Handfasting and Wedding Rituals

Raven Kaldera is a pagan priest, intersex transgender activist, parent,  astrologer, musician, homesteader, and the author of "Hermaphrodeities: The Transgender Spirituality Workbook" (XLibris Press). He is the founder and leader of the Pagan Kingdom of Asphodel, and the Asphodel  Pagan Choir. He has been a neo-pagan since the age of 14, when he was converted by a "fam-trad" teen on a date. Since then, he's been through half a dozen traditions, including Gardnerian, Dianic, and granola paganism, Umbanda, Heithnir, and the Peasant Tradition. He is currently happily married to artist and eco-experimentalist Bella Kaldera, and they have founded the Institute for Heritage Skills. ...'Tis an ill wind that blows no minds.' Contrary to popular legend, Tannin was not born in a log cabin in Springfield Illinois. She did, however, spend her entire childhood living on the Jersey Shore. It is in this notably non-New Age environment that her interest in Pagan/Occult matters began. Over the past 15 years, she has dedicated a significant part of her life in pursuit of various spiritual arts privately and professionally. Tannin has studied diverse practices and paths such as Gi Gong, Shamanistic energy techniques, Gnostisism, Afro-Caribbean religions, and even a pinch of Ceremonial Magick. Before she opened Bones and Flowers in the of 1997, she served as "Madame Espiritual" to two different Worcester Botanicas, a spiritual counselor in a New Age shop, as well as making countless house calls. At present, the proprietor of Worcester's only occult specialty store is also a crafter in diverse media ,and a legally ordained minister. ~

• Contents Preface, ix chapter 1: Pagan couples . . . 1 chapter 2: Handfasting history . . . 7 chapter 3: Magical aesthetics . . . 11 chapter 4: The prenuptial ritual . . . 27 chapter 5: Quarter castings . . . 33 chapter 6: Deities and invocations . . . 45 chapter 7: Vows . . . 57 chapter 8: Words of spirit . . . 73 chapter 9: Mytheatrics . . . 93 The Legend of Tam Lin, 97 The Wedding of Ariadne and Dionysus, 107 The Tale of Shiva and Parvati, 112 The Story of Hades and Persephone, 115 chapter 10: Nontraditionalists . . . 121 Men's Handfasting Ritual, 123 Women's Four Corners Wedding Rite, 128 Women's Chalice and Wand Wedding, 134 Shapeshifter's Handfasting, 137 The Rite of Aphrodite Urania, 140 Many Hands of Love: A Polyamorous Handfasting Rite, 147 chapter 11: Children and ritual . . . 155 chapter 12: Interfaith marriages . . . 163 Pagan-Catholic Interfaith Handfasting, 168 Pagan-Protestant Interfaith Handfasting, 174 Pagan-Muslim Wedding, 182 Pagan-Buddhist Wedding, 185 Pagan-Hindu Wedding, 188 Judeo-Pagan Wedding, 191 chapter 13: Full rites . . . 197 Rose Garden Handfasting, 198 Language of Flowers Handfasting, 199 Heathen Runic Handfasting, 204 Tarot Handfasting Ritual, 209 Astrological Challenge Handfasting Rite, 214 Faery Wedding, 219 Peasant Tradition Handfasting, 224 Romany-Inspired Handfasting, 229 Druidic Handfasting Rite, 232 Celtic Sacred Grove Handfasting, 237 Heathen Marriage Rite, 242 Grecian Wedding, 248 Raven's Star's Thelemic Marriage Rite, 253 Warrior's Wedding, 255 Night's Children Wedding, 260 Pagan Handfasting Vow Renewal, 266 chapter 14: Handpartings . . . 269 Handparting, Both Individuals Present, 273 Handparting Ritual for One Person, 277 Handparting Ritual for Couples with Children, 280 chapter 15: A note to pagan clergy . . . 283 Appendix A: Choosing Your Wedding Date Astrologically, 289 Appendix B: Symbols of Marriage and Union, 293 Appendix C: Flowers of Love, 301 Suggested Reading, 311 Index, 315