Main Page | See live article | Alphabetical index Handfasting is a Neopagan (especially Wiccan) term for a wedding. It can be performed for heterosexual or homosexual couples (see also Same-sex marriage). Some handfastings are also legal marriage ceremonies, but others are only recognized by the Neopagan community and not the state. Handfastings vary as greatly as non-Pagan weddings do. Not all handfastings are for life. Some handfastings are for a "year and a day", and the relationship is renewed annually. Usually, at least a few of the following are involved that set handfastings apart from other wedding ceremonies: jumping the broom binding of the hands drinking from a chalice performance of the ceremony skyclad performance of the ceremony by a High Priest or High Priestess or both three-part kiss or five-part kiss the Great Rite creation of a marriage altar beforehand A corresponding divorce ceremony called a handparting is sometimes practiced. This article is from Wikipedia. All text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License.