How to Celebrate Beltane, the Pagan Fire Festival, with a Handfasting

As a child I wondered what it meant when adults talked about May Day. Now I understand that it was a spring celebration. Since becoming a Wiccan two years ago I have also learned that this is also called Beltane. Beltane is one of the fire festivals celebrating the turning of the wheel of the year. Fire represents change and transformation, renewal, and re-birth. The Beltane festivals are very similar to the May Day celebration in which you tie colored ribbons around a pole erected ( The May Pole). In this case the two ribbons being intertwined around the pole, represent the union of the God and Goddess.This was also to represent fertility, the pole being a male symbol and the ribbon represents a female symbol. Baby animals are born this time of year so we celebrate and are thankful for good crops and continued harvests.

This would be a great time to plan a Wedding or Handfasting ceremony. A Handfasting is similar to a Wedding ceremony, except that it doesn't have to be legalized. Originally a Handfasting is when a couple decided that they want to be together and the length of the contract is a year and a day. They have a Priest/Priestess to perform the ceremony, dress in whatever clothes they choose ( some go for a Renaissance period costume, Pirate or King Arthur's Knights of the round table) have some food and drink for the guests, have a table or altar to hold the candles and things for the ceremony, and invite friends and family to participate. You can really make this whatever you want it to be. I have seen the brides dressed in a type of fairy costume with their faces painted, and the grooms dressed in armor with swords. Or the couple can dress as their favorite characters, use your imagination. Most everything can be purchased fairly inexpensively. Have the ceremony in your backyard or at the park. Costumes can be rented from a costume shop or you can make your own if you're creative. Food and drinks can be made inexpensively or you can opt for take out from your favorite restaurant. The wedding cake can be made or purchased ahead of time.

The ceremony is conducted first with participation from the invited friends and family, then the couple exchange rings and say the vows that they have written themselves. After this the hands of the bride and groom are wrapped with two intertwined ribbons crossed over each other symbolizing a binding together as one. The ceremony is finished and the new couple is introduced. If you are having it in a backyard you can have a small bonfire or pit fire where guests can sit and eat and enjoy themselves. Just make sure to have plenty of light with either candles or outdoor lanterns, plenty of places for guests to sit comfortably and plenty of food. Have a camera for photos of the couple and wedding guests, and a guestbook to sign .

This is a general overview of a Handfasting Ceremony, if you'd like more information I have provided some resources below.

Resources:

Websites:
http://www.handfasting.info/
http://www.workingwitch.com/handfasting/handfasting4.html
http://www.paganlibrary.com/rituals_spells/handfasting_ritual_5.php

Books:
Handfasting and Wedding rituals (paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/Handfasting-Wedding-Rituals-Welcoming-Blessing/dp/0738704709
Amazon.com for $12.89

Passages Handfasting: A pagan guide to commitment rituals (paperback)
http://www.amazon.com/Passages-Handfasting-Pagan-Commitment-Rituals/dp/1598694472/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Amazon.com for $8.76