A handfasting ceremony is a traditional pagan ritual that symbolizes the joining of two individuals in marriage or partnership. It is an ancient custom that predates Christianity and has its roots in Celtic and European cultures. In contemporary times, handfasting ceremonies have gained popularity among modern pagans and those seeking alternative wedding ceremonies. The term "handfasting" derives from the practice of literally binding the couple's hands together with a cord or ribbon, symbolizing their union and commitment. The cord is often made with colors that are significant to the couple, such as representing their heritage or personal beliefs. The act of handfasting is typically performed by a person of authority or spiritual significance, often a pagan priest or priestess.
If you did not roll AC bonus, the item has no AC bonus If you did roll AC bonus, here are the possible bonuses when wielding this item.
If you did not roll Charges, the item is limited to 1 charge, regained at long rests unless otherwise stated If you did roll charge, here is how many charges the item has. Rank Usage Time I Bonus Action II Bonus Action or as Extra Attack III Bonus Action or Reaction IV Bonus Action or Reaction or Extra Attack V Free Action.
The act of handfasting is typically performed by a person of authority or spiritual significance, often a pagan priest or priestess. During the ceremony, vows are exchanged between the couple, expressing their love, commitment, and intentions for the future. These vows may be personalized or traditional, depending on the couple's preferences.
Random Magic Item Generation (5e Variant Rule)
This variant rule allows for randomly generated magic items to be found in place of regular ones.
Each tier of magic item (common, uncommon, etc.) is assigned an amount of allowed properties of differing potencies. These potencies are organized into ranks going from I-V. There are also effects that do not count towards this limit called bonus effects. Bonus effects are far from guaranteed on every item however. The amount of properties and ranks each rarity can get is not concrete and can be adjusted to better fit any campaign. If you end up with a magic item with no properties that give it effects, I.E. Range, Area of Effect, and Charges or it gives properties a stored spell already has. Reroll the highest ranked property or the useless property until the item has effects.
| Rarity | Properties |
|---|---|
| Common | 2 Rank I, 1 Rank II |
| Uncommon | 2 Rank I, 1 Rank III |
| Rare | 2 Rank II, 1 Rank III |
| Very Rare | 2 Rank II, 1 Rank IV |
| Legendary | 2 Rank II, 1 Rank V |
| Artifact | 2 Rank III, 1 Rank V |
For each property roll a D10 on the chart below, rerolling duplicate numbers.
| D10 | Property |
|---|---|
| 1 | Damage |
| 2 | Heal |
| 3 | Status |
| 4 | Area of Effect |
| 5 | Charges |
| 6 | DC/Attack Bonus |
| 7 | Stored Spell |
| 8 | AC Bonus |
| 9 | Range |
| 10 | Usage time |
If you did not roll damage, the item does no damage. If you did roll damage, here is how much damage the item does. The damage is to hit, unless a status effect or AOE is applied. If the status effect is applied, so is the damage. The damage has a Dex saving throw on AOEs without statuses.
| Rank | Damage |
|---|---|
| I | 3d4 |
| II | 2d10 |
| III | 3d8 |
| IV | 4d10 |
| V | 5d10 |
| D6 | Damage Type |
|---|---|
| 1 | Poison |
| 2 | Cold |
| 3 | Fire |
| 4 | Lightning |
| 5 | Thunder |
| 6 | Force |
If you did not roll heal, the item does no healing. If you did roll heal, here is how much healing the item does.
| Rank | Amount Healed |
|---|---|
| I | 3d6 |
| II | 2d12 |
| III | 3d10 |
| IV | 4d12 |
| V | 5d12 |
If you did not roll status, the item applies no statuses. If you did roll status, here is what status the item applies.
| Rank | Status |
|---|---|
| I | Prone (Dex Save) |
| II | Poisoned (Con Save) |
| III | Stunned (Con Save) |
| IV | Paralyzed (Con Save) |
| V | Petrified (Con Save) |
If you did not roll AOE, the item's uses do not have AOE. If you did roll AOE, here is what the item's AOE is.
| Rank | AOE |
|---|---|
| I | 10 by 10 Foot Cube |
| II | 15 by 15 Foot Cube |
| III | 20 by 20 Foot Cube |
| IV | 30 by 30 Foot Cube (Uses can also discriminate between targets in area, allowing allies not to be hit.) |
| V | 50 by 50 Foot Cube (Uses can also discriminate between targets in area, allowing allies not to be hit.) |
If you did not roll Charges, the item is limited to 1 charge, regained at long rests unless otherwise stated If you did roll charge, here is how many charges the item has.
| Rank | Charges |
|---|---|
| I | 2 Charges (2 Regained on long rest) |
| II | 2 Charges (2 Regained on long rest) |
| III | 4 Charges (2 Regained on long rest) |
| IV | 5 Charges (3 Regained on long rest) |
| V | 10 Charges (4 Regained on long rest) |
If you did not roll DC/Attack Bonus, the item has an attack bonus of +0 and a DC of 12 If you did roll DC/Attack Bonus, here is the DC/Attack Bonus.
| Rank | DC/Attack Bonus |
|---|---|
| I | DC 14/+2 |
| II | DC 16/+4 |
| III | DC 17/+5 |
| IV | DC 19/+7 |
| V | DC 21/+9 |
If you did not roll stored spell, the item has no stored spell If you did roll stored spell, here are the levels of possible stored spells.
| Rank | Spell Level |
|---|---|
| I | Levels 1 or 2 |
| II | Levels 3 or 4 |
| III | Levels 5 or 6 |
| IV | Levels 7 or 8 |
| V | Level 9 |
If you did not roll AC bonus, the item has no AC bonus If you did roll AC bonus, here are the possible bonuses when wielding this item.
| Rank | AC Bonus |
|---|---|
| I | +1 |
| II | +2 |
| III | +3 |
| IV | +4 |
| V | +4 (Add half proficiency on saving throws that don't already have proficiencies. |
If you did not roll range the item has a range of touch which cannot be extended through familiars and other things similar to that. If you did roll range, these are the possible ranges of the item.
| Rank | Range |
|---|---|
| I | 15 ft |
| II | 25 ft |
| III | 45 ft |
| IV | 90 ft |
| V | 150 ft |
If you did not roll usage time, the item has a usage time of 1 action. If you did roll usage time, here are the possible times.
| Rank | Usage Time |
|---|---|
| I | Bonus Action |
| II | Bonus Action or as Extra Attack |
| III | Bonus Action or Reaction |
| IV | Bonus Action or Reaction or Extra Attack |
| V | Free Action |
Roll a d20. on a 20, the item will now roll a d20 upon use. On a 1, the wild surge table will be rolled on.
Roll a d20. on a 20, this item will now break if all of its charges are used. The item can no longer regain charges from rests. One of the items properties is now 1 rank higher.
Roll a d20. On a 20, this item will be cursed. The curse makes it so that when this item is attuned to, it cannot be removed from the person it is attuned to no matter what. It can not be unattuned to.
Roll a d20. on a 20 this item is now fully sentient and can communicate vocally.
Roll a d20. on a 20 this item is cursed. The curse binds it to the ethereal plane, meaning that when the person attuned to it is knocked unconscious or killed, the item will be transported to the ethereal plane.
Roll a d20. on a 20 this item sheds light 20 feet outwards. This light can be turned off but can not be dimmed.
Roll a d20. on a 20 this item is well known is both feared and envied by friends and foes.
Roll a d20. on a 20 this item is cursed. It will ensue short term madness on the user after use.
If you did not roll range the item has a range of touch which cannot be extended through familiars and other things similar to that. If you did roll range, these are the possible ranges of the item.
The binding of the hands is usually done with the cord wrapped around the wrists and tied in a knot, creating a physical bond between the couple. This binding is meant to represent the bond of marriage or partnership, symbolizing their connection and unity. Handfasting ceremonies can be tailored to the couple's preferences and beliefs, allowing for flexibility and individuality. Couples may choose to incorporate other pagan rituals or elements into their ceremony, such as the lighting of candles, the pouring of libations, or the use of symbolic items. It is a deeply personal and meaningful ritual that celebrates the love and commitment of the couple. While handfasting ceremonies are rooted in pagan traditions, they can be adapted and performed by individuals of any belief system. Many couples choose handfasting as a way to have a non-religious or inclusive wedding ceremony that reflects their values and beliefs. It offers a unique and beautiful alternative to traditional weddings, allowing couples to customize their ceremony to make it truly their own. In conclusion, handfasting ceremonies are a pagan tradition that celebrates the union of two individuals in marriage or partnership. With its roots in ancient Celtic and European cultures, handfasting has gained popularity among modern pagans and those seeking alternative wedding rituals. It is a deeply personal and meaningful ceremony that symbolizes the commitment and unity of the couple. Handfasting ceremonies can be customized and tailored to reflect the couple's beliefs and values, making it a unique and inclusive choice for wedding ceremonies..
Reviews for "Exploring the Different Types of Handfasting Cord in Pagan Ceremonies"
1. John - 2/5 stars - I attended a pagan handfasting ceremony as a part of a cultural exchange experience, and I must say I was not impressed. The ceremony seemed disorganized and lacked structure. The participants seemed more focused on their individual beliefs rather than creating a unified experience for everyone. Additionally, there was a lack of explanation and guidance for those unfamiliar with pagan rituals, which left me feeling confused and excluded. Overall, it was not an enjoyable or meaningful experience for me.
2. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I recently attended a pagan handfasting ceremony, and I must say it was a complete disappointment. The ceremony lacked any sense of spirituality or connection with nature. It felt more like a performance rather than a genuine expression of faith. The participants seemed more interested in showcasing themselves than creating a meaningful and inclusive experience for everyone present. It was a waste of time and left me feeling disconnected and unfulfilled.
3. Mark - 2/5 stars - I attended a pagan handfasting ceremony with an open mind, hoping to gain insight into a different spiritual practice. However, I was left feeling underwhelmed and confused. The ceremony lacked a clear structure or explanation for those unfamiliar with pagan rituals. The chanting and dancing seemed more like a chaotic and disorganized performance than a sincere spiritual practice. I left the ceremony feeling disconnected and with no deeper understanding or appreciation for the pagan faith.