Well, the question below about an Athiestic marriage got me thinking. What about Wiccan marriage? (I've asked a similar question before but... didn't get a good answer. I had worded the questions very strangely).
Anyways, Wiccans generally have a handfasting. But handfastings don't legally join you.
I know you could have a Justice of Peace or a judge marry you, but how would you, as wiccans, go about it?
Would you not have a handfasting, and just have the Justice of Peace marry you?
Would you just do a handfasting and not be legally joined at all?
Would you do a handfasting ceremony, then go over to the Justice of Peace and have him marry you by law?
Of course, the decison would also be based on your partner's religion too. But I'm just curious how other Wiccans were married.
2007-09-08 14:16:01 · 5 answers · asked by Mariah 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Some Wiccans and other Pagans would have the religious ceremony and then the civil one, some would have only the religious one.
Now, this does not take into account that there are many Pagans and Wiccans that have legal clergy credentials and therefore can perform both aspects (religious and civil). I know a few that do that (and am studying right now for my legal credentials)
2007-09-08 14:26:25 · answer #1 · answered by Anne Hatzakis 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I am a Wiccan who is also a marriage commissioner -- that is, someone legally sanctioned to perform marriages. And in fact I just performed a handfasting/legal marriage this evening.
We held the handfasting ceremony first, and immediately afterwards put our signatures (the bride, the groom, two witnesses, and myself) to the marriage license the couple had obtained about a week earlier. They are now legally married. In the service, I stated: "Therefore, by the power vested in me as a Wiccan priestess, and as a duly appointed marriage commissioner of the province of Manitoba, I do declare before all here assembled, in the presence of the Ancient Ones, that you are husband and wife. You may now share the first kiss of marriage."
Had the couple wished, I could have had them sign the paperwork in ritual space, during the ceremony, before actually binding their hands. In that case, the moment of legal marriage and of handfasting would be so close together as to be practically the same thing.
2007-09-09 00:13:33 · answer #2 · answered by prairiecrow 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well most Wiccans get married just like everyone else, and then get handfasted afterwards (or before... I don't think it matters a great deal). I'd imagine any rational couple would be able to compensate in one way or another (for instance if the bride is Wiccan but the husband is Christian)... you know, have a church wedding but also get handfasted.
2007-09-08 21:25:16 · answer #3 · answered by xx. 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Some Wiccan Priests/Priestesses are ordained clergy. They either belong to a large, nationally recognized group, or they receive ordination from The Universal Life Church or similar groups.
2007-09-08 21:26:54 · answer #4 · answered by H.P. Crowley 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What an interesting question! (seriously!)
I guess I'd like to ask one of my own...why do wiccans get married? Wouldn't an increase in sexual partners permit an increase of opportunity for sexual magick?
The others answered the question how (they seem to suggest it doesn't really matter) but I'm curious as to why. Why follow the Christian marriage plan at all? Certainly the ancient peoples didn't.
2007-09-08 22:04:00 · answer #5 · answered by "Ski" 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋