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As a priestess of the Witches Guild I officiate at handfastings and/or rites of marriage.
"The word marriage came from Latin maritare, union under the auspices of the Goddess Aphrodite-Mari ... the Goddess's patronage was constantly invoked in every aspect of Marriage." Barbara G Walker. Some Witches call a marriage a Handfasting. Handfasting is the name others apply to the commitment of a year and a day, which may also be the precursor to a commitment for life. I consider it my responsibility to ask those who wish me to perform a marriage to indicate this a year and a day before the rites are to be celebrated. A ritual may be performed at this time if the couple wish. Under Australian law I have been appointed as a Religious Marriage Celebrant, authorized to "solomnise" Marriages within Australia, according to the rites of the Witches Guild. Australian law defines Marriage as "the union of a man and a woman to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life". That law also requires notice in writing be supplied to the celebrant on a prescribed form, one month and a day before a marriage is solomnised.
Resources: Marriage in Australia
Form:Notice of Intended Marriage (external link) Form: Return
of Marriage Ceremonies Performed (external link)
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