Attending NY NOW, the Market for Home & Lifestyle show at the Javitz Center in New York City was a whirlwind of an experience.  Handfastings Magazine went to search for the best products for our readers, and we came away with some top product picks.  Whether you are a bride, groom or handfasting officiant, we’ve found a little something for everyone.

Endless Possibilities

Since everyone here at Handfastings Magazine is basically obsessed with handfasting cords, we thought it highly appropriate to begin at the beginning.  We discovered the most beautiful hand-dyed ribbons at Hanah Silk.

The ribbons come in silks, satins and velvet and feel so luxurious in hand.  Hanah Silk offers thousands of different ribbons in a myriad of colors.  They are about 3" across and are cut on the bias, so they're perfect for braiding into a handfasting cord or creating flowers for circlets, boutonnieres or other wedding accessories.  However, these ribbons are so beautiful they stand alone, and you may find one perfectly suited for your handfasting, as-is.  

What makes these ribbons so unique are the beautiful hand-dipped colors and color combinations that seem to dance across the silk.  Their descriptive color names are catchy: "Leaves Turning," "Mossy Rock," and "Raven" are enough to entice a handfasting officiant to braid a thousand cords. 

Look for a full-feature editorial in a future issue of Handfastings Magazine.
www.hanahsilk.com
Where to find:
ARTEMIS, www.artemisinc.com 
M&J TRIM, www.mjtrim.com

Seeing the Light

Who wants to set up for a wedding ceremony by lighting candles with a boring old match?  If beauty and elegance are important to your rituals, why not use an impressive Social Light decorative lighter?  The company touts them as "The best looking refillable utility lighters ever," and we agree! Add this to your list of unofficial magical tools.  Go to www.sociallighters.com to find a store nearest you.

A Little Love for Your BFFs

Your friends have been with you thick and thin.  You chose them to be your bridesmaids because you cherish their friendship.  So of course you want to give them meaningful bridesmaids gifts to thank them for being there for you once again, this time on your special day.

You can truly show them you care by giving your BFFs some inspiring, delicately designed silver and pewter jewelry from a conscientious company: YANA.  YANA stands for "You Are Not Alone," whose company's inspiring mission is about being there for others.  

In addition to jewelry, they sell cute graphic tees, hats, hoodies and more.  YANA donates a percentage of their proceeds to the YANA Foundation, which supports or recognizes people, initiatives and organizations that need assistance and/or practicing YANA's mission.  Give back to your bridesmaids, your closest friends and loved ones, by giving them the gift of YANA and let them know you'll always be there for them.   YANA's online store launches early September.  Go to www.YANAcares.com to learn more.

Since the ancient rite of handfasting has its roots in Celtic antiquity, Handfastings Magazine feels it appropriate to highlight some inspirational products from, or inspired by, the land of the green.  We stumbled upon these products at the NY NOW show in New York City, and all we can say is that we feel very lucky to have found them.

Fragrances have long been used by brides to complete their bridal ensemble.  The order goes: fragrance, corset, dress, jewelry, shoes.  On your wedding night, you'll strip down to your birthday suit, but you'll still be in your bridal best if you have on a fragrance. 

If your wedding colors include any shade of blue, if you are looking for something to symbolize love and/or fertility, or if you need "something blue" for good luck, Handfastings Magazine suggests using Inis as your signature scent on your special day. 

This spirited fragrance will transport you to the beaches of the isle of Eire.  Take in the energy of the sea with Inis, the nautical-inspired fragrance from Ireland.  Energizing citrus and marine top notes are softened with lily of the valley and balanced with warm base notes of sandalwood, nutmeg and clove.

The Inis company helps save whales and dolphins by being a core sponsor of the Irish Whale and Dolphin Group, an all-Ireland group dedicated to the conservation and better understanding of whales, dolphins and porpoise in Irish waters.  This makes the fragrance extra special, and if the bride's wedding day theme is ocean-based, it makes it even more so.

Water is a symbol of love and fertility, which makes it the perfect wedding day fragrance.  We love the fact that Inis can be worn by both men and women, so this fragrance could even be used by both the bride and groom on their special day. 

Put Memorable Keepsakes in Beautiful Places

We imbue things we use on our wedding day with sacred, loving energy, such as a hand-braided handfasting cord or those wedding cufflinks that were handed down to you by your grandfather.  Put your items in an equally special place, such as an enchanted box by The Enchanted World of Boxes.

Handfastings Magazine stumbled upon these colorful, and sometimes kitschy wooden boxes.  Handmade by artisans in Poland, they have something for everyone such as boxes with ankhs, spirals, or with moons and stars.  But the most memorable ones for us were the Gaelic-inspired designs with Celtic knots or the Claddagh ring, a traditional Irish ring given which represents love, loyalty, and friendship. 

The Enchanted World of Boxes has more traditional, elegant styles available as well, but we were drawn to the kitschy ones the most.  The boxes are felt-lined and some even had secret closures, which was most impressive.

Don't put your special wedding keepsakes in plastic baggies or Tupperware containers.  Honor them by putting them in something worthy of their loving energy.
www.enchantedboxes.com

Tying the Knot - In Your Dinnerware?

It used to be traditional in Ireland to give newlyweds a crystal bowl, symbolizing wealth, health and happiness.  Legend has it that as long as the bowl is safe and secure, the couple will be blessed with the laughter of children, the health of a lion, and coins in their purse.

Modern couples don't always abide by tradition, but this one we like because of the symbolism of bowls - the womb of the Goddess, the full cup of love or as an instrument to hold sacred waters.

However, a wedding bowl need not be crystal.  Handfastings Magazine found these whimsical bowls by Inspired Generations the perfect bridal gift or altar accessory for your handfasting ritual.  

Inspired Generations' artist Robin Cohen was on hand at NY NOW to show us a few great designs, such as her silver-tone heart-shaped bowls (one which is 5" across - great for the altar!) and her extra large Love Bowl (as seen above) with heart-shaped handles. 

But our favorites were her "knotty" designs: An infinity bowl, perfect for lovers using the knot as a symbol of their binding union, are actually two bowls attached by a single knot in the middle.  Inspired Generations even has a knotty napkin holder with matching knotty weight so your napkins don't go flying all over - elegant enough for an outdoor wedding reception, yet fun enough for a family barbeque.  Robin has other elegant items with knotty handles and designs, all of which would make excellent bridal gifts, especially if the bride and groom are having a handfasting as a part of their ceremony.

Visit Inspired Generations at www.inspiredgenerations.com.

This just in!  Handfastings Magazine will be covering the NY NOW gift show at the Javitz Center in NYC on Sunday!  Look for subsequent articles about products - from candles to bridal ribbon to fragrance and more - in upcoming posts on our website.  Stay tuned!

Yes, that' right folks, not everyone wants to wear white on their wedding day.  This is an ode to the red dress.  The color red invokes warmth, passion, energy and adventure.  What bride isn't up for that?  The color red governs the lowermost chakra situated at the base of the spine.  The red chakra beckons vitality, courage and self-confidence.

A red dress may not be for everyone, but being adorned with this sultry color on your wedding day makes for a fantastic entrance (and exit). 

If your wedding is in the fall, a red dress fits right in with the season.

While in countries like Ireland and India, red wedding gowns are just as (or even more) popular as white, in the U.S., it's becoming less taboo to wear any color other than the traditional white wedding dress.  Chalk it up to the U.S.' puritanical origins.

What does the color red mean to you?  If you've already gotten married in a red wedding dress, Handfastings Magazine would love to hear from you (and see pics, too!).  So let's cut to the chase:  here is some eye candy for your viewing pleasure. 

Put a little magic into your wedding ceremony with apples!

Apples are arguably the most storied of fruits.  The flower of the welcoming apple tree, this sweet crop has had an illustrious history, inspiring fairy tales, legends, biblical script and magical lore.  

With its windy limbs growing low to the ground, the apple tree reaches out to welcome us, inviting people to climb its short trunk and pick its fruit.  We empathize with its approachable stature and share our excitement with it as we take a bite from its crisp, satisfying gift.  Like its tree, the apple holds an emotional component.  We round up the family to go apple picking and the fruit becomes a part of our day and our memories.  We share the fruit with our teachers as apples are a symbol of knowledge.  We use the fruit to celebrate our varied customs and ceremonies.  Apples also have a long history of use in divination, especially to foretell the future in matters of love and prosperity.

Apples are enchanting - it is the fruit that holds charming powers to anyone who receives it as a gift from a loved one.  The apple is actually a part of the rose family and carries similar symbolism.  During a handfasting, the bride and groom may hand each other a red apple as a symbol of the giving and receiving of their love for each other throughout their entire married life.  Like the rose ceremony at a wedding, the exchanging of the apples (instead of roses) can symbolize the "love" in "I Love You."  Handing an apple to your soon-to-be-spouse is appropriate as your first gift to one another: the gift of love - and highly appropriate if the wedding falls around the Autumnal Equinox.

An Interview With Ray Sweeney, Pagan Federation of Ireland

 Getting handfasted in Ireland was never so - legal!

A short while ago, Ireland had legalized Pagan handfastings.  Today we interview none other than Ray Sweeney, National Coordinator of the Pagan Federation of Ireland, who spearheaded the movement.

What is the Pagan Federation of Ireland?
The largest representative body for Pagans in Ireland.

Does PF Ireland have any statistics on the number of Pagans in Ireland?
Between 2,000 and 3,000 active Pagans.

How many officiants in Ireland (that you know of, anyway), perform the handfasting ceremony (either legal or not)?
Eight publicly available, twenty available through PF Ireland

Now that the ceremony is legal, do all people who want to perform a legal handfasting have to be registered with the Pagan Federation of Ireland?
At the moment, yes.

What is now the registration process for a Pagan High Priestess or High Priest to perform legal handfastings?
They can attempt to become personally registered, which is a nightmare, or they can apply to PF Ireland.

How did the handfasting ceremony come to be legal in Ireland?
I applied for it, and then fought for it with the tenacity of a cornered rat [smiles].

Wow, sounds like it took a lot of determination.  Are there parts of Ireland where performing a handfasting is still not counted as a legal marriage?
Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, does not yet recognise Handfasting as legal.

Were there petitions? Protests?
No petitions, but serious protests, ministerial appeals, equality tribunals,
the lot.

Who is behind the change of law (i.e., particular politicians, individual advocates, non-profit groups, covens, etc.)?
It was a governmental review of marriage legislation in general, which [PF Ireland] contributed to in the draft stages.

Did the initial governmental review of marriage legislation in general  include legalizing gay marriage as well?  What is the government's view on that issue?

No, LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) couples were not included in the legislation.  In the uniquely Irish way of dealing with a controversial issue, a Civil Partnership law is currently being enacted, which will give LGBT couples a Civil Partnership entitlement, but not full civil marriage.

There is debate in the LGBT community as to the merits of the Civil Partnership law, with some seeing it as a welcome first step, and others seeing it as enshrining discrimination in law.

The government (at the moment) is a coalition, and includes the Green Party, who are publicly committed to full civil marriage for LGBT couples, so we are hopeful that the bill will pass, and further progress will be made on gay marriage.

How long has active advocacy been happening in order to change the law?
10 years or more - we jumped in 5 years ago.

Do you mean that in the years of advocacy before that, there was no one advocating for Pagan handfastings at all (only general  marriage reform advocacy), or that there was, but PF Ireland then included itself as an advocate among others for Pagan handfastings?

The government, through various statutory bodies, had been undertaking a review of marriage legislation since 2002, but only opened for public submissions years later. That was when we dived in, with a pre-legislative submission on marriage recognition for non-mainstream religious couples.

Our original submission was largely to the effect that any group, who shared common religious beliefs, and could prove a need by having more than 1000 adherents, should be entitled to nominate a legal Solemniser from within their group. This would enable a couple to be married in a personally meaningful religious manner, by a member of their peer group.

When this, and other logical suggestions we made, were totally ignored, we narrowed our focus to our own specific religious path of Paganism, and moved into combat mode. And, five years later, we won the battle.

What does the actual new law state in terms of legalizing the handfasting ceremony?
It states that the religious ceremony of any authorised religious body (that's PF Ireland) is the concern of the religious body alone, once certain legal declarations are included.

What is the known (recent) history of the handfasting ceremony in your country (or area)?
It used to be a private Pagan affair, but Janet Farrar/Gavin Bone and others carried out Handfastings beyond the traditional Pagan community and attracted interest in that way.

Do you think that the modern handfasting is gaining momentum in Ireland? If so, how?
From my inbox, I can tell you it definitely is.  People, even those from non-Pagan backgrounds, see in Handfasting a union in beauty of two people.  This contrasts with the reasonably mechanical "normal" wedding, and attracts the more romantic sort of person.  And as divorcees cannot remarry in a church here, a lot of couples in this position are seeking a spiritual union beyond the confines of a (much disgraced) Catholic Church.

What kind of attitudes from the general public have you encountered toward Paganism? Towards the rite of handfasting?
To be Pagan here is to be considered oddly eccentric. But Ireland loves and accepts eccentrics more than most countries [smiles].  All handfastings we have carried out have been well received, and we take the time before and after to explain the ceremony to guests.  We've had more than one guest request our number for future reference.

What steps does a couple from Ireland have to take to become legally handfasted there?
Contact PF Ireland, and then the local Registrar of Marriages.

In the interest of those who are not from Ireland but would like to travel abroad and get married there (i.e., a "destination wedding"), what are the legal steps non-residents must take in order to be handfasted?
Contact PF Ireland, and then the local Registrar of Marriages.  The couple can do the paperwork with certain Registrars by post, but must turn up, in person, five days before the Handfasting to sign legal declarations.

What is now the legal difference between getting married in a Christian church or getting married in a Pagan handfasting ceremony (if any)?
Only the building and ceremony.

Equality feels good.  Is there anything else that you would like to add about handfastings in
Ireland ?
Beware the weather!  Have an indoor alternative available.  And a beautiful woodland setting might seriously attract midges [blood-sucking bugs]. We once had to conduct a ceremony a light speed, to prevent becoming human sacrifices to the great midge lord.

Gross!  Any fun facts about yourself, either personal or professional, that you would like to share with our readers?
I'm a Ninja (Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu) instructor in my spare time. I also brew my own mead for the Handfasting ceremonies with the water that outflows from Brigid's sacred well in Kildare.

Impressive.  Thanks again to Rev. Ray Sweeney and the great folks of Pagan Federation of Ireland for standing up for Pagan rights! 

To learn more about the Pagan Federation of Ireland click the link below:
http://www.paganfed.org

Autumnal Equinox is Approaching...

Mabon, the Sabbat (hallowed cross quarter) of the Autumnal Equinox, is the second harvest of three (Lugnassad, Mabon, Samhain) in Pagan traditions.  It is celebrated toward the end of the month of September, after the shift is made from Virgo to Libra.  The equinox is a time of balance; the light and darkness of Mabon's day and night are equal. 

Mabon embodies the earth's waning life - leaves begin to fall and plants are ready to be harvested.  The full moon closest to the Autumn Equinox is appropriately named the Harvest Moon (or sometimes the Barley Moon) and farmers would harvest their crops by moonlight as a part of the second harvest celebration.  Mabon is a great time to perform kitchen magick: apples are picked, fruits and vegetables are canned, and breads are baked as we prepare for the cold months ahead.   Food is prepared with care while being imbued with harvest spells and good blessings to carry us through the winter.

The air becomes crisp as we begin spending more time at home with family, and we are thankful for this year's bountiful harvest.  We are entering the waning time of the year when we begin to look inward and reflect upon our lives.  Wiccans celebrate the aging Goddess as she passes from Mother to Crone, and her consort the God as he prepares for death and re-birth.

Happy Mabon from Handfastings Magazine!

Ushering in Midsummer

Litha is a holiday celebrated by many Pagans.  An esbat (minor holiday), Litha goes by many names, such as Summer Solstice and Midsummer.  Later when the Church overruled rural Pagan holidays, Litha became known as Saint John's Day.  It is the longest day of the year.  Its opposite on the Wheel of Life is Yule, or Winter Solstice.
 
June's full moon is called the "Honey Moon" because this is the time to collect the honey from the beehives.  The honeymoon, as we now know it, is the sweet time following the unions made on Beltaine.  Mead is an excellent brew made from honey, and is the traditional drink of Summer Solstice.
 
Litha is a day for the fairies.  The bright sun highlights the wings of the Hidden Ones and the honeybees, captivating us as they twinkle and flutter.  Aptly nicknamed Midsummer, Litha marks the actual middle of the Celtic summer, falling between Beltaine and Lugnasadh (the first harvest).  We celebrate Litha for the warmth that has been bestowed upon us as we usher in the second half of the year.  As the sun reaches its apex in the sky, after the height of summer, the days grow shorter and we say farewell to the sun. 
 
On Litha we re-tell the story of the Oak King vs. the Holly King: After a heated battle, the Oak King, who rules the warm, waxing half of the year, finally gives way to his winter counterpart, the Holly King, who rules the waning half of the year.  We attend summer festivals and fairs; we mask ourselves as Sun Goddesses and Gods, fairies and Green Men, emulating their sacred images on this special day.

Handfasting officiant Heath Wyld in Kona, Hawaii  Hailing from the Big Island of Hawaii, Heath performs handfastings and wedding ceremonies on all of the Hawaiian Islands.  He especially enjoys performing handfastings at Haleakala National Park on Maui, which he describes as "a spectacular location" for weddings.

Heath tells Handfastings Magazine about the traditional Hawaiian people's version of the handfasting:  "In the Hawaiian version, the Hawaiian priest does not use rainbow-colored ribbons or red cords or Scottish tartans.  Instead, the officiant binds the couple's hand in two intertwined Maile leaf vines.  "It is really special," Heath remarks.  "The Maile leaf lei is also the lei that men usually wear when they get married [Heath is pictured above wearing the lei]."

Heath describes his colorful spiritual path: "When I was younger, I was a Pagan.  In late 1993, in Korea, I fasted for four-and-a-half days and four nights with no food or water, and fasted off-and-on for four months after that, breaking my fast with one meal every 2 - 4 days.  In 1999 and 2000, I apprenticed with a Peruvian shaman named Lauro in Mexico.  In 2000, I spent 4 months with Huichol indian shamans, in the mountains of Central Mexico.  I have done intensive research into historical and contemporary religions, Ancient Greek magical texts, etc., and I have treasured all 12 volumes of The Golden Bough [by James Frazer].  I have traveled to the Scottish Highlands and find them to be spectacularly beautiful.  But now I am a committed Humanist."  

Heath lives in a house built on top of the 1990 Kalapana Gardens lava flow.  That year, there was a volcanic eruption of the Kilauea volcano that destroyed a quiet residential neighborhood.  "About 50-70 feet under the house where I'm living, there used to be an entire subdivision," Heath says.  "The post office will not deliver out here; only UPS does."  Kilauea is a shield volcano, which means it is low and flattish.  Because of its angle, the lava flow is very slow.  Heath describes his distant back yard: "There is lava flowing over the hill right now.  In the daytime, all you can see is the smoke, where it is burning down trees and brush.  At night, you can see rivers of lava.  It is really very beautiful."

Wow!  I can only imagine having a handfasting in this area. 

Here are some interesting pictures of the cooled lava flow: http://hvo.wr.usgs.gov/kilauea/history/1990Kalapana/

Heath can be found at WildGreenCeremonies.com

There are a number of online sites where you can purchase some lovely cords.  Just Google "handfasting cords" and you'll see a number of links come up.   We have seen some lovely handmade cords online by a number of different artisans.   

Alternatively, your local High Priestess or minister may be able to provide this service for you.  Some of the officiants at the non-profit organization Handfastings.org are wonderfully creative and offer the service of creating one-of-a-kind handfasting cords for your special day.  All you have to do is ask!  

Another alternative is to create the cords yourself.  You can braid several colors (that are meaningful to you and your partner) of cords and ribbon together.  You can even add some symbolic charms to them, such as a pentacle, heart or special stone.  A handfasting cord should be approximately 9 feet in length (buy the ribbons longer, as braiding shortens them).  You can get the ribbon, cords, or yarn from craft or fabric stores, and then once it is made you can bless them on your altar if you have one, or have your handfasting officiant bless it for you.   

Due to the fact that handfasting cords are not widely commercially available in any market, we must improvise and create what we need for ourselves and each other.   Wedding officiants who perform handfastings or couples who are planning on getting married with a handfasting ceremony have to get creative, make their own cord, or find someone who is willing to make one for you.

Luckily, there are many spirited artisans who enjoy crafting cords specifically for this purpose.  Handfastings Magazine has found many great crafters on websites such as Esty.com, Ebay and other sites dedicated to crafting handfasting cords.

To meet the demand of our readers, however, Handfastings Magazine is planning on helping you source ribbons, tulle, wool, and other items and trinkets in order for you to make the handfasting cord you envision. 

What to do with your cords after the ceremony?

Your sacred handfasting cord is a symbol of your union and a beautiful keepsake after your ceremony for years to come.  While it is the couple who forms the bond by their vows and their intent and not by the handfasting knot itself, the cord nevertheless becomes a symbolic and meaningful heirloom that can be handed down from generation to generation, and can even be reused by the child of the couple that originally used it, much like a daughter will wear her mother's wedding dress (or a part of it) on her own wedding day.

So what on earth does a couple do with their cords after the ceremony?  Many people preserve their cords in a beautiful keepsake box.  Some place their cords on display on a shelf by wrapping it around other wedding keepsakes, like around their wedding chalice.  

One couple decided to tie their cord to the end of their handfasting besom (broom) and has it displayed over the door to their home.  

You can even tie your cord to the top of a bedpost (if you have one) to ensure fertility if you do so desire.  Or you can simply go to a craft store, purchase a shadowbox, and pin up your handfasting cord into an infinity symbol and display it in your home.  Be creative and have fun!