By Manny Olds and Gary Asmussen
11 February 2001
Brandishes hammer; faces in indicated directions.
Hammer of the North, hold and hallow this stead.
Hammer of the East, hold and hallow this stead.
Hammer of the South, hold and hallow this stead.
Hammer of the West, hold and hallow this stead.
Thor, Wielder of Mjollnir, Holy Thunderer, Guardian of Midgard, bless and protect us here tonight.
To audience
We have gathered to witness a contract of marriage between these two people. Marriage is a significant obligation and an enduring bond that should not be entered into lightly.
To couple
Are you here of your own free choice and are you prepared to solemnize your commitment?
Presuming they each say "yes", we proceed.
Hail to the Day, Hail to the sons of Day,
Hail to the Night and her daughter!
Gaze on us gently, grant us (sitting/standing)
here your blessing on this blissful marriage.
Hail to the gods, Hail to the goddesses,
Hail to the all-giving Earth!
Wisdom and patience, while we live,
grant us, and healing hands.
Manny uses birch twig to sprinkle oath ring with mead.
Upon this ring, we swear our most holy and binding oaths. Great Frigga, Mighty Thor, Ever-vigilant Var, witness what we swear here tonight.
Holds ring out; couple each grasps ring. Couple each makes statement.
Since the day we met, you have been the most unique and interesting I have had the pleasure to know. The love we have is based on affection, friendship, respect, caring, love, and trust. The unending circle of this ring symbolizes the ongoing progress of my feelings toward you and the continuation of our lives together.
Ever since we met, there has been a certain special comfort in knowing you. You were instantly a family member to me, and always will be. And now, I am publicly declaring the feelings that I have always had for you and always will. The ring symbolizes the strength and endurance of a love originally based on a wonderful friendship that has grown into so much more.
Manny uses birch twig to sprinkle marriage rings with mead.
These rings are emblems of the oath ring upon which you have pledged your commitment.
Couple exchanges rings.
Fills horn with mead; holds up the horn.
There is a mighty ash tree -- it's name is Yggdrasil --
a tall tree watered from a cloudy well,
Dew falls from its boughs down into the valleys;
ever green it stands beside the Norns' spring.
Much wisdom have the three maidens
who come from the waters close to that tree;
they established laws, decided the lives
men were to lead, marked out their fates.
This horn of mead embodies the well of Wyrd; it binds the frothing, holy liquid which holds hidden all that is and gives might to all that becomes and all that shall become.
Best man takes horn to couple.
Couple toasts each other, referring to the future.
Now we toast this couple and their newly-joined family.
Best man carries horn around to guests for one round of toasts.
Gothi takes horn and pours remaining mead into offering bowl.
Toward the end, wedding party and guests go outside.
We lay our words into the well, writing our will into the law.
Pours offering onto the soil near the base of a tree.
From the gods to the Earth to us,
From us to the Earth to the gods,
A gift for a gift!
The ceremony is ended.
Last Modified 12 February 2001.
Comments to Manny Olds,
oldsma@pobox.com