The Celtic Six Cord Handfasting Ritual is a traditional ceremony that symbolizes the union of two people. Before proceeding, it is important to recognize that your lives have already become connected. As you choose to enter into marriage, you are encouraged to reflect on the values and intentions that give meaning to this ceremony and to your partnership.
Within this circle, you are not only making your commitment in front of friends and family, but also expressing your intentions to your higher powers. The promises you make today, and the symbolic ties created here, are meant to strengthen your relationship and support your growth together over time.
The ceremony begins with consent. The officiant asks, “Do you wish to enter into this ceremony?” The couple responds, “Yes, we seek to enter.”
The handfasting continues as the couple is invited to look into each other’s eyes. The officiant asks, “Will you cause each other pain?” The response is, “I may.” The officiant then asks, “Is that your intent?” The response is, “No.”
This exchange is repeated for both partners. Next, the officiant asks, “Will you share each other’s pain and seek to ease it?” The couple answers, “Yes.” At this point, the first cord is draped across their hands.
The officiant asks, “Will you share each other’s laughter?” The couple responds, “Yes.” The officiant then asks, “Will you both look for the brightness in life and the positive in each other?” The answer is, “Yes.” The second cord is then draped.
The officiant continues, “Will you burden each other?” The response is, “I may.” “Is that your intent?” “No.” This is repeated for both partners. The officiant then asks, “Will you share the burdens of each other so that your spirits may grow in this union?” The couple answers, “Yes.” The third cord is draped.
The officiant asks, “Will you share each other’s dreams?” The couple responds, “Yes.” The officiant then asks, “Will you dream together to create new realities and hopes?” The answer is, “Yes.” The fourth cord is draped.
The officiant asks, “Will you cause each other anger?” The response is, “I may.” “Is that your intent?” “No.” This is repeated for both partners. The officiant then asks, “Will you use the heat of anger to strengthen your union?” The couple answers, “We will.” The fifth cord is draped.
The officiant asks, “Will you honor each other?” The response is, “I will.” This is repeated for both partners. The officiant then asks, “Will you seek never to break that honor?” The couple answers, “We shall never do so.” The sixth cord is draped, and the cords are tied with three knots.
The officiant explains, “The knots of this binding are not formed by these cords, but by your vows. Either of you may release the cords, as you both hold the power to make or break this union.”
There is also a Celtic One Cord Handfasting Ritual. In this version, the officiant holds a single cord and asks the couple to hold each other’s hands, palms up, with one partner’s hands resting in the other’s.
The officiant explains that the cord represents the life the couple has chosen to share. Until this moment, they have been separate in thought, word, and action. As the cord is tied, their lives become intertwined. The officiant says, “With this cord, I bind you to the vows you have made. With this knot, I tie you heart to heart, together as one.”
The officiant wraps the cord loosely around the couple’s wrists to form a “love knot.” The officiant then states, “The knot of this binding is not held by the cord, but by your vows of love. You both hold the power to make or break this union. May this ‘love knot’ always remind you of your bond.”
The cord may then be removed and placed on the altar. Many couples choose to keep the “love knot” as a keepsake of their union.
