Handfasting - Definition and Overview

Handfasting is a Neopagan (especially Wiccan) term for a wedding. It can be performed for heterosexual or homosexual couples (see also Same-sex marriage).

Handfasting comes from an old Celtic ceremony, in which the couple's hands are tied together, hence, "tying the knot". Some handfastings, such as the Telltown marriages, took place once per year, on Lughnasadh, and all the unmarried people would get together and be married, usually with no knowledge of to whom they were marrying until that day. The marriage would last until the next Lughnasadh. At that time, they were free to leave (provided there were no children) or continue to be married.

However, nowadays, a handfasting can be an engagement period of a year (the Celtic "year and a day" was their legal year and actually amounted to 365 days), sometimes the couple can choose to be handfasted "for as long as love shall last," or it can be made a legal marriage ceremony.

Usually, at least a few of the following are involved that set handfastings apart from other wedding ceremonies:

• jumping the broom
• binding of the hands
• drinking from a chalice
• performance of the ceremony skyclad
• performance of the ceremony by a High Priest or High Priestess or both
• three-part kiss or five-part kiss
• the Great Rite
• creation of a marriage altar beforehand

A corresponding divorce ceremony called a handparting is sometimes practiced.