http://altreligion.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Bistro/1368/handfasting.html
This ceremony is somewhat simular to the oudated marriage concepts of blindlight religions, except freedom is emphasized here. This does not irrevocably "bind" a person for life, but may represent such IF the participants have foreknowledge & much forethought of it. Otherwise, it is a confirmation of the beginning of a relationship in which the persons involved will share eachother's company as lovers & friends for as long as they may so desire, & enjoy one another.
This may be done very extravegantly, or in a more private, intimate manner. It may be performed by more than two, if so desired.
Following the ceremony, the happy couple may travel to City Hall & become "legally" married", if so desired. If you live in the U.S.A., you must recognize that marrying more than one other person is considered illegal, & is subject to prosecution. This is in effect in all states except for Utah. Perhaps others will soon follow their iconoclastic mortal law.
Procedures
Ceremony is begun with the standard procedures outlined in The Satanic Bible by Anton Szandor LaVey.
May be performed out amongst Nature, in a beautifully scenic area near a river or creek on wooded land.
May also be performed in one's Noctuary Chambre.
The bride may wear a flowing, somewhat transluscent gown, or black &/or red &/or purple lace.
The groom may wear his most elegant attire, perhaps with a black cape with red silk underlining.
They shall be side by side interlocked about the bend of the arms in the "Yin-Yang" position.
Accouterments
The following objects will be exchanged to one another
Bride
I. Hope Chest containing the following items.
II. Poem
III. Wrapped hand-made gift
IV. Gauntlet &/or sword
V. Self-Portrait
VI. Jewelry {ring, or necklace, or bracelet, etc.}
Groom
I. Hope Chest containing the following items.
II. Poem
III. Self-Portrait
IV. Vanity Mirror
V. Flower
VI. Wrapped hand-made gift
VII. Jewelry {ring, or necklace, or bracelet, etc.}
For the role of the Priest, the participants may either enact equally if done solo, or may be attended by an official, who will use a staff at all times except when attaining other trappings.
Appropriate music to be used of whatever choice is agreed upon.
The jewelry will be held by the Priest until the time of giving {neither the bride nor the groom may have seen eachother's presentations previously; if there is no priest, then they are to hide them from eachother's view in their respective hope chests}.
The Priest is to provide a thick violet & scarlet ribbon & aspergellum.
A King & Queen's crown, or wreaths, shall repose upon the altar.
The Elixer shall ideally be to the option of the celebrants, although milk & rum is recommended.
Have assembled upon the Altar, the four containers of the elements.
Priest: We are gathered here today/tonight in the sight of His Infernal Majesty, to join these # persons in the ancient rite of Handfasting. For them, the flames of Hell leap, & the horned ones do initiate revelry! Here, these shall become as one through eachother's Love & mutual respect. May Infernal Blessings rain down, bestowing all manner of earthly delights!
No enemy, nor spiteful force shall seperate them unwillingly, for they shall live within Infernal light, ever embraced within the mighty bosom of Satan. Their paths are paved with jewels, which each represent fond & happy experiences & memories hereafter. Drink ye now of the Elixer, the Potion of Passion!
{Entwine arms at the inner elbows & drink of the cups, then kiss eachother's cheeks. Turn & face the Priest again. He receives the goblets, & places them brim down upon the Altar.}
Priest: To show eachother's love & admiration, here is presented these # chests which contain the sincerity of eachother's wishes. Open the chests!
{After each item is presented to the mate/s , there will be a short rhyme to be said. The other shall receive it, bow, & place it within his/her Hope Chest. The Groom begins his presentation first.}
Groom: These are token of My Love, & represent the parts of My essence which I gleefully vouchsafe unto thee for safe keeping. Both in a sacred space, & within thine heart.
I. The Poem
II. The Mirror: "With beauty of moonbeams, the face of a Goddess, I present this to thee, sweet Lady of Promise. Pureset of glasses, which none hath yet seen, only thy reflection, this virgin pane's need. Grace all with thy visage, angelic to Me, reveal it thy glory, & share it with Me."
III. The Flower: "Its stem is so fragile, like unto thyself, the pedals sweet scented, perfumed as you felt, its wonderful texture, soft as your skin, you are My flower, kin of My kin."
IV. The Portrait: "With this I present thee, part of Myself, the image of manhood, to you I bewealth. In hours of worry, know I Am there, in snow storm or flurry, Black Heaven or Hell. 'Tis thee that I treasure, keep it in mind, Thy loving protector, from now & through time."
V. The Gift: "With care & precision, with each loving stroke, I crafted a present, from My hand alone. A symbol of meaning, to which you shall give, through thoughts of compassion, thou maketh it live. Its beauty in your eyes, worth more than gold, unlimited treasures, in you I behold."
(Now the Bride will open the present & embrace the Groom. The Bride now reads:}
I. The Poem.
II. The Gauntlet or Sword: "From Me to you, below & above, is testament, to our boundless love. Thy force it be, with arm of man, thine sweat & tears, & a firm hand. Force of beast, yet soft as Me, betwixed us both, be wisdom supreme."
III. The Gift: "By hand of maiden, this gift bestowed, of imagination, My mind did mote. Within this gift, is all My Love, for you to cherish, below & above. Wrapped with care, & words of longing, this is thy present, to thee belonging."
Priest: These acts of Love are to written in Satan's Book of Strong Life! Receive this potion with entwined arms likened to the vines which carry the magic words of revelation. Seal the element of water!
{The Priest, or acolyte, will bring aspergellum forward, & sprinkle droplets upon the celebrants saying the 2nd Enochian Key. Celebrants raise the sign of The Cornu.}
Priest: Leviathan has stirred, the denizens of the deep swirl about! From darkened recesses, the tides churn & crash! Welcome, brothers & sisters of water!
ALL: Welcome, brothers & sisters of water!
Priest: Seal the element of Earth!
{The Priest brings the container of rich, black, living soil forward, & anoints ech celebrant on the forehead while intoning the 7th Enochian Key.}
Priest: Belial quakes beneath & around us! From secret lambent caverns emerging, to join us here in fellowship. Sustainer of vices! Welcome, brothers & sisters of Earth!
ALL: Welcome, brothers & sisters of Earth!
Priest: Seal the element of Air!
{The Priest of acolyte brings forth the container of air & thrusts it aloft whilst reciting the 18th Enochian Key.}
Priest: Lucifer comes forth to whisk about us, in rushes & torrents, He fills Our lungs with Life! Welcome, brothers & sisters of the Air!
ALL: Welcome, brothers & sisters of the Air!
Priest: Seal the element of Fire!
{The Priest brings forward the container (torch or candle) of the Black Flame while intoning the 19th Enochian Key.}
Priest: The Daemons arise from the Stigeon depths, from ebony lairs plumed with sulphur! We greet them from the Abyss beyond! They watch & are pleased! Welcome, brothers & sisters of Fire!
ALL: Welcome, brothers & sisters of Fire!
Priest: The elements are sealed for the benefit of these #! The Lords of Hell are present to witness this deed in the sight of all the Dark Forces that be throughout the cosmos! With words of ancient tongue, & secret deeds lain hidden, they shall be glorified to the world as renewed entities & vibrant vessels of dynamic energy! Below & above, throughin & throughout, they are enveloped in the liberating light of truth & terror! Of knowledge, wisdom, verility, & manifold indulgence! Dark Gods of Love, Passion, & Desire, bless this union & stir their hearts to eagerness & revelty!
{The Priest uplifts ritual sword, tracing the Pentagram in the air before them. Now, in Knighting fashion, but not kneeling, the sword is placed upon the shoulders of the couple.}
To the Groom
Priest: With this sword, forged in the raging flames of the fiery Abyss, I name thee Lord _________! With this sword, which has become as the fabled steel of Excalibur, I conjure from within thee the virtues of loyalty, honesty, bravery, unity, & wisdom. Remember them, for thy mate is precious, & to be cherished.
To the Bride
Priest: With this sword, forged with care & precision, I name thee Lady _________! With this sword, contoured as thine beautiful visage, is conjured the virtues of loyalty, honesty, fecundity, unity, & wisdom. Remember them, for thy mate is mighty, & to be honoured.
May the hosts of Hell watch over thee, & guide thee on paths of wild abandon! On roads of ever greater pleasure! On trails of joyous frivolity!
Bride & Groom: We receive these gifts with open arms, minds, & hearts.
{Now is the time for the exchange of rings (or necklaces, or bracelets). The Priest will bring them forth, & give it to them to bestow unto eachother. The Bide begins as she opens the box:}
Bride: Take this, as part of Myself, a talisman to protect thee from pain & harm. Our Love shall outshine the stars.
{She places the jewelry upon him, & kisses him upon the lips.}
Groom: Take this, as a part of Myself, a talisman, to protect thee from pain & harm. Our Love shall outshine the stars.
{He places the jewelry upon her, & kisses her upon the lips.}
{The Priest now presents the silken ribbon & wraps it around their adjoining hands. He places his hands upon the celebrants' heads & says:}
Priest: Do you, Lord _________, take Lady _________ to be thy lover & companion?
Groom: I DO.
Priest: Do you, Lady _________, take Lord _________ to be thy lover & companion?
Bride: I DO.
{K I S S}
Priest: She is He, & He is She, of one Being, of one whole! Hear these words, Satanas, pass through the flames & join them both/all! Fill them through with thy substance! I pronounce you mates in everlasting time. Sing, dance, be merry, make love! Thou art the Children of the Earth, go & walk with nature!
ALL: Hail Satan! Hail Lord _________! Hail Lady _________! Hail Satan!
COMMENTS
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