In a small village, nestled among the hills, there was an old graveyard. It lay abandoned and forgotten for many years. The once beautiful tombstones were now covered in moss and ivy, barely visible under the thick foliage that surrounded the area. The graves were silent, their tales of life and death lost to time. But one day, a witch arrived in the village. She was known for her peculiar ways and mysterious powers.
Witch for Wedding
…So you think you've got everything ready for your wedding, do you?
The flowers, the ice sculpture, the dress, the embarrassing aunt, the Witch… The Witch?!
Welcome to the now!
Witches, once fearful lonely persons hiding from persecution, are the new black. Everyone knows a witch, or has heard of one, be it your daughter's best friend who's exploring ‘the old ways', or that lady in Southall who always wears pink and can bring your lover back – payment after results.
As the fires of the burnings died down, some witches stopped shying away. Little by little the position of the village wise woman was re-filled. In the last few decades witches became counsellors, herbalists, nurses (and, funnily enough, an astounding number of IT consultants) to reclaim their calling of helping their folk.
Witches marry in a ceremony called ‘handfasting', which is led by one or two fellow witches who act as priestess and priest. In a handfasting, the wrists of the willing couple are bound together to show their free will to be joined together in love. Some handfastings are for life, some last for all of your incarnations, or they could last as long as the bride and groom are in love (one for the commitment phobics). The most popular type of handfasting lasts a year and a day, and the vows are renewed every year.
As well as having a handfasting ceremony, most witches have their union registered in a more formal wedding, either to please their families or for legal reasons.
Now, it seems, tradition went a full cycle, and there are cases of non-pagan couples who choose to have their wedding blessed by a witch. Those couples feel that a spiritual woman, with a connection to the earth, who can invoke the old Gods and Goddesses, is just the person to bring luck and success to the marriage.
Those people invite Inbaal to their wedding.
Inbaal is a thoroughly modern witch. She doesn't follow one particular set of Deities, believing, instead, that each spell or blessing is individual and requires different herbs and chants.
When called upon to bless a wedding, Inbaal will gather the guests around the couple.
She will tell a story about an appropriate pair of deities. For example noble Here, the white-armed queen of heaven, Goddess of marriage and childbirth, and her husband great Zeus, the Thunderer, King of the Gods and Lord of the Sky. Or perhaps Hades, the Wealthy One, Ruler of the Underworld, and his young and beautiful Queen Persephone. At times simply Aphrodite (Venus) will be mentioned – she is the Goddess of Love and Beauty and generally just likes to have a good time.
When the Gods have been remembered and honoured, Inbaal will perform the ceremony in their names.
She ties the wrists of the husband-and-wife-to-be, explaining to the guests the symbolism of it, and then blesses them with each of the elements. The element of Air brings intellect and communication to the nuptials. Fire can bless them with undying passion and ambition. The emotional Water element would ensure their love would keep flowing, and Earth caps it nicely with security and stability. Often the couple would be happy to share their blessings with their guests.
Bride and groom then, aided by Inbaal, bless a drink, from which they drink first and then pass a chalice of drink around for all their friends and family, singles and couples alike, to sip from.
The traditional way of sealing a marriage ceremony is jumping over the broomstick. The witches' broom is a symbol of the joining of the female (twigs) with the male (stem), and jumping over it brings equality and endurance to the wedding.
After the newlyweds jump the broomstick, all couples who want their union blessed are invited to jump as well. This would normally seal the ritual, after which, if the witchy theme of the evening is to be kept, Inbaal can be found in the corner of the hall with her crystal ball and Tarot cards, doing readings and making herbal charm bags. Any quirky request is catered for, and charms can be made to bless an unborn child, to promote monetary success, to bring luck and stability, or whatever you may think you need magic for.
Now, that witchcraft is nearly mainstream, you find them everywhere. Inbaal arrives to the weddings purple-cloaked and robed and wearing a floral garland. ‘What's the point of being a witch', she says, ‘if no-one can tell?'
She was known for her peculiar ways and mysterious powers. As the villagers whispered about her, she paid no heed to their curious gazes. Instead, she ventured into the graveyard, sensing something that others could not.
Subscribe to Inbaal's newsletter
Sent out about four times a year, I do not share you info with third parties, you can unsubscribe at an time.
When Pagans Wed: Modern Paganism & the Wedding Ritual
Published Monday, Apr. 12th, 2021
Sacred circles, handfasting unity candles, and feasting -- learn what to expect at a modern Pagan or Neopagan wedding ceremony, including marriage rites of Wicca, Druidism, and Norse inspired Heathen Vikings.
If you haven’t been asked to officiate or attend a Pagan wedding yet, don’t worry. You will be!
(And if you have, and that’s why you’re here… read on.)
At the rate that modern Paganism is growing in the US, it’s hard to imagine we won’t all be invited to sit inside a sacred wedding circle at some point soon, to bless a new union while breathing in the sweet musty scent of ceremonial incense wafting through the evening air. Paganism is the fastest growing spiritual movement in the country: There were nearly 1 million to 1.4 million “Wicca or Pagan” followers in the US in 2014, up from 340,000 in 2008, and only 8,000 openly practicing members in 1990. The number has continued to skyrocket since. To put that in perspective, there were only an estimated 1.4 million mainline members of the Presbyterian church in 2018. Unfortunately, despite being increasingly mainstream, Paganism and its various rites are often misunderstood. This is partly because popular media and entertainment frequently lump all modern Pagans together into one big group (and that group is usually Wicca). In truth, there are many smaller movements under the broad umbrella of modern Paganism, and many denominations within each movement. This means there are dozens and dozens of ‘types’ of modern Paganism.
A ceremonial circle in the woods sets a magical stage.
What can you expect at a Pagan wedding?
- A sacred circle: guests gather in a circle around the couple and the officiant, usually outdoors
- Blessing the space: The officiant, usually a priest, priestess, or honored friend, will light incense or sage, call to the gods, goddesses, or spirits, and create a spiritual circle to surround the physical circle.
- Gods, goddesses, spirits, and ancestors: Pagan faiths embrace many different gods and goddesses, spirits, and even the elements. These entities or forces will be called to join the event by the officiant at the start of the ceremony, before the vows or special readings.
- Offerings and altars: an altar filled with meaningful items, such candles, incense, or ceremonial wine might be placed near the officiant, and these items might be used in a unity ritual by the couple or offered to the gods… If you haven’t been asked to, don’t touch them.
- Handfasting and ring exchange: Most modern Pagans choose a traditional handfasting but will also exchange rings. (See AMM's new handfasting planning guide.)
- Poems, songs, theatrical performances, and stories: These joyful readings are given by the officiant and sometimes by guests, and can last much longer (and include more interaction with guests) than those at nonreligious or conventional weddings.
Although there will be many similarities between their wedding rites, all of these earth-based faiths are unique. They each have their own gods, their own stories, their own histories, and their own rituals, including the wedding rite.
So before you accidentally bring a Viking pig roast to a vegan Wiccan handfasting…
Take a minute to learn about the three most popular Modern Pagan movements in the US, and their special marriage customs.
Note: This article is in no way intended to offer a complete look at modern Paganism.
Scroll down for sample wedding and handfasting scripts.
Every part of the ceremonial altar has a meaning.
With her ancient knowledge of magic, the witch began to tend to the neglected graves. She removed the overgrowth and restored the tombstones to their former glory. She placed colorful flowers on each grave, symbolizing the life that once resided within. The graveyard slowly awakened from its long slumber, bursting with new energy and beauty. As the witch continued her work, strange things started happening. Flowers bloomed all year round, and the air seemed to be filled with a gentle, calming energy. People started visiting the graveyard, not out of fear or obligation, but out of a sense of peace and reverence. The witch's presence breathed life into the forgotten graves. The souls resting there felt her nurturing touch, and they began to communicate with the living world. The once empty graveyard was now a place of connection between the living and the deceased, a bridge between two realms. Word of the witch's graveyard spread throughout the region, attracting curious visitors from far and wide. They came to witness the magic that had transformed the lifeless cemetery into a sanctuary of peace and remembrance. The witch welcomed them all, guiding them through the tombstones and sharing stories of the souls that now resided in her care. Years passed, and the witch grew old. She knew her time in the village was coming to an end. But before she left, she imparted her wisdom to a young apprentice, ensuring that the graveyard would be looked after even in her absence. The villagers, once skeptical and fearful, now regarded the graveyard with gratitude and reverence. It had become a symbol of hope and eternal connection. The witch's legacy lived on, as the villagers took up the responsibility of nurturing the graveyard, ensuring that the souls resting there would never be forgotten. **From a graveyard nurtured by a witch emerged a place of eternal connection, where the living found peace and the deceased found remembrance. The witch's magic breathed life into the forgotten tombstones, transforming the abandoned cemetery into a sanctuary of hope and reverence.**.
Reviews for "Guardian Spirits and Wicked Witches: Legends of the Enchanted Graveyard"
1. Emily - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to "From a graveyard nurtured by a witch" based on the intriguing title and synopsis, but I was left disappointed. The story lacked depth and the characters felt one-dimensional. The writing style was also quite bland, with no memorable or captivating moments. Overall, it was a letdown and I wouldn't recommend it.
2. David - 1 star - This book was a complete waste of time. The plot was confusing and poorly developed, making it hard to follow and engage with the story. The characters were uninteresting and their actions felt unrealistic. Additionally, the writing was filled with grammatical errors and awkward phrasing, making it hard to enjoy the book on a basic level. I would not recommend "From a graveyard nurtured by a witch" to anyone.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for "From a graveyard nurtured by a witch" based on the unique premise, but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The pacing was incredibly slow, and there were long stretches where nothing seemed to happen. The dialogue was also stilted and unnatural, making it hard to connect with the characters. Overall, it lacked the excitement and tension that I was expecting from a book with such an intriguing concept.
4. Michael - 3 stars - "From a graveyard nurtured by a witch" had a lot of potential, but it failed to live up to my expectations. While the setting was interesting and the initial setup was promising, the story quickly became predictable and lacked originality. The characters felt cliché and their motivations were unclear. The writing style was adequate, but it lacked the polish and finesse that I look for in a book. It was an average read, but nothing more.