
In this
ceremony, the participants form both a circle and a horseshoe. A
larger outer circle containing a smaller horseshoe-shaped group
of participants, or a small circle enclosed in a large horse-shoe
may be formed by participants.
Once both circle and horseshoe are formed, the DRUID and DRUIDESS
who will supervise the rite enter. The Circle is cast by the DRUID
and blessed and consecrated by the DRUIDESS. They then say
'Welcome!' and all reply 'Welcome!' The DRUID and DRUIDESS then
say, 'Oh Great Spirit/Goddess we ask for your Blessing on this our
ceremony.' The Gates are then opened by those at the Quarters:
DRUID:
Let the four directions be honoured that power and radiance might
enter our circle for the good of all beings.
CALLER OF THE NORTH:
With the blessing of the great bear of the starry heavens and the
deep and fruitful earth, we call upon the powers of the North.
CALLER OF THE SOUTH:
With the blessing of the great stag in the heat of the chase and
the inner fire of the sun, we call upon the powers of the South.
CALLER OF THE WEST:
With the blessing of the salmon of wisdom who dwells within the
sacred waters of the pool, we call upon the powers of the West.
CALLER OF THE EAST:
With the blessing of the hawk of dawn soaring in the clear pure
air, we call upon the powers of the East.
DRUIDESS:
May the harmony of our circle be complete.
DRUID:
We stand upon this Holy Earth and in the Face of Heaven to witness
the Sacred Rite of Marriage between (GROOM) and (BRIDE). Just as
we come together as family and friends so we ask for the Greater
Powers to be present here within our Circle. May this Sacred Union
be filled with their Holy Presence.
(pause)
By the power vested in me I invoke the God of Love whose name is
Aengus mac Og to be present in this Sacred Place. In his name is
Love declared.
DRUIDESS:
By the power vested in me I invoke the Goddess of the Bright Flame
whose name is Brigid to be present in this Sacred Place. In Her
name is Peace declared.
DRUID:
In the name of the Ancestors whose Traditions we honour,
DRUIDESS: In the name of those who gave us Life,
BOTH: May we all unite in Love.
DRUIDESS: The joining together of Man and Woman in the Sacred Rite
of Marriage brings together great forces from which may flow the
seeds of future generations to be nurtured within the womb of Time.
Within every Masculine nature lies the Feminine, within every Feminine
nature lies the Masculine. The interplay of Masculine and Feminine
forces when flowing freely in a union based upon true Love finds
many expressions. This union is truly Holy.
DRUID: Goddess to God,
FEMALE PARTICIPANT 1: God to Goddess,
MALE PARTICIPANT 1: Priestess to Priest,
FEMALE PARTICIPANT 2: Priest to Priestess,
MALE PPARTICIPANT 2: Woman to Man,
FEMALE PARTICIPANT 3: Man to Woman,
MALE PARTICIPANT 3: Mother to Son,
FEMALE PARTICIPANT 4: Son to Mother,
MALE PARTICIPANT 4: Daughter to Father,
FEMALE PARTICIPANT 5: Father to Daughter,
MALE PARTICPANT 5: Sister to Brother.
DRUIDESS: Brother to Sister.
DRUID:
Who walks the Path of the Moon to stand before Heaven and declare
her Sacred Vows? (BRIDE steps forward) Do you (BRIDE) come
to this place of your own free will?
BRIDE: I do.
DRUIDESS:
Who walks the Path of the Sun to stand upon this Holy Earth and
declare his Sacred Vows? (GROOM steps forward) Do you (GROOM)
come to this place of your own free will?
GROOM:
I do.
(Both BRIDE and GROOM walk the paths of the sun and moon [clockwise
and anti-clockwise] around the circle, returning to the East)
DRUID:
(GROOM) and (BRIDE) you have walked the Circles of the Sun and Moon,
will you now walk together the Circle of Time, travelling through
the Elements and the Seasons?
BRIDE and GROOM: We will.
(They Walk hand in hand to South)
CALLER OF THE SOUTH:
Will your love survive the harsh fires of change?
BRIDE and GROOM: It will.
CALLER OF THE SOUTH:
Then accept the Blessing of the Element of Fire in this the place
of Summer. May your home be filled with warmth.
(Walk together
to West)
CALLER OF THE WEST:
Will your love survive the ebb and flow of feeling?
BRIDE and GROOM: It will.
CALLER OF THE WEST:
Then accept the Blessing of the Element of Water in this the place
of Autumn. May your life together be filled with love.
(Walk together to North)
CALLER OF THE NORTH: Will your love survive the times of stillness
and restriction?
BRIDE and GROOM: It will.
CALLER OF THE NORTH:
Then accept the Blessing of the Element of Earth in this the place
of Winter. May your union be strong and fruitful.
(Walk together
to East)
CALLER OF THE EAST:
Will your love survive the clear light of Day?
BRIDE and GROOM: It will.
CALLER OF THE EAST:
Then accept the Blessing of the Element of Air in this the Place
of Spring. May your marriage be blessed by the Light of every new
Dawn.
DRUIDESS: All things in Nature are circular - night becomes day,
day becomes night and night becomes day again. The moon waxes and
wanes and waxes again. There is Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter and
then the Spring returns. These things are part of the Great Mysteries.
(GROOM) and (BRIDE), do you bring your symbols of these Great Mysteries
of Life?
BRIDE and GROOM: We do.
DRUID:
Then before all present repeat these words.
BRIDE (facing GROOM and handing him the ring):
Accept in freedom this circle of gold as a token of my vows. With
it I pledge my love, my strength and my friendship. I bring thee
joy now and for ever. I vow upon this Holy Earth that through you
I will honour all men.
GROOM (facing BRIDE and handing her the ring):
Accept in freedom this circle of gold as a token of my vows. With
it I pledge my love, my strength and my friendship. I bring thee
joy now and for ever. I vow in the face of Heaven that through you
I will honour all women.
BRIDE:
In the name of Brighid I bring you the warmth of my heart.
(BRIDE is handed a lighted taper by her MOTHER or FEMALE PARTICIPANT)
GROOM: In the name of Aengus mac Og I bring you the light of my
love
(GROOM is handed a lighted taper by his FATHER or MALE PARTICIPANT)
BRIDE and GROOM both light a single candle together. (This candle
could be kept and relit at each anniversary)
ALL:
May the warmth and the light of your union be blessed.
DRUID:
Do you swear upon the Sword of Justice to keep sacred your vows?
BRIDE and GROOM: We swear.
DRUIDESS:
Then seal your promise with a kiss.
DRUID:
Beneficent Spirits and Souls of our Ancestors, accept the union
of your children. Help them, guide them, protect and bless their
home and the children born of their union. May their life together
reflect the harmony of all life in its perfect union. May they work
together in times of ease and times of hardship, knowing that they
are truly blessed. From this time forth you walk together along
Life's Path; may your way be Blessed.
(BRIDE and GROOM walk together sunwise around the circle to be greeted
by each of the PARTICIPANTS, then stand together west of centre)
DRUID: It is the hour of recall. As the fire dies down let it be
re-lit in your hearts. May your memories hold what the eye and ear
have gained.
DRUIDESS:
We thank the Powers of Love and Peace for their presence within
this Sacred Place. Let us offer the words that unite all Druids:
Grant, O God/dess, thy Protection
And in Protection, Strength
And in Strength, Understanding
And in Understanding, Knowledge
And in Knowledge, The Knowledge of Justice
And in the Knowledge of Justice, the Love of it
And in the Love of it, The Love of all Existences
And in the Love of all Existences, the Love of the God/ess and all
Goodness.
DRUID:
Let the spirits of the Four Directions be thanked for their blessings.
CALLER OF THE EAST:
In the name of the hawk of dawn and of the element air, we thank
the powers of the East.
CALLER OF THE WEST:
In the name of the salmon of wisdom and the element of water we
thank the powers of the West.
CALLER OF THE SOUTH:
In the name of the great stag and of the element of fire, we thank
the powers of the South.
CALLER OF THE NORTH:
In the name of the great bear of the starry heavens and of the element
of earth, we thank the powers of the North.
DRUID:
May the blessing of the Uncreated One, of her Daughter/his Son The
Created Word and of the Spirit that is the Inspirer be always with
us. May the world be filled with Harmony and Light.
DRUIDESS:
Let us now form the Three Circles of Existence.
(The married COUPLE hold hands, forming the central circle. The
PARTICIPANTS in the OUTER CIRCLE and the HORSESHOE hold hands to
form two further circles.)
ALL:
We swear by peace and love to stand
Heart to heart and hand in hand
Mark O Spirit and hear us now
Confirming this our Sacred Vow.
DRUID:
This Sacred Rite of Marriage ends in peace, as in peace it began.
Let us withdraw, holding peace and love in our hearts until we meet
again.
The DRUID unwinds the circle and exits with DRUIDESS sunwise. GROOM
and BRIDE follow. Then the rest of the INNER CIRCLE. Then the OUTER
CIRCLE walk across the centre in pairs and out through the western
gate.