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Phiona Hutton

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Last updated July 2011

 Avalon Whispering

Inner healing from the ancient way’s

Phiona Hutton  MICHT IIHHT  AMANF

Healer ~ Seer ~ Teacher ~ Author

 

TEL: 01243 373 439

e-mail:  avalonwhispering@btinternet.com

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Handfasting

Dragon Heart by kind permission of Anne Stokes www.annestokes.com

  Handfasting of two souls entwining their love by the sacred ceremony of the bonding tie of  the Priestess, who is in service to the Great Mother sealing your love for each other within time and space.

An Earth based celebration of two souls declaring their love and commitment to one another. A handfasting is a beautiful ancient Celtic ceremony , steeped in history and tradition and adapted to every age. Originally more of an engagement the couple would handfast for a year and a day and then stay together of there choosing there after if they both desired.

Handfasting originated within the Celtic culture and passed through the generations and was once the way the peasants celebrated their union as they could not afford the elaborate finery of a church wedding. They could not afford the dowry that the gentry would bring, and they chose instead to harness the simple surroundings and richness provided within nature. A handfasting was regarded like a modern day prenuptial and would herald the betrothal of a couple to one another before the finer details of matrimony were agreed to. Lasting usually a year and a day or from Beltane to Beltane.

Today a handfasting can be worked to signal the joining of a couples engagement to each other. The joining of same sex relationships. Added to the wedding ceremony itself whatever the religion.

Now it is a beautiful way of harnessing nature and balance into the wedding service or to reaffirm vows and declaring a binding union between two souls binding your energy together., surrounded by your family and friends.

A handfasting ceremony in itself is not legally binding and the couple would need to have been legally wed in a recognised service before undertaking a handfasting if they wish their union to be recognised in law.

A handfasting ceremony is tailor written for each couple and can vary considerably depending on the wishes of the two souls and how they wish to celebrate their joining. Most often it is a celebration that is held in front of friends and family within the sacred space of the earth, within the elements and before the Gods and Goddesses of the ancient ways.

The binding of the couple is a sacred rite and joins their souls for the duration of their lifetime together on this journey

The guests bare witness to this as act as the witnesses of the love carved out before them. They bring much celebration and stand within circle as much a part of the ceremony as guests. Sharing food and drink in honour of the couple as the feasting begins heralding the joining and sealing it within the mysteries of the old ways.

Phiona has conducted numerous Handfastings and joined  many couples with the sacred bond of the ribbons and ties. In honour of the old ways and ancient path, In service always to the Great Mother.

“We had our very own handfasting of which Phiona conducted, when we renewed our vows after 13 years of marriage. The ceremony was magical and it deepened our love and spirituality as Phiona entwined our hands with ribbons and cords as we said the new vows we had written to each other. She led the ceremony as if she had performed this rite a hundred times, with deep understanding and knowledge of the old ways and of the Great Mother, The Goddess was indeed entwined with our souls as Phiona bound our hands”

M.C