HANDFASTING CEREMONY
A handfasting is an old Pagan custom, dating back to the time of the ancient Celts. A handfasting was originally more like an engagement period, where two people would declare a binding union between themselves for a year and a day.
The original handfasting was a trial marriage. It gave the couple the chance to see if they could survive marriage to each other. After a year and a day goes by the couple could either split as if they had never been married or could decide to enter permanently into marriage.
The original handfasting was a trial marriage. It gave the couple the chance to see if they could survive marriage to each other. After a year and a day goes by the couple could either split as if they had never been married or could decide to enter permanently into marriage.
The term Handfasting originates from the Old Norse term hand-festa, meaning "to strike a bargain by joining hands". In modern times, handfasting is a ceremony often practised by members of the Pagan faith. The handfasting may also be completed by the traditional act of jumping over a broom.