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The Vows |
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Written by Mark
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Wednesday, 02 March 2005 |
Unfortunately, since the wedding was at a public Festival, there was
quite a bit of noise all aroud us. Not many people could hear the
wedding vows that Miranda and I put together.
Here is a transcript of the vows that were said....
[DENA] We have come together here in
celebration of the joining together of MIRANDA and MARK. There are many
things to say about marriage. Much wisdom concerning the joining
together of two souls has come our way through all paths of belief, and
from many cultures. With each union, more knowledge is gained and more
wisdom gathered. Though we are unable to give all this knowledge to
these two who stand before us, we can hope to leave with them the
knowledge of love and its strengths and the anticipation of the wisdom
that comes with time. The law of life is love unto all beings.
Without love, life is nothing, without love, death has no redemption. If we learn no more in life, let it be this.
Marriage
is a bond to be entered into only after considerable thought and
reflection. As with any aspect of life, it has its cycles, its ups and
its downs, its trials and its triumphs. With full understanding of
this, MARK and MIRANDA have come here today to be joined as one in
marriage.
Others would ask, at this time, who gives MIRANDA in
marriage, but, as a woman is not property to be bought and sold, given
and taken, I ask simply if she comes of her own will and if she has her
family's blessing.
MIRANDA, is it true that you come of your own free will and accord?
[MIRANDA] Yes, it is true.
[DENA] With whom do you come and whose blessings accompany you?
[FATHER] She comes with me, her father, and with all of her family's blessings.
[DENA] MARK and MIRANDA, please join hands.
Above you are the stars, below you are the stones.
As time passes, remember...
Like a stone should your love be firm,
like a star should your love be constant.
Let the powers of the mind and of the intellect guide you in your marriage,
let the strength of your wills bind you together,
let the power of love and desire make you happy,
and the strength of your dedication make you inseparable.
Be close, but not too close.
Possess one another, yet be understanding.
Have patience with one another,
for storms will come,
but they will pass quickly.
Be free in giving affection and warmth.
Have no fear and let not the ways of the unenlightened give you unease,
for you are never alone.
[DENA]
MIRANDA, I do not have the right to bind you to MARK, only you
have this right. If it is your wish, say so at this time and place your
ring in his hand.
[MIRANDA] It is my wish.
[DENA] MARK, if it be your wish for MIRANDA to be bound to you, place the ring on her finger.
[MARK] (places ring on MIRANDA's left ring finger)
[DENA] (to MARK) Repeat after me:
I, MARK, take you,MIRANDA, in marriage;
To be my beloved;
To walk, run, and dance this new path together;
To love, care and share;
To let the winds dance between us;
Let the fires burn within us;
And the waters flow through us
On our sacred journey together.
I promise to love you wholly and completely, without restraint,
in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty,
in life and beyond, where we shall meet, and love again.
I will not seek to change you in any way.
I will respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself.
With this ring may a new life begin;
With this ring I thee wed;
With my hearts' faithful affections,
And my love to you.
[DENA]
MARK, I do not have the right to bind you to MIRANDA, only you
have this right. If it is your wish, say so at this time and place your
ring in her hand.
[MARK] It is my wish.
[DENA] MIRANDA, if it is your wish for MARK to be bound to you, place the ring on his finger.
[MIRANDA] (places ring on MARK's left ring finger)
[DENA] (to MIRANDA) Repeat after me:
I, MIRANDA, take you, MARK, in marriage;
To be my beloved;
To walk, run, and dance this new path together;
To love, care and share;
To let the winds dance between us;
Let the fires burn within us;
And the waters flow through us
On our sacred journey together.
I promise to love you wholly and completely, without restraint,
in sickness and in health, in plenty and in poverty,
in life and beyond, where we shall meet, and love again.
I will not seek to change you in any way.
I will respect you, your beliefs, your people, and your ways as I respect myself.
With this ring may a new life begin;
With this ring I thee wed;
With my hearts' faithful affections,
And my love to you.
[DENA] At this time, I would like to speak of some of the things that many of us wish for you.
You
have chosen and vowed to walk the same path and embark upon a quest
together. To help you along your way, we bring you gifts so precious
that all the wealth of the mightiest kings that ever lived can not buy
them, yet they are the birth-right of all peoples.
I give you
the blessing of Air -- invisible as thought. Constant movement: ever
present and uncontained. May your thoughts soar with the wind!
The
blessing of water I give you -- changing and flowing, water conforms to
the shape of its container and by doing so, changes both. May the
mysteries of the Water's depths be yours!
Fire's blessing I give
you -- the flames of love are yours: but remember that the fire that
warms will also burn if not treated with respect. May the Flames fill
you with warmth and light!
The blessing of the Earth is yours
-- constant and stable, her substance is a source of renewal and
strength. May the wealth of the Earth nourish you!
The Sun's
blessing goes with you -- his light and warmth brings health and joy.
May the brilliance of the sun illumine your lives!
I give you
the blessing of the Moon -- her phases teach you the mystery of cycles
and her light will guide you in your changes. May the Moon's glow
brighten your quest!
The blessings of the Stars are yours --
though distant and beyond reach, their lights guide us and pull us out
of the familiar and into new worlds. May you explore the wonder of the
Stars together!
As you embark upon this quest, do so with joy
and love in your hearts. But remember always -- you cannot be true to
another unless you are true to yourself.
Do you accept these gifts?
[COUPLE] We do.
[DENA]
Then, by the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and
wife for all lifetimes. You may kiss your bride.
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