:) Blessed be! Well, we are hooked! Wonderful article. During the Victorian era, veils stood as a symbol of the bride's submissiveness and obedience to her husband. This ancient Viking symbol is one of power and strength. Even the wedding cake can be seen as a fertility symbol . I knew most of them, but I only work with some of them. In fact, in some parts of the world, self-uniting ceremonies are still perfectly valid and legal. The sun wheel is associated with fire and magic as well as fire and masculine energy. This adds a sense of balance and harmony to the proceedings. In ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, the gods were always seen carrying an ankh, making it a symbol of divinity. Cleansing the area (or yourself) with smoke can also help. Jumping over a broom is an old pagan custom that was once used for good luck in marriage ceremonies. Thanks for this! Many Druids believe that all these things also have a soul and consciousness -- something common to animistic faiths. This'll be a handy reference. I know that I have learnt so much and met with people I would not have had the opportunity too if it had not been for the internet. Modern Wiccans sometimes believe that the five fingers represent the five blessings of Love, Money, Health, Wisdom and Power. Its also worth noting that the racist, white-supremacist form of the faith is largely based in the USA the more traditional groups in Scandinavia are much more awesome. Also known as the Eye of Providence, this symbol consists of an eye, typically enclosed in a triangle, with rays of light surrounding it. Answer: I think you would be able to find some using a Google image search. The Ouroboros is a drawing of a serpent eating its own tail, and it symbolizes the eternal nature of the universe and the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. Your Friend, KENNETH. As a charm, the Ankh is a symbol of immortality and is believed to bring good luck and good fortune. It symbolizes masculine energy and fertility. There are plenty of ways to personalize and customize your vows, one of which is to align your words with your religion and beliefs. The element of air is associated with the color yellow and white, communication, wisdom, and the mind. Love is a gift that keeps on giving, and we must harness it for ourselves and for others. Where I live, Id only heard of Asatru being a white-supremacist religion. Do you suppose the Horned God is based on bulls, oxen, and other livestock, the spirits of which rural pagans have traditionally worshiped (amongst other things that kept them alive or played a significant role in daily life on the land)? Simple enough for children to understand and historically sound. Have you heard of silicone rings? . Especially if the young woman was already pregnant! The handfasting ritual is so beautiful. Calling Various Spirits 8. For instance, they can include other unity ceremonies, such as the unity sand ceremony or the jumping of the besom broom. Each element has features that Pagans revere, such as strength, courage, humility, and peace. The officiant may also ask the guests for their approval of the marriage. You have a safe, successful day. Will you both assist one another in developing your spirit and intellect? 3 + 4 = 7, which can be seen as heaven and earth coming together as a whole. There are more ways than colors can . In the simplest terms, Druidism is a spiritual practice centered in the veneration of and interaction with the gods and spirits of the natural world. ceremony-tone-and-feelceremony-planningprofessional-officiantswedding-planningpagan-wedding-ritualswiccan-weddingwedding-and-ceremony-planningreligion-and-rituals. The custom of throwing grain, rice, or confetti is another fertility symbol. This is reflected in Pagan wedding vows, 10 examples of which are given below. Officiant: Do you promise to view each other as equals and to act in accordance with this equality? Need inspiration? It also represents their combined strength and commitment to each other, which is why most Pagan weddings include some form of handfasting or binding ritual. Thank you! His entire family is Christian to varying degrees from sure Im Christian, but dont go to church to You are a Satan worshiper if you so much as burn incense. I am now planning on Handfasting, and doing an Offering at my ceremony, and maybe some others. You may be surprised at how familiar much of the ceremony will be. Air, fire, water, and Earth. Sh D'Montford. The triple moon symbol represents the three phases of the moon, known as waxing, full, and waning. In the simplest terms, Heathenism is the worship of and relationship to pre-Christian Germanic, Norse, and Viking spirits, gods, and goddesses. Many people think these symbols have something to do with the devil. With deep ties to ancient Celtic spiritual traditions, modern Druidry is marked by a search for harmony, balance, and closeness with the natural world, and the veneration and respect for all living things, including the earth. Triskele is found on Kuru Janpada coins (India) also from 4th century BC. As Christianity began to spread across Europe, the new Church lacked the resources to have a clergyman in every rural village and hamlet. Within some paths and traditions, this symbol is also known as the triple goddess and is used to show the three phases of womanhood: maiden, mother, and crone. Click On The Magic Bottle! Altar your thinking: alternative wedding planning. Jewish people have the star of David which was David's shield and stands for the six days of creation and the very center is the seventh day of rest. So please don't fear that you may witness an animal sacrifice at a Pagan ritual; many of us are vegan and are strong supporters of animal rights! Pagan ceremonies can be religious or non-religious, but they always have a common thread: showing respect for your ancestors and celebrating love with friends and family. Answer: Many symbols can be used in protection: for example the pentagram or ankh. From Earth, we ask for thankfulness, unity, and growth. Out of all the symbols used in ancient Norse mythology, Thor's Hammer is one of the most well-known in the modern world. To seal this bond, (Partner A) and (Partner B), will you please share a kiss? In some parts of Europe, such as Scotland, the word handfasting was used to say that a couple was engaged. May you be filled with joy for the rest of your days. As such, the Church would send circuit priests to travel to out-of-the-way parishes during the warmer months. Question: Which pagan symbol could I use to rid my home and body of evil spirits? Glad the blog could help you. So much easier, and more encompassing, then anything I might write myself. An ancient pagan symbol of the sun, adopted by gnostics, neopagans, and occultists. The three examples listed above are all reconstructed from ancient practices found in Europe, predominantly Northern Europe. Goddess . Love life and eachother. Before we get into the details, let's back up a bit and have a quick history lesson. Green is the grass on which you walk; blue is the heavens above you; innocence is pure. They believe that all natural things, from human to tree to stream to stone, have inherent value, and share an interconnected purpose. 925 Sterling Silver Celtic Wicca Pagan Eternity Ring (Sizes 2-15) 4.2 out of 5 stars 142. That is very appreciated. What does it mean when it's upside down? In Greek mythology, the God Asclepius, known as the god of healing and medicine, wielded a staff with a serpent coiled around it. Common denominations of Wicca in the US include Celtic, Gardnerian, and Eclectic Wicca, and the solo practice of Hedgewitchery. The Eye of Horus is believed by many to have healing and protective powers as well as the ability to ward off evil spirits. The triskele is generally considered to be a Celtic design, but it has also been found in Buddhist writings. Scroll down for sample wedding and handfasting scripts. Your email address will not be published. The Pentacle is possibly the most well known but often misunderstood pagan symbol. Wedding rings have pagan origins . Love grows and thrives when you nurture it and when you give it the space and care it needs. Fantastic work! Officiant: The vows of love have been declared. Historically, pagan meant anyone who was non-Christian and was used in a derogatory way, and the term has been reclaimed and redefined in many ways since those early days. The Chalice or Cup is a pagan ritual tool. Congrats on your upcoming wedding, sounds like an amazing ceremony! A mountaineer of the name of Tell boldly traversed the space before it without saluting the abhorred symbol. Read on for all the details! I love all this stuff and I'm copying all these symbols into a blank book so I can memorise them and gain more knowledge on witchcraft and paganism. You will probably see the couple exchanging rings or some other token of their love, such as necklaces. Claire (author) from Lincolnshire, UK on January 21, 2012: Your welcome :) some people view the pentacle as evil due to it's association with Satanism but they generally use an inverted pentacle. I dont practice Paganism or Wiccan, but my mother was one. I feel commended to be followed by a high priest. The union would later be formally blessed by the church when the circuit priest came to visit. Many health organizations use the symbol, though it is commonly confused with the caduceus, due to the similarities between the two. A symbol used with many different meanings, including but not limited to, gold, citrinitas, sulfur, the divine spark of man, nobility, and incorruptibility. Welcome Statement Thor wields the hammer known as Mjlnir, a powerful weapon that would always hit its intended target. It can be adapted to include some of the elements you want for your wedding ceremony. This symbol was also placed on Egyptian coffins so that the person would be protected in the afterlife. The main traditions that Pagans subscribe to is handfasting (tying your hands together as a sign of unity). Lyn.Stewart from Auckland, New Zealand on February 06, 2014: Claire (author) from Lincolnshire, UK on November 29, 2013: Thank you. Officiant repeats and addresses partner B. It's also difficult to ask young people in love to wait so long before they can make a home together. Viking weddings can often last several days and nights. (My wife loves Cadence and Pinkie Pie lol. An altar may hold typical Wiccan ritual symbols - or it may not be present at all. Cleansing a Sacred Space 7. The star in this symbol is used to represent the four classical elements of earth, air, water, and fire, plus spirit. Officiant: Do you promise to be supportive of each others aspirations? This symbol, often used by Wiccans, is used as a sign of life. Officiant: (Name of Partner A), please give (Name of Partner B) the ring. Thanks! on May 10, 2014: Good article. I was raised church of christ and was forced to go but never felt right about it like I was lost and didn't agree with what they said but feel like I am looking for something that is more and really feel like I belong there and apart of.. Claire (author) from Lincolnshire, UK on November 24, 2015: Awesome information!!! These are the hands that will wipe away your tears time and time again, tears of sorrow and joy. Water is a healing and purifying element that is connected to the West. The Claddagh Ring - represents love, loyalty, and friendship. Will you both try to alleviate one anothers anguish and suffering, sharing joy and pleasure? Spirals can also be found in many instances in nature, for example, galaxies and seashells. Moreover, runes had also magical meaning and Vikingsbelieved they could bring happiness, joy, wealth, love, power, strength and even death. Pagan Wedding Considerations for Couples by Selena Fox Permission to reproduce or adapt these must be obtained from Selena Fox in writing in advance. Over time the ankh has come to symbolize eternal life and immortality to people from many walks of life. The arrival of neo-Pagan religions like Wicca furthered this trend. The officiant, generally a priest, priestess, or revered friend, will light incense or sage and invite the gods, goddesses, and spirits to gather as a spiritual circle around the physical circle. Explore the origins of ancient Paganism and learn how to add the magic of handfasting into your own wedding or commitment ceremony. In Aleister Crowley's occult order Thelema, a five-petaled flower is placed in the middle to represent the pentacle and the five classical elements. Orange, for example, can act as a symbol of encouragement, blue can act as a symbol of loyalty and patience, and red can act as a symbol of strength. Viking weddings often include traditional clothing, drinking, songs, and ceremonial fire. These are the hands that will passionately adore. Question: Is Paganism considered to be Satanism? Its an ancient Celtic wedding custom that has been adopted into modern weddings. Modern Paganism is highly influenced by environmentalism, feminism, and other modern value systems. Thanks. Answer: I have seen this symbol used to represent a fire or cauldron. From the Princess of Wales and her baby to clown prince John Candy and his daughter, way back to president Abe Lincoln and his son -- the joy of parenthood shines through.History's mysteries always draw us in, whether it's a 1,400-year-old monument carved by . Pagan Protection Symbols 8. This content is accurate and true to the best of the authors knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional. The origin of this custom was the desire that every maiden should have at her marriage, or sale, that which is spoken of in the Pentateuch as "the token of virginity." I will be sharing this with friends and family. 99. Sources for the Symbols Archaeology perhaps offers the best testament to early Norse symbols and traditions. Very well-written. I've landed twice on your site now while looking for information on Pagan Spiritualism. 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