Handfasting for Beltane: A Meaningful Celebration of Love
Beltane, a celebration of fertility, passion, and the blossoming of life, offers a perfect opportunity to embrace the beauty of unity. As the wheel of the year turns and the Earth awakens, it's a time to celebrate love in all its forms. One such ritual, steeped in ancient tradition and symbolism, is *handfasting*.
If you’re unfamiliar, handfasting is a lovely and meaningful ceremony that connects two people by physically binding their hands together, symbolising their commitment to one another.
What Is Handfasting?
Handfasting is an ancient custom where a couple binds their love by tying the knot. In its traditional form, it was often a way to celebrate a couple’s bond, sometimes as part of an engagement or even a marriage. The ritual involves tying the couple’s hands together with cords whilst reciting vows or blessings. The binding of hands symbolises the commitment to remain united, in love and partnership, through life's journey.
Why Handfasting for Beltane?
Beltane is a festival deeply rooted in themes of fertility, growth, and the union of opposites. It marks the time when the Sun’s energy fully strengthens the Earth, encouraging new life and abundance.
Handfasting is perfect for Beltane because it aligns so beautifully with these themes. The ritual invites you to celebrate love, commitment, and the sacred union of energies. Whether you are marking a new romantic partnership,or reinforcing a current bond, handfasting is a powerful way to recognize the importance of unity in your life.
How to Celebrate Handfasting on Beltane
Handfasting can be adapted to suit your personal style and the intentions you have for the ritual. While there are traditional elements, there’s no “right” or “wrong” way to approach it. Here are a few ideas to help you craft your own meaningful ceremony for Beltane:
1. Select a bespoke handfasting cord
Traditionally, handfasting cords are tied in colours that have specific meanings. You might choose red for passion, green for fertility, or white for purity. You can also choose colours that hold personal significance or reflect the intentions you’re setting for the future. The cords can be simple or ornate, and you might even want to incorporate natural elements like flowers. At Ceotha studio you can choose to customise the handfasting cords to create something truly personal to you!
2. Set your intention
Whether you’re doing this with a partner, close friend, or even in solitude, it’s important to set your intention. What are you hoping to manifest or celebrate? It could be the growth of your relationship, your own personal development, or simply a desire to honour the energies of the season.
3. The ceremony
The ceremony itself can be simple or elaborate. In a traditional handfasting, the couple would hold hands while a celebrant (or the couple themselves) ties the cords around their joined hands, often while saying vows or blessings. You can customise this by adding poems, prayers, or even symbolic gestures like lighting candles or offering flowers!
4. Embrace the magic of Beltane
Beltane is all about embracing the magic and beauty of life. Surround yourself with symbols of fertility, growth, and love. Decorate your space with flowers, greenery, and items that represent new beginnings. You could even hold the ceremony outdoors, perhaps near a fire or a blossoming tree, to deepen your connection with the natural world.
A Lasting Symbol
After the ceremony, the handfasting cord can be kept as a lasting symbol of the commitment made. You might hang them in your home, wear them as a reminder of the connection, or even turn them into a piece of art. Some people even choose to frame their cord, keeping them as a memento of the day.
Handfasting is a beautiful, ancient way to celebrate the magic of Beltane, offering a meaningful ritual that honours love, unity, and the interconnectedness of all things. Whether you are marking a relationship, celebrating personal growth, or simply connecting with the energy of the season, a handfasting ceremony is a perfect way to bring your intentions to life and celebrate the love and possibilities that Beltane brings.
Credits:
Photography + videography: @rainirowellphotography
Couple: K+M
HMUA: @carolinestewart.makeup.hair @runesandrouge
Celebrant: @borderceremonies
Handfasting cord: @ceothas_cords
Dress: @bibiluxe
Groom’s outfit: @vinted
Planning + styling: @rainirowellphotography
Head-dresses: @rainirowellphotography