Handfasting-The Pagan Wedding

Humanist weddings performed by non-pastors with all the legal authority are more popular than Christian ones in Scotland.

In 2019, in Scotland, there were 5,879 Humanist weddings, constituting 23% of all marriages. 

There were 5,812 Christian weddings (including the Church of Scotland and the Roman Catholic Church), making up 22% of the overall number.

As people discover who they are, without all the nonsense of religious rigmarole, they enjoy life and each other more.

Regardless of the reason, the trend is clearly moving away from organized religion.

Humanists UK is celebrating the news and calling for England and Wales to join Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the Channel Islands in recognizing Humanist weddings.

In England and Wales, over 1,000 couples a year already have a humanist wedding without legal recognition. 

They all must have a separate civil marriage – usually at a registrar’s office – for their marriage to be legally recognized.

Progress is being made and its an example of people discovering who they are and the path they want to take.

Handfasting is either an engagement the wedding ceremony itself, so to be handfasted is equivalent to being married or at least being promised.

In the Middle Ages, Handfasting rituals were used as an engagement ritual.

As time went forward, Paganism began to grow and Pagans wanted marriage rituals that had an authentic significance without being religious. 

So, Handfasting and the jumping of the broom was included in the ceremony.

The ceremony can be conducted by Pagan clergy, someone in your circle, a friend, or by yourselves.

If a legal official who also happens to be Pagan conducts the ceremony, that's all you'll need, it's legal and official. 

But finding such a Pagan legal official can sometimes be difficult to find a clergy member who is also a legal official.

Pagans who want to become legally married will often have the legal paperwork and requirements completed at the local clerk's office or official government office.

If the legality, and paperwork fuss isn't required, anyone you desire can perform the ceremony.

We know giving the bride away is sentimental and traditional, but it comes with a stigma.

A bride isn't property to be given away, no one owns her, she is free to make this decision all by herself, with her free will.

Celtic Wedding Vow by Morgan Llywelyn

"You cannon possess me for I belong to myself

But while we both wish it, I give you that which is mine to give

You cannon command me, for I am a free person

But I shall serve you in those ways you require

and the honeycomb will taste sweeter coming from my hand.

I pledge to you that yours will be the name I cry aloud in the night

and the eyes into which I smile in the morning

I pledge to you the first bite of my meat and the first drink from my cup

I pledge to you my living and my dying, each equally in your care

I shall be a shield for your back and you for mine

I shall not slander you, nor you me

I shall honor you above all others, and when we quarrel we shall do so in private 

and tell no strangers our grievances.

This is my wedding vow to you.

This is the marriage of equals."

So in our Pagan Kitchen world, no one gives the bride away, but that's just us.

Once all that's decided, there's the ceremony itself.

Vows will need to be decided upon, maybe a white dress with a veil, this practice goes back to ancient Pagan Rome, when brides wore brightly colored veils to protect themselves from evil spirits.

Perhaps the sharing of wine by the couple. 

Vows can be anything you want to say.

Here's are a few examples:

I promise to be faithful to you.

I promise to treat you with kindness, respect, appreciation and love.

I promise to participate in our relationship, even during hardships.

I promise to make humor and laughter an integral part of our family.

I promise to love you with all of my heart, honor you with all of my actions, and treasure you. 

I promise to keep you warm when you get cold, and to stand in the way of the sun when it gets hot.

And wherever we go, I promise to be there, holding your hand and telling you, “I love you.”

You’re my best friend.

Let’s get really old together, thank you for marrying me.

Here's a Celtic Wedding Vow

“I pledge my love to you, and everything that I own.

I promise you the first bite of my meat and the first sip from by cup.

I pledge that your name will aways be the name I cry aloud in the dead of night.

I promise to honor you above all others.

Our love is never-ending, and we will remain, forevermore, equals in our marriage.

This is my wedding vow to you.”

Pagans like to stand during weddings, some stand or sit in a circle for Pagan ceremonies.

Sometimes there is the blessing of the area where the ritual is being conducted with the burning of incense, ringing bells, banging drums, casting a circle In order to eliminate any negative energies from wherever they may come.

The elements of Earth, Air, Water, and Fire are usually included, both in words and physically present.

The earth we stand upon for this ritual, the air we breathe, the water can be displayed in any kind of vessel and the flame of candles to represent the element of fire.

These elements are the ingredients of life and creation, how wonderful at a Pagan 

As mentioned earlier, Handfasting is the binding of a couple's hands and or wrists together as a unity ritual within the ceremony. The the couple themselves may tie the knot, maybe it would it the official or by friends or a family member.

The couple decides how long to remain tied in Handfasting, but usually they remain this way during the vows and exchange of the rings.

Handfasting Ceremony Vows

Do you, groom), take (bride)to be your wife, 

to be her constant friend, 

her partner in life, and her true love?

To love her without reservation, 

honor and respect her, 

protect her from harm, 

comfort her in times of distress, 

and to grow with her in mind and spirit?

Do you, (bride), take (groom) to be your husband, 

to be his constant friend, 

his partner in life, and his true love?

To love him without reservation, 

honor and respect him, 

protect him from harm, 

comfort him in times of distress, 

and to grow with?

The Giving of Rings Exchange 

I take you my heart

At the rising of the moon

And the setting of the stars.

To love and to honour

Through all that may come.

Through all our lives together

In all our lives,

May we be reborn

That we may meet and know

And love again,

And remember

The jumping over the wedding broom Is common in Pagan weddings.

The broom represents a new threshold, a new beginning into married life. 

As brooms are used for cleaning and sweeping, it can symbolize the sweeping away of the old from your past to start fresh. The handle of a broom is somewhat phallic in shape and the brush is shaped somewhat like a woman's skirt, so these two things combined can symbolize fertility and union. 

A broom also symbolizes the daily life of being married; caring for one another.

Salted Caramel Apple Snickers Cake

From Half Baked Harvest we have a great harvest cake, it’s perfect for anytime of year.

Prep Time 1 HOUR

Cook Time 45 MINUTES 

Resting time 2 HOURS 15 MINUTES

Total Time4 HOURS

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon allspice
• 3 eggs at room temperature
• 3/4 cup canola oil
• 1 1/2 cups unsweetened apple sauce
• 1 1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup + 2 tablespoons strong brewed coffee hot (or warm apple cider)

Salted Caramel

• 2 cups heavy cream
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup honey or corn syrup
• 1 cup apple cider
• 1/2 cup (1 stick) salted butter
• 1 tablespoon bourbon
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt + flakey salt for sprinkling
• 3 your favorite SMALL apples * I used granny smith and honeycrisp
• 6 twigs or wooden sticks

Snickers Frosting

• 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter not the oily kind
• 1/3 cup salted caramel ingredients above
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup salted peanuts chopped + more for garnish

Chocolate Coating

• 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream

Instructions

To make the Cake

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease three 8-inch (or 9 inch) round cake pans. 
• Line with parchment paper, then butter/spray with cooking spray.
• In a medium size bowl combine the flour, sugar, unsweetened cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, allspice and salt. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer (or use a hand held mixer) beat together the eggs, canola oil, apple sauce, and vanilla until smooth.
  
• Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients with the mixer on low until there are no longer any clumps of flour. 
• Add the hot coffee and mix until combined. Batter should be pourable, but not super thin.
• Pour the batter among the 3 cake pans and bake 20 to 25 minutes, until the tops are just set and no longer wiggly in the center. Remove and let cool five minutes, then run a knife around the edges of the pan. 
• Grab 3 large flat plates, line them with wax or parchment paper and invert the cakes onto the paper lined plates. 
• Cover and let the cakes cool completely before frosting.

To Make the Caramel + Frosting

• Place sugar, honey and apple cider in a large saucepan. 
• Bring to a boil, boil, without stirring, 9 minutes or until light golden in color. 
• Add the heavy cream, butter, bourbon, and vanilla, slowly stirring into pan. 
• Boil for 10-15 minutes or until a candy thermometer reads 210 degrees F., stirring frequently. 
• Remove the sauce from heat and add the salt. 
• Using a heat proof measuring cup scoop out 1 cup of caramel sauce and allow it to cool. 
• Cover the remaining sauce and set aside until the cake is ready (I just covered my pot and set it aside overnight).
  
• Now make the frosting, add the butter, cream cheese and powdered sugar to the bowl of stand mixer (or use a hand held mixer). 
• Beat together until the butter is light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. 
• Add the peanut butter, 1/3 cup of the cooled caramel sauce and the vanilla, beat, scraping down the sides as needed, another 2 minutes or until there are no streaks. 
• Stir in the chopped peanuts.To Assemble the Cake

• Place 1 layer of cake, flat side up, on a plate or cake stand. 
• Drizzle the cake with a little salted caramel sauce (from the reserved 1 cup, not from the pot of caramel). 
• With a knife or offset spatula, spread the top with frosting. Place the second layer on top, rounded side up, and drizzle with caramel. 
• Spread the frosting evenly on the top. 
• Add the final layer of cake and drizzle with the remaining caramel. 
• Frost the top and sides of the cake. Don't worry about it being too perfect as you will be covering most of it up. 
• Place the cake in fridge.
• To make the chocolate coating. In a microwave safe bowl add the chocolate and cream. 
• Microwave on high for 30 second intervals, stirring between each until melted. 
• Allow the sauce to cool 3-5 minutes, and then pour the sauce onto the middle of the cake and spread to just the sides, allow the sauce to drip down the sides of the cake. 
• Place the cake in the fridge preferably overnight, but at least 1 1/2 hours. 
• You need the chocolate to be completely set and the frosting firm.

To Finish.

• Once the cake is cool, grab that reserved caramel sauce in the pot. 
• Place it back over medium-high heat and bring it to a boil. 
• Boil for 15-20 minutes or until a candy thermometer reads between 220-230 degrees F (I let mine go to 225 and it was perfect). 
• Remove the sauce from the stove and let is cool 15-20 minutes, stirring every so often. 
• Make sure the caramel does not become too stiff. 
• If it stiffens too much you will not be able to dip the apples. 
• While the sauce cools, push the twigs or wooden sticks into the top of the apples. 
• Line a baking sheet with wax paper.
• When the caramel has cooled (it should be a little thicker now, but still pourable), pour about half the caramel over the cake and allow it to fall down the sides of the cake. 
• Working quickly, dip the apples into the remaining caramel and place the in the center of cake. 
• Sprinkle the cake with flakey salt and peanuts. 
• Make room in the fridge for the cake and refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. 
• The caramel should never get completely hard, but should be more of a soft firm. 
• Once the caramel is firm, store the cake in the fridge until ready to serve. 
• Allow the cake to sit 15 minutes at room temp before serving. 
• Please note: that this is a delicate and with all the toppings it is a bit tricky to slice. 
• Your slices will not be perfect.

Notes

*To cut the cake, I recommend removing the apples and then carefully slicing the cake. 

This is a messy cake guys, the slices will not be perfect. *If you prefer, you do not have to add the caramel apples to the cake. 

It does make the cake a little hard to cut, so you can either skip them or serve them on the side of the cake. *It is important to use small, light apples. 

If you use large apples, the cake has a greater chance of caving in. 

Vikings and Kittens

In Viking tradition, when a warrior and a maiden decided to marry, it was common practice for members of the Viking community to give the new bride a kitten or kittens. 

Kittens were often given to new brides as an essential part of setting up a new household. 

It is especially appropriate that brides should receive cats, since cats were associated with the Goddess Freyja.

Eggshell Powder

Egg shell powder is useful in witchcraft because it protects and purifies.

It helps block non-corporal beings from a physical space so pressing it into chalk form, or sprinkling it can work as a barrier to keep unwanted nasties at bay.

Some say it even blocks out the benign energies at work as well.

Sprinkle it across thresholds such as windows and doors or even use it to draw sigils.

It can also be used to enhance psychic ability in a way because it protects you from that which seeks to take advantage of you when your engaged in psychic activity.

Simply rubbing a little of the powder on you or dabbing a dot onto your third eye energy point is said achieve this.

Another use is purification and is especially useful in the bath.

It dissolves easily in water so adding it to a bath intended for purification can amp up the cleansing effect.

How to make it:

Boil water in a pot

Place empty eggs shells in boiling water carefully (don’t burn yourself)

Boil for 10 minutes

Drain water from shells and place on paper towel to dry overnight

When shells are completely dried, place them on a cookie sheet lined with parchment

Bake egg shells for about 10 minutes or until they are completely dried at 200 degrees (F)

When cool enough to handle, place egg shells a few at time into an electric coffee grinder and pulse until finely ground

Store in airtight container away from heat or moisture.

To protect from Salmonella (a harmful bacteria that can make you sick) store your used egg shells in the egg carton and refrigerate until you are ready to boil your shells, making sure never to leave them sitting out for long.

Added bonus: Egg shells make great plant food so you can share with your plants.