| Heathen Wedding Rite (The Bride's family stand on the left side with, the Groom's family on the right with him. Unrelated woment stand with the Bride, men with the Groom. The Groom should bring his ancestral sword, his ring for her, and all his paperwork; the Bride should bring her ring for him, her paperwork, and a weapon of some sort for him. There is also a horn and bridal ale.) |
| The Elder begins with the Hammer-Hallowing: Elder: Gods I hail and goddesses all, Ases and Wans, alfs and idises here. Look well upon us, this wedding bless. Hail to Frija frowe of the home, Holy Mother, hear us! Keeper of keys, keeper of distaff, keeper of Wodan's cares, highest of wives and holder of vows, bless the work wrought this day. Who stands for the groom? Groom's Next of Kin: I do. Elder: Who stands for the bride? Bride's Next of Kin: I do. Elder: What is the worth of this man, and what bride gift is paid? (Groom's Next of Kin describes the Groom's good qualities and worth deed at as much lenght as possible, then details his financial contribution to the wedding. Another witness, not related, should then be called upon to attest to the truth of the Next of Kin's words of praise and to add prasises of his/her own.) Elder: What is the worth of this woman, and what dowry does she bring? (Bride's Next of Kin describes the bride's worth of character and deeds and her financial contribution; another witness is calleda nd likewise as above.) Elder: Are both clans satisfied with the terms of this wedding? (Both Next of Kins speak their assent or disagreement if any.) Elder (to Bridal Couple): Then nothing may stand in your way! Now speak your wedding vows! Groom: (holding his ancestral sword out to the Bride together with the ring - if possible the ring can be slipped onto one of the quillions. The Bride brings her ring for him up to touch the other ring and the sword.): I bring you this sword, the soul of my line, bear it well, my bride! In battle and frith to be by your side, as shall I stand by you aye. On these rings my oath I swear: Love and worshi be my wife. Bride (bring up her other hand in which she has the weapon for him): I bring you this weapon, weild it mightily, and hold it well, my husband! In battle and frith to be your strength, as shall I stand by you aye. On these rings my oath I swear: to my husband, hallowed love. (The Groom takes his weapon as the Bride takes his ancestral sword; he puts the ring on her finger and she puts the ring on his.) Elder: Now Frowe Var to witness I call, who keeps all contracts made, and Sjofn, sweetest maid that law be held by love. Frifa's handmaids hold your oath all, and aye give joy of it. Now let bride-gift and dowry be given. (The Bride and Groom exchange their paperwork with the each the hands to corresponding Next of Kin to hold the for the rest of the ceremony. If there is a wedding contract this can be officially done now, they should sign the contract at this time. The Elder pours the first horn of bridal ale and makes the Hammer-sign over it.) Elder: Hallowed for pride-pair this horn shall be, I deem your days shall be good. Frith be in this ale and fruitfulness great, when you have drained the draught. (The Groom drinks half of the horn, then gives it to the Bride who finishes it. They give the horn back to the Elder, who refills it, making the sign of the Hammer.) Elder: Hallowed to bride-pair this horn shall be, speak all your wishes for weal! (The Elder makes a toast, then passes the horn deosil. All drink except the Bridal Couple. Each person should makes a toast to the good for the bridal couple and their future children before drinking. The Elder pours what is left into the blessing-bowl when the horn has made its round, refil it, and hallows it again.) Elder: Hallowed to the bride-pair this horn shall be, and to gods and goddesses all! Holy ones, hear! Here blessing we ask, for a wedding filled with weal. (The Elder drink; The Bridal Couple drink; the Elder pours what is left into the blessing-bow and then lifts it up.) Elder: Frija, Frowe, Fulla, Sjofn! Var and Vor, Syn and Hlin, Snotra, Gna, Lofn! Lif and Hlifghrasa, Throdhavarta, Bjort and Bleik, Blith and Frith, Eir and Aurbodha! Thunan, Sif, and all ye others, gods, goddesses, and wights, who look well on the Middle-Garth's weddings; alfs and idises of the clans of (Elder names the Bridal Coulple). I hallow this bowl to you all (making the Hammer-sign over it). Cast friendly eyes on the marriage of (Groom) and (Bride). Grant that it be fuitful, filled with joy and frith and that their children be worthy of the best of their line, might in luck, widsom and main. Hail! All: Hail! (The Elder sprinkles the harrow, the aettir, the Bridal Coulple with the ale, then pours it out over the harrow or one the earth before it.) Elder: Hail (Groom) and (Bride)! All: Hail (Groom) and (Bride)! Elder: Hail the gods and goddesses! All: Hail the gods and goddesses! Hail! (The men and women should then divide. When the Elder gives a signal, they should race either back to the hall where the feast is being held, or to their cars. If the men reach the goal first, the women must serve the drink at the feast; if the women reach first, the men must serve. The Bride's frist duty at the feast is to bring her husband a horn of bridal ale or mead.) Bride: Ale I bring thee, apples of battle (The Groom should then drink from the horn and give it to the Bride; the two of them alternate draughts til it is empty.) The Elder hallows teh Groom with the hammer and then gives the Hammer to the Groom who makes the sign of the Hammer over the Bride with it, then touches it to her womb.) Groom: Hammer hallow you holy bride, bear men and maids of might! (After the feast the Bride and Groom are given a cup of mead a feast and their attendants lead them away to ready them for bed. The Bride is stripped down to her shift, with the bridal crown still on her head and put into the wedding bed; the Groom is the brought to her. If it is dark the procession must be accompanied with torches and there must be at least six witnesses when he removes the bridal crown; then the attendants leave When the Bridal Couple wake the next morning the Groom should give the Bride a bunch of keys which she ties at her belt. Ideally, a morning-feast should be held with the guests' gifts are given) Groom: I gives you these keys: my house is yours to rule. Hold them well, my wife. Bride: I take these keys: well and wisely shall I use them ever. * from Teutonic Religion |