Hearth and Home Witchery

Handfasting
Handfasting invitations-created for you by the very talented Lora Gaddis

Handfasting Oil**

Gardenia, for peace and harmony
Musk, for passion and courage
Jasmine, for continuing love
Rose Geranium, for protection against adversity.

Blend together (using the eyedropper, a drop at a time) until the scent seems perfect. Make up two ounces or so. Then add one pinch dried yarrow.

Yarrow is used in love and marriage spells since it has the power to keep a couple together for 7 years. Seven is the number of Venus, the planet of love.
When finished, pour into twin crystal jars. One of these is given to the woman, the other to the man. Every night the couple should anoint one another, using their own jars. When seven nights have passed, the oils should be blended together, poured into one of the jars,and the other jar should be hidden in some secret place.

** I've found this recipe all over the internet, I'm fairly sure that despite everyone's "source:unknown" this recipe comes from Scott Cunningham.

Handfasting Prayer

"Marry me under a garland of stars,
Conifers silent witness
To night wind's echoed vows.
Bearing our promises upward
Through universal whiteness
To the sepulchre of God.
Touch me once for all time,
All lives that are to be...
Our love enshrined.
Marry me under the gaze of stars.
Celestial concourse, bless our joy
Now and forevermore..."

The Handfasting
Lynn Whitehead

In the wood the sound of bell
summoned us into the dell
eagerly we climbed the path
for bride and groom who followed last

Then purified by fire and water
spun into circle with much laughter
by power beyond both time and space
the circle made a holy place

We danced to raise the sacred power
to fill and bless their bridal bower
then bride and groom their love declared
and song and dance of joy was heard

Then feast to honour bridal pair
and Lord and Lady, all things fair
the woods they rang with merry laughter
may joy and fortune follow after!

Both pieces found at: http://www.paganlibrary.com/music_poetry/index.php

Handfasting

7 drops Palmarosa
5 drops Ylang-ylang
1 drop Ginger
2 drops Rosemary
1 drop Cardamom

Wear as a personal oil and anoint candles during handfasting rituals.

Poppy Seed and Honey Handfasting Cake

1 c Poppy seed
1/3 c Honey
1 c Butter or shortening
1 1/2 c Sugar
4 Eggs, separated
1 tsp Vanilla
1 c Sour cream
2 1/2 c Sifted all purpose flour
1 tsp Baking soda
1 tsp Salt

FROSTING
2 tbl Butter or margarine
1 3/4 c Sifted icing (confectioners)Sugar
2 tbl Milk
pinch Salt
3/4 tsp Vanilla

Cook poppy seed with honey and 1/4 cup water in small saucepan for 5 - 7 minutes. Cool. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Addpoppy seed mixture. Add egg yolks, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Blend in vanilla and sour cream. Sift together flour, baking soda, and salt; add gradually to poppy seed mixture, beating well after each addition. Beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into batter. Pour into greased and lightly floured 9 inch tube pan. Bake in moderate oven (350F) about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until done. Cool in pan 5 minutes. Remove from pan and cool on wire rack. Frost.

Frosting - Cream butter until soft and fluffy. Add icing sugar alternately with milk until mixture is spreading consistency. Blend in salt and vanilla. Spread over top of cake; let icing dribble down sides of cake. Sprinkle poppy seed on top.

Attributes: love, luck, fertility, prosperity and a life full of sweetness.

SOURCE: unknown