In pagan traditions, the union ritual holds a special significance as a celebration of love, partnership, and spiritual connection. This ceremony, often called a handfasting, is a sacred binding of two individuals who wish to commit to each other in the presence of nature and the divine. Unlike traditional religious weddings, the focus of a pagan union ritual lies in honoring the natural world and the elements that govern it. During the handfasting ceremony, the couple typically stands under a beautifully decorated arch, symbolizing the doorway into their shared life. The officiant, often a pagan priest or priestess, guides the couple through various rituals and blessings that solidify their bond. These rituals may involve the exchanging of vows, the tying of cords around the couple's hands, or the sharing of symbolic items such as rings, flowers, or herbs.
“We had to do it by ourselves,” he says. “We didn’t have a federation that took [the] cause for you or anything like that. We had to dig deep but it’s also what makes being here more admirable and exciting because I know where I came from, and it’s just a lot of hard work and dedication every day.”
We had to dig deep but it s also what makes being here more admirable and exciting because I know where I came from, and it s just a lot of hard work and dedication every day. After nearly two months of the European clay season, Rune has emerged as one of the most successful players, alongside his fellow 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz.
These rituals may involve the exchanging of vows, the tying of cords around the couple's hands, or the sharing of symbolic items such as rings, flowers, or herbs. One of the key aspects of a pagan union ritual is the involvement of nature and the elements. The couple may incorporate elements such as fire, water, earth, and air into their ceremony to symbolize different aspects of their relationship.
Holger Rune: ‘I think if everybody was the same, it would be a bit boring’
D uring the quarter-finals of the Italian Open last week in Rome, Holger Rune was deep in battle with Novak Djokovic on one of the most meaningful courts of the then No 1’s career. It is a measure of his talent that not only was he winning the encounter, but that it was not a surprise.
As Djokovic forced himself back into the match, however, Rune’s growing tension was palpable. It eventually exploded. When the umpire, Mohamed Lahyani, came down from his chair to rule one of Djokovic’s shots had touched the line, Rune was incensed. He called Lahyani an “absolute joke” and demanded to know whether umpires are penalised for their mistakes. As his team tried to calm him down, Rune slumped in his chair and sighed. “It’s always the umpire who makes me look like the bad guy,” he said.
Boris Becker: ‘Tennis is a different sport when you become the hunted’ Read moreAfter nearly two months of the European clay season, Rune has emerged as one of the most successful players, alongside his fellow 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz. He has shown at the same time that he is one of the sport’s most unpredictable figures.
“It’s a fine balance,” says Rune of ensuring that his on-court intensity helps him. “Because people see it in different ways, which is fine, I respect it. But everybody’s different on the court, everybody plays differently and I think this is part of the game. I think if everybody was the same, it would be a bit boring. So, I like variety.”
Rune’s path towards the top of the game has been unusual. It is not just that Denmark tends not to produce top players, but there are barely any professional Danish tennis players at all. Rune is the only Dane inside the top 400 of the ATP rankings and only four others are inside the top 1000. Before Rune, Caroline Wozniacki was a similar Danish anomaly. Rune notes that no national federation helped guide him at the beginning of his career.
“We had to do it by ourselves,” he says. “We didn’t have a federation that took [the] cause for you or anything like that. We had to dig deep but it’s also what makes being here more admirable and exciting because I know where I came from, and it’s just a lot of hard work and dedication every day.”
While he has arrived in the top 10 quickly, Rune’s trajectory has been consistent. He was a junior No 1, winning the French Open boys title in 2019. As a professional, Rune’s career truly began after the 2020 Covid hiatus when old ATP ranking points were frozen, meaning it was much more difficult to scale the rankings. Still, Rune won five ATP Challenger events between 2021 and 2022 and he eventually overcame a significant cramping issue to nestle himself inside the top 100.
Holger Rune (left) after defeating Novak Djokovic in Rome. The Serb said of Rune: ‘He kind of reminds me a little bit [of me], the way he plays.’ Photograph: Insidefoto/Shutterstock
The most striking part of Rune’s game is how well-rounded it is. He is a tremendous athlete with great defence, solid and potent off both forehand and backhand wings, making it difficult for opponents to target any specific weakness. His serve has improved significantly but he is an excellent returner. “He kind of reminds me a little bit [of me], the way he plays,” said Djokovic in Rome.
Rune pairs his solid foundations with feel and instinctiveness, peppering opponents with drop shots and freely approaching the net, a style he describes as more risky but worthwhile. “I feel like these days every player is super powerful from the baseline and they stay there a lot. And I feel like mixing up the game is still really effective,” says Rune.
Last year, Rune offered a glimpse of his talent and potential, with both of his breakthrough tournaments occurring in the same city. First he reached his first major quarter-final at the French Open, picking off Denis Shapovalov and Stefanos Tsitsipas en route. Five months later, he pulled off an even more outlandish achievement.
At the Paris Masters, Rune became the first ATP player to defeat five top-10 players in a single conventional tournament. After upsetting Hubert Hurkacz, Andrey Rublev, Alcaraz (who retired in the second set tie-break due to injury) and Félix Auger-Aliassime, he produced the performance of his life to defeat Djokovic 7-5 in the third set of the final.
“It takes a lot,” says Rune on what he learned from the experience. “It’s not easy, I tell you. It’s a lot of hard work. If you stop doing the hard work, you’re finished, boom. And you have to be able to maintain your high level every time you step on the court.
“Today, for example, I practised with Rublev. I kept my level good in the first set, but then I stepped a little bit down and – boom – he killed me. You have to be able to stay there and even raise it if necessary.”
The Dane, currently ranked world No. 4, is set to return to competition this week at the China Open, hoping to snap a seven match losing streak dating back to a quarterfinal loss at the All England Club to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz. Rune's slump in form can be traced back to physical struggles, having told Danish TV at Davis Cup earlier this month that he had a pinched nerve in the fifth lumbar vertebra in his spine since the clay-court season.
For example, a candle may be lit to represent the warmth and passion they share, or a bowl of water may be used to symbolize emotional and intuitive connection. These elements are believed to infuse the ceremony with spiritual energy and blessings. Pagan union rituals also often involve the presence of loved ones and the community. Family members, friends, and fellow pagans may be invited to witness and participate in the ceremony, providing their blessings and support to the couple. This communal aspect reflects the interconnectedness and importance of the wider network of relationships in a pagan's life. Overall, the pagan union ritual is a powerful and deeply meaningful celebration of love, spirituality, and the natural world. It allows individuals to honor their connection to each other, the divine, and the earth, all while surrounded by the love and support of their community. Whether it is a small, intimate gathering or a large, elaborate affair, a pagan union ritual is a beautiful expression of commitment and unity..
Reviews for "The Therapeutic Power of Pagan Union Rituals: Supporting Emotional Well-Being"
1. Jennifer - 2/5
I attended the pagan union ritual last weekend and was quite disappointed. The whole event felt disorganized and chaotic. There seemed to be a lack of guidance and structure, making it difficult to fully engage in the ritual. Additionally, the facilitators did not provide clear instructions, leaving many participants confused about what actions to take. Overall, I left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with the experience.
2. John - 1/5
I have been to several pagan rituals before, but the pagan union ritual was by far the worst. The location was poorly chosen, with limited space and uncomfortable seating arrangements. Moreover, the ceremony itself lacked any meaningful depth or connection to ancient traditions. It felt more like a shallow performance than an authentic spiritual experience. I regretted attending and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a true pagan ritual.
3. Sarah - 2/5
I had high expectations for the pagan union ritual, but unfortunately, it fell short. The organizers failed to create a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere, resulting in a sense of exclusion for many attendees. Furthermore, the ritual lacked cohesion and purpose, leaving me feeling disconnected from the intended spiritual journey. I had hoped for a transformative experience, but instead, I was left feeling disappointed and unfulfilled.