A Summer Solstice Sunset Handfasting

The sun moves across the midsummer sky

Dipping by degrees over the far horizon

Its golden rays casting shadows through the trees

As two lovers forged their union…

A Summer Solstice Sunset Handfasting

A Summer solstice sunset handfasting watched over by the Oak King and the Holly King as they prepared to duel for supremacy over the coming seasons.

Legend has it that at the Winter and Summer Equinoxes (Yule and Litha) the two kings battle for control over the lands. The Holly King holds sway from Midsummer to Midwinter, when the Oak King once again reigns supreme, and so the cycle is repeated year in, year out.

The Summer Solstice, or Litha marks the height of the sun’s power and the beginning of the decline towards the darker half of the year.

Graham and Mandy chose to celebrate their Handfasting under the dying light of the longest day on the edge of a wood in Bearsted Kent, it’s a beautiful quintessential English village and well worth a visit on a gorgeous summer’s day.

Having recently embraced their Pagan leanings they were keen on commemorating this most special of occasions on one of the most sacred of days in the Pagan calendar.

What is a Handfasting?

A Handfasting is a symbolic ritual where two (Or on occasion more) people have their hands bound together, which symbolises two becoming one.

Once the cords are tied, the hands are slipped out and the remaining knot stays tied for ‘As long as love shall last.’ I personally like to think that love can last beyond death.

Traditionally a handfasting was a betrothal, for a year and a day, an intent to be together as spouses as well as telling any other possible suitors to ‘Back off, I’m taken.’

If after that year and a day the couple were still smitten, they could return to be handfasted again, or untie the knots and go their separate ways.

Today it remains a symbol of unity, but modern marriage laws have unfortunately superseded its meaning.

When undertaken as part of a Pagan ceremony the term Handfasting is still very common, however when it forms part of a more modern ceremony with no Pagan undertone, a lot of people now refer to it as a Hand- tying.

For some truly stunning cords and ideas on your own Handfasting check out Ceothas_Cords

A Midsummer Handfasting

So, Graham, Mandy and I had long conversations about how they wanted to celebrate, who would be included in the celebrations and what this handfasting meant to them as a couple.

As solitary practitioners (they don’t belong to a coven or grove) they are free to explore all the aspects of Neopaganism, with no restrictions and as a result have a more eclectic approach to the deities they are most drawn to. This is the path I choose to follow as well, so when we first spoke, and as members of the, er, shall we say, the ‘Crone’ and the ‘Sage’ generation we hit it off spectacularly.

I was able to advise on certain aspects of the ceremony they were unsure of and reassure that as solitary practitioners they could choose to make their handfasting as deeply personal as they wanted and to let their hearts draw them to their altar pieces, deities and content.

We met at the car park behind the church and walked to the edge of the woodland where the Green King was carved into a tree stump. The perfect location for a Handfasting.

We set up the ceremony circle with twigs, and I orientated the gates East, South West and North with my trusty compass before placing the markers in them and Graham and Mandy set up their altar in the centre.

They then joined their guests back in the car park and were drummed back into the ceremony space.

I greeted them with joy before formally casting the circle with flowers and calling upon the elements to be present to witness our rite.

We then invoked the blessings of Mother Earth, the Goddess Hecate and the Lord Ganesha asking for their protection and blessings as well as their presence with us during the ceremony.

The handfasting then commenced, 2 cords comprising of 7 colours in total, with obsidian and hematite sewn into them for good measure. Obsidian is the stone of clarity, encouragement and personal growth. And Hematite is the stone of protection and stability.

They replaced their cords with their rings, simultaneously slipping them onto each other’s fingers as they joined their souls and hearts together before reading out their individual vows to each other. Their vows were perfectly them and certainly made them both giggle and wipe away a tear or two.

Before we ended the ceremony they broke their fast with apple juice and biscuits and the guests enjoyed a light refreshment with them before Graham and Mandy sealed the deal with 3 kisses each and the guests blew them their own kiss.

We all took part in dismantling their circle, thanking the elements and the deities for being present with us before Graham and Mandy jumped the broom on their way out.

The circle was once again opened but remained unbroken.

Some took themselves off to watch the sun set on the longest day and to reflect on the ceremony.

For all present, it was the first time they had taken part in a Pagan ritual and whilst it was something unusual, they could all see how much it meant to Graham and Mandy to celebrate their union with those closest to them.

Thank you to Graham and Mandy for allowing me to be a part of their ritual and apologies to Mandy, I think it was my suggestion that enabled Graham to go out and buy his own drum…I think it might be getting used for many a ritual to come!