Handfasting
is
an
old
pagan
custom
and
is
considered
to
be
a
trial
marriage
with
no
long-term
legitimacy;
couples
that
wish
to
be joined are
gathered together before a fire.
In a Handfasting ceremony, the
couple faces each other as
their hands are clasped and bound together with a cord while the
ceremony is performed.
Handfasting gives the couple a
chance to see if they can survive a
marriage to each other. The handfasting union usually lasts a
year and a day or as stated on the handfasting certificate. After this
time, the couple can either split
as if they had never been joined by handfasting or enter permanently
into marriage.
Traditionally,
on the last day of “the year and a day promise” the handfasted
couple would then make a promise for infinity repeating their
promise to each again in a legal ceremony. The cords are
then tied in a knot around their hand while the ritual takes
place. This is where the term “tie the knot came from” when referring
to getting engaged or married today.
Handfasting is considered less
serious than marriage, and thus easier
to break off, because no actual vows are legally exchanged until the
marriage ceremony.
Handfasting is quite popular
today among many people who find that their own
lifestyle calls for an alternative joining ceremony than what is
provided by a more traditional wedding. They can be used by
people who are members of Pagan (polytheistic nature religions), or by
people who don't necessarily share the same beliefs. The most popular
forms of Handfasting themes are Scottish and Celtic.
