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	Handfasting - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
		Handfasting is an ancient Celtic wedding ritual in which the bride's and groom's hands are tied together —hence the phrase "tying the knot".
		Handfastings can be performed for heterosexual or homosexual couples (see also same-sex marriage), as well as for larger groups in the case of polyamorous relationships.
		One unique feature of handfasting as opposed to traditional marriage is that the couple may choose the length of time for which the marriage lasts: either for a year and a day, a lifetime, or for all eternity.
	en.wikipedia.org /wiki/Handfasting (757 words)

	Handfasting Info - Christian Perspectives on Handfasting
		Handfasting at one time was the only way that couples could be engaged and/or get married because the church let the civil government of the period take care of these matters.
		The Handfasting gesture seems to have been derived from one of the ancient Indo-European images of male-female conjunction, the infinity sign, whose twin circles represented the sun (female) and the moon (male) or in some of the southern Mediterranean traditions it was sun (male) and moon (female).
		Two-handed Handfasting still constituted a fully legal marriage throughout Europe whether the blessing of the church was sought or not.
	www.handfasting.info /histhand.html (707 words)

	Handfasting (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
		In the British Isles, Handfasting was the old pagan ritual of marriage and it remained legal in Scotland all the way up to 1939, even after Lord Harwicke’s Act of 1753 declaring that marriages in England were legal only if performed by a clergyman.
		Handfasting is the marriage rite used toady by many Heathens, neo-Pagans and Wiccans.
		Handfastings were under the jurisdiction of common law rather than canon law.
	www.wendyandbrad.com /Handfasting.htm (712 words)

	Treespirit Creations Handfasting (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
		Handfasting is related to an old Celtic ceremony, in which the couple's hands are ritualistically tied together, hence the phrase "tying the knot".
		Rings and Handfastings Couples often still exchange rings during handfastings - a ring symbolises the couple's desire to be faithful to each other and their desire to share the rest of their lives together.
		However one unique feature of handfasting as opposed to other forms of marriage is that the couple may choose the lenght of time for which the marriage lasts, either for a year and a day, a lifetime, or for all eternity.
	www.treespiritcreations.com /handfasting.php (558 words)

	Handfasting - Background
		Handfasting was the old pagan ritual of marriage in the British Isles; it remained legal in Scotland all the way up to 1939, even after Lord Harwicke's Act of 1753 declared marriages in England valid only when performed by a clergyman.
		The handfasting gesture seems to have been derived from one of the ancient Indo-European images of male-female conjunction, the infinity sign, whose twin circles represent sun (male) and moon (female) cycles, one right-handed and the other left-handed as when the figure 8 is drawn with one clockwise and one counterclockwise circle.
		Two-handed handfasting still constituted a fully legal marriage in Europe, however, whether the blessing of the church was sought or not.
	www.angelfire.com /realm2/amethystbt/handfastbkgrd.html (498 words)

	Handfasting
		Handfasting is a term used by many people to mean a Pagan, usually referring to Wiccan, marriage ceremony.
		Some handfastings are "trial marriages" which last for a year and a day, some are life long marriages that are legally binding, and some are personal, private ceremonies for only the couple.
		Traditionally a handfasting was similar to a betrollment ceremony.
	www.geocities.com /tragicpixie/HandfastingMain.html (175 words)

	Handfasting - WiccanWeb.ca (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
		Handfasting is a Neo-pagan (especially Wiccan) term for a wedding.
		Handfastings can be performed for heterosexual or homosexual couples, as well as for larger groups in the case of polyamorous relationships.
		Handfasting usually takes place outside, and, like many Wiccan rituals, may be performed skyclad, or nude.
	www.wiccanweb.ca /wiki/index.php?title=Handfasting&redirect=no (500 words)

	Handfasting (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
		The term Handfasting comes from the custom of shaking hands over a contract and is steeped in old tradition.
		In the British Isles, Handfasting was the old Pagan ritual of marriage.
		One custom is that while facing each other, the couple placed their right hands together and then their left hands together to form the infinity symbol while a cord is tied around their hands in a knot.
	home.comcast.net /~sapphire_gem/Handfasting.html (708 words)

	AllAboutIrish - Handfasting
		Handfasting is an ancient Celtic custom, especially common in Ireland and Scotland, in which a man and woman came together at the start of their marriage relationship.
		The man and woman who came together for the handfasting agreed to stay together for a specific period of time, usually a year-and-a-day.
		Handfasting is also the marriage rite practiced by pagan and Wiccan groups.
	www.allaboutirish.com /library/customs/handfasting.shtm (413 words)

	handfasting, love, celtic wedding, alternative wedding - Ceremonies
		Handfasting was the act of the prospective bride and groom facing each other and joining right hand to right hand, left to left and being bound by a ceremonial wrap or rope.
		Handfasting ceremonies, like many weddings today, often took place out of doors, with all of nature and the gods and goddesses of old to bless the union.
		As officiant on your special day, you may be certain that I would oversee your ceremony, whether it be a handfasting, non-secular service or renewal of your vows, in an unbiased and loving manner, without judgment or prejudice.
	www.cindilamar.com /wst_page4.html (386 words)

	Handfasting Customs - Pagan
		Many of the customs found in handfasting rituals are drawn from a combination of historical ceremonies, traditional rites, familial customs and actions that the wedding couple feel are significant and important for their special day.
		Often in handfasting there is a part of the ceremony where the couple symbolize their bonds by having a ceremonial cord wrapped around their joined hands.
		When a handfasting is used as the permanent commitment, the vows are often worded so that the binding stands for as long as love exists between the two partners.
	www.bellaonline.com /articles/art42192.asp (584 words)

	Morbid Outlook - The Handfasting Ritual
		Handfasting ceremonies are typically performed in front of friends and family, but there are no taboos about a couple performing the ceremony with no other witnesses besides the priest or priestess and the Gods and Goddesses of their belief system.
		In the days when handfasting was common, new clothing was a luxury item; having something made for that day, that would never be worn again, is a very recent modern tradition.
		The most popular day for handfasting ceremonies with Wiccans and Pagans is Beltane in May. Beltane celebrates the height of Spring and the flowering of life, a fitting holiday for a couple to declare they begin their journey together.
	www.morbidoutlook.com /lifestyle/spirituality/2002_02_handfasting.html (586 words)

	Wiccan Handfasting Ceremonies
		Handfasting, an explanation: Handfasting is the Wiccan word for the marriage ceremony.
		The difference between a handfasting and the Christian wedding ceremony, is this.
		When the couple wishes to part, be it for lack of love, or if they outgrow tolerance for one another, they are free to part their ways.
	vzoners.com /nhwedding/wiccanhandfast.htm (838 words)

	Historical Handfasting
		Historically, in late medieval and early modern Scotland (and northern England), "handfasting" was a the normal term used for "betrothal" that is, for the ceremony of exchanging future consents to marriage and agreeing to marriage contracts.
		Of relevance to the issue of handfasting, in regularly formed marriages formal betrothal ceremonies (handfastings) faded away; it would appear that by the late 17th century, they were no longer practiced, or at the very least hand changed in nature and terminlogy such that they were no longer called "handfasting" (Leneman, c.
		Unaware of the true historical origins of the term "handfasting" (that is, as a term signifying a handshake), the word was reanalyzed and re-interpreted as signifying that a cord had been tied around the couple's hands or wrists as part of the ceremony, so this feature was incorporated into the modern ceremonies.
	www.medievalscotland.org /history/handfasting.shtml (5044 words)

	Alabama Gulf Coast Wedding Ceremonies, handfasting
		Traditionally, a handfasting was performed by a priest or priestess, who would invoke the energies of the four elements to create a sacred circle in which the couple could be joined as embodiments of god and goddess.
		One of the things I like about handfasting is that it is also a declaration of intent, where the bride and groom clearly state that they are marrying of their own free will, as well as stating their vows.
		One of the things we like about handfasting is that it is also a declaration of intent, where the bride and groom clearly state that they are marrying of their own free will.
	www.secularceremonies.com /Handfast.htm (788 words)

	Handfasting - it's meaning and relevance to modern Wicca
		Handfasting was designed to ensure that your mate was fertile and that you could deal companionably together.
		From what I have seen and read, handfasting in modern Wicca seems to fill two roles: that of engagement for year and a day and/or that of an alternative form of marriage.
		Yet, one of the nice things about a handfasting (at least one held in public) is the social acceptance/support for a union, which is one of the main purposes of marriage and/or handfasting in the first place.
	home.earthlink.net /~wilhelmina_d/bos/articles_handfasting.html (984 words)

	Handfasting and Wedding Cloaks - Formal Cloak Attire
		Our handfasting and wedding cloaks are a beautiful design unique to Goldentree Wands.
		We want your wedding or handfasting to be the beautiful experience that it should be, and a cloak makes a perfect addition to almost any wedding attire.
		Especially for weddings and handfastings that are outdoors when there is a bit of a chill in the air, these cloaks will keep you warm as well as make you look stunning!
	www.goldentreewands.com /handfastingcloaks.htm (383 words)

	PookLaRoux's Handfasting FAQ
		Handfasting is a rite in which the Old Gods bless and hallow a Union of two or more people.
		The best day and time of the week to perform a Handfasting rite is either Monday or Friday at the first hour after sunrise or the first hour after sunset (but do cross reference this with the placement of the Moon and other astrological factors.) The worst days are Tuesday and Saturday, any time.
		The best astrological time to perform the Handfasting rite is when the Moon is waxing to Full, well-disposed (that is: no hard angles to any signs, no angles to Mars or Saturn at all, and not Void-Of-Course) and in one of the Fixed signs.
	www.pooklaroux.com /fshfrite.html (1056 words)

	Handfasting (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
		I performed youngest daughter's Handfasting for a year and a day on May 6, 2000 and later officiated her actual legal Wedding on May 5, 2001.
		A Handfasting usually is done by tying the knot with a cord.
		The tradition was enhanced here because slave owners would not allow their slaves to marry at will so the slave elder on a plantation would perform the ritual/ceremony of marriage and the two lovers would jump the broom as the finale.
	www.earth-dancing.com /handfasting.htm (1087 words)

	Handfasting Info - Pagan Weddings, Celtic Ceremonies, Wiccan Marriage and more.
		Handfasting is quite popular today, among many people who find that their own lifestyles call for an alternative joining ceremony to that provided by more typical weddings.
		Handfasting can be used by couples of the same sex, or by group marriages who wish to have more than two people in their families.
		They are not synonymous with handfasting, but as it happens, it seems to be a theme that many people gravitate towards when planning handfastings.
	www.handfasting.info (442 words)

	Our Handfasting
		Handfasting is a very old concept, dating back to the days when most people could not afford expensive metals for rings and such.
		Another common element of most handfastings is the "jumping of the broom." This is a sub-ritual found in many cultures, but most commonly recognized in the South as a remnant of slave customs.
		On an occasion such as the handfasting of Oakdancer and Amberflame, one recognizes the truth of Saint-Exupery's statement, "Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction." For, in fact, man and woman are not only looking outward in the same direction; they are working outward.
	oakdancer.com /hfast/hftext.htm (5582 words)

	~~ Handfasting ~~ - @forums
		We have asked repeatedly that old threads not be bumped, but it seems as if you cannot abide by such a simple request, so we are abiding by the request for you.
		Handfasting is the term for Pagan marriage, a rite which once had many meanings and stages of finality in old Europe.
		The term comes from the fact that, at some point during the ceremonies, the two who come to be joined have their hands literally bound together to symbolize their union.
	www.atforumz.com /showthread.php?t=59176 (1142 words)

	Handfasting (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
		Handfasting has been used by various cultures, for various means, for centuries.
		Some cultures used handfasting as a temporary marriage lasting a year and a day, others as part of a lifetime or eternal committment.
		The handfasting knot, which binds two lovers' hands together, represents their sincere and hopeful intention to make an indissoluble union.
	home.kc.rr.com /gemstone/handfast.html (328 words)

	Rites of Passage: HANDFASTING (Site not responding. Last check: 2007-10-22)
		Handfasting is often equated with marriage done simultaneously with a civil ceremony, or done in a separate but equal ceremony.
		On one side, or curve, people handfast because there is a primal need to share this rite with one's family.
		Handfasting acknowledges that we are part of something much greater than the physical plane.
	www.earthspirit.com /fireheart/fhhafas.html (977 words)

	Handfasting and Pagan Weddings - Pagan
		The custom of handfasting has also gained popularity with non-Pagans in the places like the gay and lesbian community, with many of the rites and rituals serving well for commitment ceremonies and civil unions.
		In one of the original forms, handfastings were betrothal periods for a couple, often lasting a year and a day.
		People who are involved in SCA recreations or Renaissance fairs often chose handfastings as part of their betrothals and marriages, and will hold the handfasting ceremonies during group events or fairs to take advantage of haivng their shared community and the period atmosphere all in one.
	www.bellaonline.com /articles/art10568.asp (483 words)

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