice - Pete and Ollie's wedding.
21st June. 2008
This was to be a combined wedding / party / rally weekend. The venue was one of our local haunts, the Haberdasher's Arms, out in the sticks near Newport. Although not a rally in the true sense, most of the folks there had some connection with the club, however tenuous. I popped down on the Friday night, just to make sure things were going as they should. If now't else, we had a decent sunset.
Saturday, and folks started arriving. By early evening we had a fair crowd, and in true British fashion, the rain started. Good job we had a rather large marquee to lurk in. Seven o'clock saw everyone gathered in the marquee for the ceremony.
A table was commissioned as the altar, and all the necessary items were laid out ready. Maybe a few words about the "items" and the ceremony are in order.
First off, folks are greeted, and told the reason for their being here.
"
MERRY MEET
"Good
friends, we come here today to witness the joyous celebration of the love
between PETE and OLWYN , supporting
them in their decision to be joined as one in the sight of this company and of
the Gods.
"Blessed be all who attend this glorious celebration, and blessed be those about to be united in the bonds of love."
The welcome is then followed by "The Charge"
CHARGE
"You stand before this company and before the Gods, seeking to become one with each other. You have entered into this union with open eyes and full hearts. If either of you, or anyone present here today, know of any reason why these vows should not be made, speak now."
This in turn is followed by the "Declaration of Intent"
DECLARATION OF INTENT
TO
PETE - What is your name ?
(NAME ).
TO
PETE - And
what is your desire?
Answer: To
join with she whom I love.
TO
OLLIE - What is your name ?
(NAME ).
TO OLLIE -
And what is your desire?
Answer: To
join with he whom I love.
TO BOTH. " PETE and OLWYN, you stand before me, the Gods, and this company, having desired the bond of marriage. Do you do this of your own free will, coming here today without coercion or pressure from other persons?"
Answer: BOTH I do.
At this point, Pete and Ollie exchange the vows that they have made to each other.
Next comes the blessing of the rings -this is where the items on the table come in
"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. "
"May the element of Earth bless these rings. All life springs from the earth and returns to the earth, the direction of North, the night time. May your lives through the reminder of this ring be blessed with strength and solidity. "
"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. "
"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 fulfilment and contentment."
"May the Lord and Lady bless these rings, the symbol of union, with happiness, wholeness, and love"
EXCHANGE OF RINGS
"The Circle is a perfect figure, without beginning, without end, with no area of weakness. It is a symbol of the Cycle of Life, of birth, death, and rebirth. This shall serve as a physical reminder of your vow, and that all things begin and end and begin again, as the Gods so decree. These rings shall serve to remind you that life goes on, that these moments pass. When you are engulfed in anger or in sadness, look to your hand, and remember that the Wheel turns forever onward, and it is love that turns the Wheel."
At this point, the actual "Handfasting" takes place - - - with the words
"As this knot is tied, so are your lives now bound"
"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."
"You have witnessed the promises made by PETE and OLWYN - one to another, and the exchange of the symbols of their union. They are now connected to experience together whatever life may bring them. Blessed be."
SHARED MEAL (FOOD AND ALE)
"Lord
and Lady, bless this food, that it may nourish our bodies and feed our souls."
The
food is passed thus:
Me to Pete à Me to Ollie.
Pete to Ollie à Ollie
to Pete.
"Lord
and Lady, bless this drink, that none may thirst within our sight."
The
drink is passed thus:
Me to Pete à take cup with BOTH hands. à back to me.
Me to Ollie à take cup with BOTH hands.
à back to me.
"Let
us always remember to share all that we have with those who have nothing."
Pass the cup around
FINAL BIT
Pagan
creed.
“Bide
the Pagan law ye must,
In perfect love, in perfect trust.
Eight words the Pagan creed fulfil:
An ye harm none, do what ye will.
What ye send forth comes back to thee,
So ever mind the Rule of Three.
Follow this with mind and heart,
Merry ye meet, and merry ye part."
Pete
and Ollie - - - -
"May
you live as long as you wish,
And love as long as you live."
" Merry part "
May I say that it was both a privilege and a honour to have been asked to conduct this ceremony - thanks Pete and Olwyn.
Needless to say, the celebration went on late into the night. Simon Lees did his guitar playing - most of those assembled did the dancing around thing. Karaoke followed - some songs will never seem the same again. What more is there to say ? - - - as I said earlier, to Pete and Ollie:
"May
you live as long as you wish,
And love as long as you live."
I think that just about sums it up
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