BINDING
"The Union of Love"
Public & Personal Ceremonies
These ceremonies are free, and can be modified to the desire of those being bound.
©
Rua Lupa.
Condition: Provide Credit to this original source
Binding in the Ehoah tradition normally falls between the first and second harvest (Transequinox & Equinox) when food is bountiful and a feast can easily be made; a time of good weather for an outdoor ceremony (in a pavilion if its raining), for guests to travel, and a time if when conception occurs, the child would arrive in spring. There are of course regions that don't fall so neatly in this kind of season, so the time of the binding ceremony can vary in response.
Anyone who has altered the ceremonies below to more accurately depict the yearly cycles of their region are invited to share it via Contact Form on the Introduction Page so others of the same region are able to use it too.
There is a seedling which is used in the binding ceremony. This seedling is to be taken home to be cared for by those whom are bound. After a year and a day this seedling is then planted in a location that is special to those bound. If the seedling happens to die before it is planted in the ground, it is okay. The main point is to plant a tree after a year and a day in symbolism - so it doesn't have to be the same seedling. This is encouraged because throughout the years you share together, you can watch how the tree you've planted close to home grows with your relationship. Creating a simple reminder of our connections within Nature.
Anyone who has altered the ceremonies below to more accurately depict the yearly cycles of their region are invited to share it via Contact Form on the Introduction Page so others of the same region are able to use it too.
There is a seedling which is used in the binding ceremony. This seedling is to be taken home to be cared for by those whom are bound. After a year and a day this seedling is then planted in a location that is special to those bound. If the seedling happens to die before it is planted in the ground, it is okay. The main point is to plant a tree after a year and a day in symbolism - so it doesn't have to be the same seedling. This is encouraged because throughout the years you share together, you can watch how the tree you've planted close to home grows with your relationship. Creating a simple reminder of our connections within Nature.
Public or Personal
The Public Binding ceremony is not mandatory to be considered bound to one another; as it is regarded as a public announcement of what is already in the hearts of the beloved and a way of celebrating that love with their community. If it is decided that a public ceremony is not appropriate for yourselves the Personal Binding Ceremony is an option.
Public Binding Ceremony
(As loved ones attending the ceremony are gathered before Officiant, those to be bound are hidden from each other and those attending by curtains or brush, and are situated on either side of Officiant)
Officiant: "Here we are gathered, to witness and support our beloved (OR insert names of those being Bonded) as they come into Binding."
(Come out of hiding, see each other for first time that day, meet in front of Officiant and Join hands)
"And in binding we are to remember the many lessons found in Nature.
That there will be times when you flourish and grow, when things come easily and your love is in its fullness. These are the times of long light and growth."
(Behind the Officiant is a small tree planted the previous day by those to be bound. Officiant moves aside and Those in Binding together give a last handful of soil to tree and together use jug of water beside tree to pour water around tree's trunk. Return to position before Officiant - If unable to plant tree in earth at location of ceremony, have tree in pot, this tree will later be planted in the ground prior to reception, or honeymoon.)
"There will be times when you harvest the fruits of your labors, and find satisfaction in working towards a common goal. These are the times of harvest."
(Officiant holds up a stick with an apple, or other stemmed fruit, hanging on the end of the stick by a string, and raises it so the apple is in front of mouths of those being bonded. They then come together to pin the apple between each of their mouths and together bite the apple.)
"And there will be times of cold, longing and darkness, when you must endure hardships and grief. These are the times of long nights and dormancy."
(The Officiant hands a dead twig to those in binding and they together break the twig and drop it at their feet)
"But beyond all these is the revitalization of new life and play. And these are the times of spring."
(The Officiant bends down and moves the dead twig from the ground and with the other hand reveals a potted seedling of which is handed to those in binding whom together raise the seedling and then return it to the Officiant to be placed to the side)
"By working together you will rediscover the joys of spring, the passion of long days, and the fruits of harvest."
Officiant: "Here we are gathered, to witness and support our beloved (OR insert names of those being Bonded) as they come into Binding."
(Come out of hiding, see each other for first time that day, meet in front of Officiant and Join hands)
"And in binding we are to remember the many lessons found in Nature.
That there will be times when you flourish and grow, when things come easily and your love is in its fullness. These are the times of long light and growth."
(Behind the Officiant is a small tree planted the previous day by those to be bound. Officiant moves aside and Those in Binding together give a last handful of soil to tree and together use jug of water beside tree to pour water around tree's trunk. Return to position before Officiant - If unable to plant tree in earth at location of ceremony, have tree in pot, this tree will later be planted in the ground prior to reception, or honeymoon.)
"There will be times when you harvest the fruits of your labors, and find satisfaction in working towards a common goal. These are the times of harvest."
(Officiant holds up a stick with an apple, or other stemmed fruit, hanging on the end of the stick by a string, and raises it so the apple is in front of mouths of those being bonded. They then come together to pin the apple between each of their mouths and together bite the apple.)
"And there will be times of cold, longing and darkness, when you must endure hardships and grief. These are the times of long nights and dormancy."
(The Officiant hands a dead twig to those in binding and they together break the twig and drop it at their feet)
"But beyond all these is the revitalization of new life and play. And these are the times of spring."
(The Officiant bends down and moves the dead twig from the ground and with the other hand reveals a potted seedling of which is handed to those in binding whom together raise the seedling and then return it to the Officiant to be placed to the side)
"By working together you will rediscover the joys of spring, the passion of long days, and the fruits of harvest."
Officiant: *Repeat after me* (those in binding repeat the words at the same time)
*"I promise to share with you.." - "..the warmth of long days," - "the bounty of harvest," - "the trials of long nights," - "and the joys of spring."*
(exchange rings or other form of expressing being Bound together)
Officiant: "In your years together remember this message of the changing seasons. Blessed Be your Binding."
(Kiss)
(Race through 'aisle' between those in attendance whom are showering flowers, seeds or leaves over them)
*"I promise to share with you.." - "..the warmth of long days," - "the bounty of harvest," - "the trials of long nights," - "and the joys of spring."*
(exchange rings or other form of expressing being Bound together)
Officiant: "In your years together remember this message of the changing seasons. Blessed Be your Binding."
(Kiss)
(Race through 'aisle' between those in attendance whom are showering flowers, seeds or leaves over them)
Personal Binding Ceremony
The Personal Binding Ceremony is for those who wish to be bound without a public service. It is similar to the public version but only requires those in binding to perform.
Find a safe location where you can perform the personal ceremony, plant a tree (2 yrs old or older), a seedling (have it placed nearby before ceremony), and where there is a nearby low hanging branch. On this branch will be a string tied to an apple (or other stemmed fruit) so that the fruit can hang in a way that you can together bite it (Hang the apple before the ceremony). If there is no low branch for an apple to hang from, a found long branch staked into the ground will do.
Together: "Times of flourish, and of growth, things come easy, love is full - These are the times of long days."
(Together plant a small tree and with both your hands on a jug of water, pour water around tree's trunk.)
(Come together on either side of the hanging fruit.)
Together: "Times of harvest, fruits from labor, satisfaction in a common goal - These are the times of harvest."
(Pin the fruit between your mouths and together bite the fruit.)
"Times of cold, longing, darkness, enduring hardships, and feeling grief - These are the times of long nights."
(Together hold a dead twig, snap it and drop it at your feet)
"Beyond all these is the revitalization of new life and play - These are times of spring."
(Brush the broken twig aside and together raise the seedling and place it where the dead twig was)
"Working together, we rediscover, joys of spring, passion of long days, and the fruits of harvest."
(Together plant a small tree and with both your hands on a jug of water, pour water around tree's trunk.)
(Come together on either side of the hanging fruit.)
Together: "Times of harvest, fruits from labor, satisfaction in a common goal - These are the times of harvest."
(Pin the fruit between your mouths and together bite the fruit.)
"Times of cold, longing, darkness, enduring hardships, and feeling grief - These are the times of long nights."
(Together hold a dead twig, snap it and drop it at your feet)
"Beyond all these is the revitalization of new life and play - These are times of spring."
(Brush the broken twig aside and together raise the seedling and place it where the dead twig was)
"Working together, we rediscover, joys of spring, passion of long days, and the fruits of harvest."
*"Warmth of long days - Bounty of harvest - Trials of long nights - Joys of spring. These I will share with you"*
(exchange rings or other form of expressing being Bound together)
"Throughout our years, we'll remember this, the message of the changing seasons."
(Kiss each other)
(and since you are alone you can consummate your binding then and there)
(exchange rings or other form of expressing being Bound together)
"Throughout our years, we'll remember this, the message of the changing seasons."
(Kiss each other)
(and since you are alone you can consummate your binding then and there)
If you wish to share your experience with, or of your own Binding Ceremony here,
please send a message through the contact form on the Introduction page.
We'd love to have some photos here so
if you have any pictures that you're willing to share here
please send them to rua.lupa@gmail.com
with a brief description and the name of the photographer.
please send a message through the contact form on the Introduction page.
We'd love to have some photos here so
if you have any pictures that you're willing to share here
please send them to rua.lupa@gmail.com
with a brief description and the name of the photographer.
©
Rua Lupa.
Condition: Provide Credit to this original source
