Xenda'ths: A Thelemic Wedding Ceremony

Aurora, Pic 93 This ceremony was created by myself for my marriage on 22 June 1996.  All portions were written by myself, with the following exceptions.  Sections X and XI were modified from text the priest, Frater Solis, had used in previous marriages.  All Latin was corrected and conjugated by Frater Enoch, my Second.  The Hebrew came from a discussion on the Jewish American Pagan List.  I revised this ritual in an attempt to make it more generic, however some places I have not yet completed the depersonalization, I apologize for the slightly schizophrenic presentation.  I also apologize for the rather crude graphics.

I. Description

This ceremony is to allow people to formally declare their commitment to one another and to declare that their will has become one will with multiple parts.

Further does this ceremony provide a social and legal vehicle for the declaration of this commitment.

And finally, this ceremony is a celebration of the stars within the body of Nuit.

II. The Temple

The Temple should have an Altar in the West, an Entrance on the East, and room for guests on the North and South.

Temple Diagram

III. The Participants

The following people are needed for this ceremony (italics indicate an optional role):

  • An Ordained Priest/ess from one of the Thelemic Traditions.
  • An Ordained Deacon from one of the Thelemic Traditions.
  • The Bride
  • The Bride's Second
  • The Groom
  • The Groom's Second
  • A Ringbearer (preferably a small child)
  • The Bride's Escort
  • Ringbearer's Chaperone(s)

IV. The Equipment

12 Votive Candles with holders (1)2 bouquets of 7 red roses (2)
2 blue Altar Candles with Holders (8)2 Silver Candles
Unity Candle with Holder (4)Reproduction of the Stele of Revealing (3)
A Font (6)A Censer (7)
A Silver Altar Cloth (11' x 5')A Blue Secondary Altar Cloth (5' x 1') (9)
An Altar (9' x 3') Holy Water (in font)
Liber AL vel Legis Charcoal, Incense and a lighter (in censer)
A Ringbearer's Pillow Small drying cloth for the rings (5)
Appropriate Music for the March
(we chose "Sun and Moon" from Sol Invictus' Album King and Queen)
V. The Dress

As willed, but the colors symbolism lends itself to Blue & Silver.

VI. The Altar

The dimensions for the Altar should be 9' long and 3' Wide. With Items laid out as below.

Altar Layout

VII. Preperation

The Room should be cleared (Star Ruby Preferred) before setting up the Altar. The Altar should be erected by the Celebrants, though the banashing may be done by either the Priest or the Deacon.

The guests enter and are seated. When all have arrived and the ceremony is about to begin, the Ringbearer and chaperones march down the aisle to the Altar and places the the Ringbearers pillow on the Altar, in font of the Unity Candle and atop of the Stele. [For convenience sake, the rings were placed upon the Altar before hand, to either side of the Unity Candle.] The Ringbearers party then takes their seats.

VIII. Opening Invocation of Deity

The Priest enters & takes his position at the head of the Temple (position A). He raises his arms in benediction and invokes:

Barucha aht Lilith Geveret
Barucha aht Aset Geveret
Barucha aht Geveret

Baruch atah Zagreus Adonai
Baruch atah Asar Adonai
Baruch atah Adonai 1

IX. Consecration of the Celebrants

Begin Music. The Groom and the Groom's Second - who is holding the Silver Solitary Candle, enter, approach the altar (position C) and kneel (on one knee, as a nobleman to liege). The Priest crosses them.

Priest:  Benedic hos Viros in Nomine Domini 2

The Groom and his Second then rise and move to the side of the Aisle (Position G) to watch the Bride's Party. The Bride, her escort and the Bride's Second - who is holding the Silver Solitary Candle, enter and approach the altar (position C). The Priest crosses them.

Priest:  Benedic has Mulieres in Nomine Dominae 2

The Groom moves back to the Altar (position C), the Groom's Second moves to his right , and the Bride's second steps back. End Music.

X. Priest's Address to the Congregation

Priest:  This Universe is filled with Billions of Uncountable Stars, whom by virtue of their magnetism and gravity are able to travel throughout this vast darkness forever without ever encountering another Star. Once in a very great while, two stars are brought together by a greater magnetism and gravity to share the same orbit. When one star has the natural tendency to attract and the other to repel; both stars are capable of traveling side by side without interference. Brothers & Sisters, we are gathered here to witness that same metaphor as it is manifested within people who have been brought together through the Bonds of Love. The desire to outwardly express this union is "the Sacrament of Marriage".

XI. Priest's Address to the Celebrants

Priest:  Love is innocence. Therefore, I ask you to bear it always in your minds & in your hearts to not allow the worries and shortcomings of the world in which you now participate to take away that innocence in which you have found one another. Fear is the forerunner of failure, courage is the beginning of virtue.
Act passionately - think rationally - be thyself.

XII. Affirmation of Intent

Priest:  [Name of Groom], is it your will to take [Name of Bride] to be your lawfully wedded wife - to hold, comfort and cherish from this day forward so long as you both shall live?

Groom:  It is my Will

Priest:  [Name of Bride], is it your will to take [Name of Groom] to be your lawfully wedded husband - to hold, comfort and cherish from this day forward for as long as you both shall live?

Bride:  It is my Will

XIII. Declaration of Vows

Rings are consecrated in the font and in the incense by the Priest. The Priest hands the appropriate ring to the groom.

Priest (to Groom):  You may now present your vows

The Groom states the Vows 3 and places the Ring on the Brides finger. The Priest then hands the Altar Candle to the Groom who then lights the Silver Solitary Candle held by his Second and hands the Altar Candle back to the Priest. The Priest then hands the appropriate ring to the Bride.

Priest (to Bride):  You may now present your vows

The Brides states the Vows 3 and places the Ring on the Grooms finger. The Priest then hands the Altar Candle to the Bride who then lights the Silver Solitary Candle held by her Second and hands the Altar Candle back to the Priest.

XIV. The Sacrifice of the One to the Whole

The Bride and the Groom take the Silver Solitary Candles from their Seconds , turn and face the Unity Candle.

Priest:  I am divided for Love's sake

Bride & Groom:  For the Chance of Union

Seconds:  This is the Creation of the World. 4

The Bride and Groom light the Unity Candle and then twine their arms and blow out the Silver Solitary Candles and Place them upon the Altar on either side of the Secondary Blue Alter Cloth.

XV. Final Benediction

Priest:
(Crosses Candle) Bless this Couple in the name of the Lord.

(Crosses couple & Congregation) The Lord bless you.
(Crosses couple & Congregation) The Lord enlighten your minds & comfort your hearts & sustain your bodies.
(Crosses couple & Congregation) The Lord bring you to the accomplishment of your true Wills, the Great Work, the Sonnum Bonum, True Wisdom & Perfect Happiness.

Benedic hoc Coniugum in Nomine Isae, Lilitae, Asaris, Zagrei, Matris Stellae Nostrae, Flammae in Animis Nostris, Infantis Coronati et Vicantis 5

XVI. Conclusion

Priest:  By the authority vested in me by the Ecclesia Gnostica Catholica and the State of Oregon, I pronounce you Husband and Wife. You may kiss the Bride.

Groom and Bride kiss.

Priest:  Brothers and Sisters, I present name & name surname.

Begin Music. The Bride and Groom exit, followed by their Seconds who are followed by the Priest and Deacon.

Footnotes

1.  Translation of Hebraic Invokation.

   Barucha aht Lilith GeveretBless Thee Lady Lilith
Barucha aht Aset Geveret Bless Thee Lady Isis
Barucha aht Geveret Bless Thee Lady
Baruch atah Zagreus Adonai  Bless Thee Lord Zagreus
Baruch atah Asar Adonai Bless Thee Lord Osiris
Baruch atah Adonai Bless Thee Lord

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2.  Translation of Latin Consecration

   Benedic hos Viros in Nomine DominiBless these Men in the name of the Lady
Benedic has Mulieres in Nomine Dominae Bless these Women in the name of the Lord

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3.  The Vows

    I present this ring as a sign of my troth with Thee.
    That I shall Love Thee.
    That I shall Listen to Thee.
    That I shall Hold Thee before all others.
    That I shall Respect Thee.
    That I shall Trust Thee.
    That I shall Believe in Thee.
    Further do I Pledge to Cleave unto Thee.
    And to allow no other to drive us apart.

    Aumgn

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4.  This is from Liber AL vel Legis (a.k.a. The Book of the Law) Chapter I, verses 29 & 30.

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5.  Latin Translation of final benediction.

   Benedic hoc Coniugum in Nomine Isae, Lilitae, Asaris, Zagrei, Matris Stellae Nostrae, Flammae in Animis Nostris, Infantis Coronati et Vicantis
Bless this union in the names of Isis, Lilith, Osiris, Zagreus, Our Mother of the Stars (Nuit), The Flame within our Hearts (Hadit) and the Crowned and Conquering Child (Heru-Ra-Ha -- Ra-Hoor-Khuit/Hoor-Paar-Kraat)

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