Following is my translation of the Old English Rune poem.
Modern Heathenry
Posted on:
Support Lifwrathu
Lifwrathu, the benevolent fund dedicated to the well-being of Ingvaeonic Society members struck by unforeseen disaster, needs your support. Our mission is clear: to protect lives when they need it most. By contributing to Lifwrathu, you become a vital part of a community that cares. Your donation ensures that we […]
Modern Heathenry , Prayers and Liturgy
Posted on:
Hærfestlíc Freólsung: A Script
This post serves as a ritual template for a Harvest festival celebration. It outlines the structure of the ceremony, beginning with opening words that set the context and purpose of the gathering. Participants take part in a series of pourings and prayers, offering libations to deities like Woden and Frig, […]
Modern Heathenry
Posted on:
Calendar 2024
This post will be updated with events that may be of interest, over the course of the latter half of 2023.
Historical Heathenry , Modern Heathenry
Posted on:
Hengist and Horsa
Hengist and Horsa are two figures that loom large in the mythos of early England. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the Ecclesiastical History of the English People, and the writings of Geoffrey of Monmouth, to wit, Historia Regum Britanniae, these two warriors played a crucial role in the early days […]
Modern Heathenry , Prayers and Liturgy
Posted on:
Midsummer
Actors in the Rite For the purposes of creating a template, the active roles have been divided up as though there was a primary organizer of the ritual, and one or more helpers. This may in actuality be a single person. Again, discretion will need to exercised in deciding how […]
Historical Heathenry , Modern Heathenry
Posted on:
No, the Anglo-Saxons didn’t start Yuletide in late January.
This is a strange blog post to have to write, but it seems it is still relevant in 2022. There is a lot of hubub out there in the Blogosphere, about how bad certain Heathens are for celebrating Yuletide in late December (along with the rest of the World), instead […]
Modern Heathenry , Prayers and Liturgy
Posted on:
Winterfylleþes Wíntíber
Introduction Wíntíber is an Old English term that literally means ‘wine-sacrifice’. This ritual is an abbreviated form of offering, which need involve no formal blessing and no food. This is a libation, a giving of strong drink to a revered being, god or gods, as a simple form of […]
This template can be adapted as needed, having all the principle parts needed for a full wedding ceremony. Additional liturgy can be found here.
Lexicon
Ǽwdamann – Groomsman, oath-helper
Brýdboda – Bridesmaid, paranymph
Sacerd – Officiant
Abannung
Parties enter. Officiant relates to the gathered crowd why they are there. These two people wish to to be wed,, etc.
WOEFODTHEGN: “In the Old English tradition I will read these banns, that the assembled folk may hear and know: On this day, Name of Groom, son of ________, will ask for the hand of NAME of Bride, daughter of Brides Parrents, in marriage. The Bride is here with her party, and the groom with his, to profess before this noble host their most ardent desire to join what now is sundered, into one.”
Handfæstnung
- Priest asks them to declare themselves:
SACERD: “I ask you to declare yourselves before Gods and Men: Do you, GROOM take BRIDE as your lawfully wedded lady? Will you share one bed, one board, and one Roof? Will you pledge to honor and protect her, as your dearest friend, and share with her the joys and sorrows of your breast?”
GROOM: ” I do.”
SACERD: “And do you, Bride, take Groom as your lawfully wedded lord, Will you share one bed, one board, and one Roof? Do you pledge to counsel and succor him, and protect him, as your dearest friend, and share with him the joys and sorrows of your breast?”
BRIDE: “I do.”
SACERD: “Then let the gifts be offered, and the bride-price given to the mother of the bride, for the removal of her darling daughter from her household. Let the Bride bring a gift-of-arms for the groom, who must in all things ward their fortunes and heirs, as the lord of the household. Let the keys to the house be given to the Bride, who shall govern over it as the Lady.”
- Groom settles mund (bride gift) on the Bride, who hands it to brýdboda. The Bride-Price is is a little gift, given directly to the mother of the bride. The keys to the house are ceremonially handed over to the bride.
- Bride presents a “gift of arms” on the Groom, who hands it to Best Man
- Oath-Helpers get to talk
SACERD: “Are there any here who would stand and speak on behalf of the Groom, and vouch for his honor and worth?”
Groom designated ǽwdamenn make short speeches about how great he is…
SACERD: “Are there any here who would stand and speak on the part of the Bride, to do her honor and boast of her virtues, so all may know?”
Bridesmaids can make brief speeches on her awesome-ness…. - Officiant asks them to swear oaths:
SACERD: “Now Bride and Groom, speak before the Gods, and this host, what each of you would offer to the other, and plight your troth a second time that all may hear.”
- Groom Makes Oath
GROOM Speaks his own oath. - Bride Makes Oath
BRIDE Speaks her own oath. - Groom Seals the Deal
SACERD: “Declare yourselves a third time.”
GROOM:“We declare ourselves witnesses that thou, (bride’s name), bondest me in lawful betrothal, and that with a handclasp thou pledge me marriage and engagest me to fulfill and observe the whole of the oath between us, which has been said in the hearing of witnesses without wiles or cunning, as a true and honest oath.”
SACERD: “What tokens do you each bear, to seal your vow, and pledge your love? Have you rings?”
ǽwdamann presents ring to Groom. Groom places ring on Bride’s finger.
brýdboda presents ring to Bride. Bride places it on Grooms finger.
GROOM: “With this ring, I thee wed.”
BRIDE: “With this ring, I thee wed.”
Bride and Groom clasp hands and face one another.
brýdblétsung
- Officiant Blesses the Wedding
“May All-Father grant you wisdom and foresight, that your household might prosper, and that you might remain steadfast friends through hardship and happiness, in troubled times and days of bliss, sharing your burdens during adversity, and sharing also the joy of your victories.
May Frige bless you with unfailing ardor and healthy children, and may Thunor hallow this union, and keep you both hearty and hale, for many long years.
May your kinsfolk living, and those departed, look well on this marriage, and stand firm in your support, as one family.”
SACERD: “Now by the authority vested in me by the Ferræden and the Gods of our Folk, and in accordance with the laws of the State of Colorado, I now pronounce you Man and Wife. You may kiss the bride!”
Brýdeala
- Wedding Feast
- Fulls to the Married Couple – Officiant Starts, and then passes the horn.
- Cake….however the couple wants to do it
