[Nika-S]

I have been researching aspects of the Pagan religion for a while and have come across a marriage practice known as ‘handfasting.’ Some have told me that this is an engagement ceremony, but I have also read it is considered a marriage ceremony. Aside from the legal matters, is handfasting a formal marriage ceremony for Pagans?
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Name : Nika-S, City : Baltimore, State : MD, Country : United States, 

[Jack]

Handfasting can go either way. As an actual handfasting, they generally only last for a year and a day, for the bride and groom to get used to married life, and they are not legally done. There are permanent handfastings that can be done legally by a minister, but as far as I’m concerned they’re just ‘marriages.’ It’s up to the people involved, though.

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Name : Jack, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation : Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 19, City : Oshkosh, State : WI, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, 

[Shelly]

Handfasting is, indeed a ‘marriage’ ceremony for witches and other pagans. And depending on which tradition you belong to, it can be for ‘a year and a day’, after which you have the option of renewing or going your separate ways. If you renew, it is usually for life, and sometimes, again depending on your tradition, into the afterlife. Some states and provinces will recognise this ceremony, but only if the handfasting ceremony is ‘forever’. Considering the ease with which divorce can be obtained these days, I have never understood this requirement.

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Name : Shelly, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation : Bisexual, Race : mixed, Religion : witch, Age : 54, City : Vancouver, BC, State : NA, Country : Canada, Occupation : student, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Middle class, 

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