Tailltean marriages*



What was a Tailltean marriage?


A tailltean marriage was a marriage on Lammas that lasted a year and one day, till the next Lammas. On the next Lammas the couple could decide to continue the marraige for another year, or to stand back to back and walk away from eachother (making a "divorce").
The thought of this intrigued me greatly.
Here is a modified Handfast (Wiccan wedding) for a Tailltean marriage. perhaps someone will like to try this with their male/female partner this Lammas, if they are really serious :)

(The altar and entire Circle area should be wildly decorated with an abundance of flowers everywhere.Normally the couple would have obtained small gifts for each other, but charged with symbolism and meaning. The priestess and priest would each light white candles. Those present would enter the area and the Circle is cast as usual. The priest would begin.)

*Here, I modify the priestess as the bride, and the priest as the groom*

Priest(groom):
May the place of this rite Be consecrated before the gods. For we gather here in a ritual of love With us two who would be wed. for a year and one day, till the next Lammas arrives. (Name) and (Name) stand forward! And be before us and the Eternal Gods and Goddesses of Nature.

Priestess(bride):
Be with us here, O beings of the Air And with your Clever Fingers Tie closely the bonds between us two who would be bound. [light incense of some sort for love, like rose or Jasmine]

Priest:
Be with us here, O beings of the Fire Give our love and passion Your all consuming ardor [light a red candle]

Priestess:
Be with us here O beings of the Water Give to us two who desire it the deepest of love And depth of body, soul and spirit [drink water, wine, or juice from a goblet]

Priest:
Be with us here O beings of the Earth Lend your strength and constancy To us for as long as we desire to be together [scatter salt, or actual earth]

Both:
Blessed Goddess and Laughing God We invoke Thee! Give to us Your Unconditional Love And Your Ever Vigilant Protection! (The priest would place their rings upon a wand of willow. He holds it in his right hand with his hands over the rings. The priestess places her left hand over his.)

Priest:
Above us the stars
Below us the stones
As Time doth pass remember...
Like a star above should our love be constant
Like a stone below should our love be strong
Remember to weather the threatening storms
They pass ever quickly and wash away wrong
Make love ever often as we both so desire
The world may grow cold but can freeze not our Fire
Be us close although separate Tho ever together
Each possessing the other thru Will not thru Law
Strengthen each other the length of our union
The God and the Goddess are with us Always.

(The priestess waits 5 hearbeats)
Priestess:
It is my wish to become one with (name)

Priest:
it is my wish to become one with (name)

Priest and Priestess:
Then As Above So Below As the God and Goddess are One And the Old Ones witness this rite We now proclaimed Husband and Wife! (Bride and groom kiss and exchange their gifts) The Circle is opened as usual. Much feasting and merriment follow!

*Most of the information on this page has been modified from a monthly letter recieved through e-mail from the "Witches of Coventry Greens", which I absolutely love. Their link can be found on my links page.*
This page hosted by Get your own Free Home Page