So I am running a fever again (started yesterday) and this headache won’t go away. Fortunately I have managed to get some apples to stay down in my stomach. Oh man, work is going to suck today.
Opai I am propably going to finish that commission for your step-father this weekend.

So what am I doing other than wallowing in jasmine tea? I am looking up information on Renaissance weddings. As you all know Michael and I am married (on Decemeber 18th it will be a year!) but we want to have a handfasting eventually too so we can invite friends and family. Orginally when we first started speaking of a handfasting we wanted it in the summer of 2006 but I think it might be better to aim for 2007, which gives us more time to save and such.

For those who do not know what a handfasting is, it is a Pagan wedding. Some people have told me it is only a Wiccan thing but its orgins are actually in the celtic culture. It is called a handfasting because the couple to be wed hands are tied together with a red cord (red symbolises the desire, passion and vitality of the love the couple have for each other.) There is really not set in stone way to do a handfasting but it is a Pagan ritual so everyone who is invited no matter what faith they are will be required to keep and open mind. It would be more Pagan then medieval but I would like it to have a medieval flare.

But I am not worried about a guestlist yet, by any means, we haven’t even set a date! But I am typing this entry to distract myself from my headache and to write down all the stuff I have been meaning to talk to Michael about and never am gathered enough to do…

I don’t expect you all to read this so don’t worry, it is more of notes to self than anything else.

Traditionally Michael would need a suit, but if it was going to be a full out Pagan/Renaissance type wedding, a tunic and robes would be called for. Which I can imagine my sweetie in a lot better than I can imagine him in a suit and tie. I wonder if I could get him into a kilt… Rwar.

Since it is a handfasting it would need an altar. I think simple is best for things like this and by the time we get around to having a handfasting we will probably have a lot of things needed for an altar. Something to represent the five elements and fourcardinal directions.

Earth (also the North) which represents the physical realm as well as good health, a happy home and fertility. Now traditionally there is a pentacle or dish of salt but I am not too partial to the pentacle, but I think a dish of sea salt would be simple and nice. I have heard of a loaf of bread being used, which would be interesting.

Air (also the East)which represents the mental realm as well as wisdom, good communication, learning and intellectual growth. Incense is what I have on our apartment altar but this would be an outside event and I also know a significant amount of my family have allergies to incense (like my Grandma) so I think a bell would be more fitting. A brass bell perhaps.

Fire (also the South) which represents the action realm as well as creativity, harmony, sensuality and vitality. Candles, mmmmmmmmmmmm. Though it will be in the daytime and I intend on having a candle for something else. But a wand or athame (ceremonial dagger) could be used. Sir Crispii (a blacksmith) might be making me a dagger and I would love love love to use that.

Water (also the West) which represents the emotional realm as well as understanding, emotional support, intuition and friendship. Definetly and chalice for this part. Silver in colour with water. Natural water, not tap or bottled.

Spirit (which is the center of all – ie: the center of the altar) which represents the spiritual realm as well as balance, wholeness, integrity and spiritual growth. This is normally some spiritual potent object, oil, a crystal, a goddess or god statue. On our altar we have a white pilar candle with stones around the bottom. I would like something similar for our handfasting.

So that is the altar. It would all be outside, I am unsure on the time of day, but we would want the handfasting to be a cool time of year. I like Autumn but I know Michael likes early Summer, which is also not as unpredicatable as Autumn in Spokane. I think about it the vibrant greens of that time would be awesome too.

I have a bit of an odd view when it comes to Michael and my handfasting. I am an artist but I don’t want to have to make any of the things for it all by myself. I’ll help of course! Help make the cake, the food, arrange the bouquet, the dress. But some things I would like other people to do.
– I would love Swandog to do the art that would be on the cover of the invitation card.
– Maybe commission FireEyes to make the caketopers, though she does not do humans with proficiency yet, I know she is fast improving.
– I would love Crispii to make the athame for the altar.
– I would make Michael’s robes though because those will be done far before the handfasting and serve more purposes then just that event, as mine do.
– The dress is a bit more complicated. I would love Kim, my mother-in-law (who is amazing) to make it for me. Design wise I can think of 2 patterns I have seen to combine to make the dress. It would have a burgany skirt and a cream coloured peasant blouse top. Simple enough, but I also want to commission GreyWolf to make a burgany and silver corset for me. Why a custom corset? Well I can design exactly how I want her to make it and a custom corset (any corset wearer will know) is far less damaging then an off the shelf corset. I have also seen her work, which is stunning. And she is a wonderful person (like Swandog and FireEyes) and I want wonderful peoples energy in all the items made for the handfasting. Of course this means the corset would most likely it would be the most expensive thing in the entire event, still cheaper then normal bigger names though, her prices starting at about $240. But I would be paying for that out of my own money anyhow. My robes over the dress for the ceramony.

Seating, I am guessing chairs and tables would have to be rented. Location? No clue. Somewhere natural but not too far off the beaten path. It would need a bathroom and such. I love the area around where my parents in law live.

I know I said I am not worried about the guestlist but there are some people I would definetly invite. My parents, my grandparents, some select extended family, Michael’s immediate and anyone on his side of the family he chooses to invite. Though neither of our families are Pagan (his are Mormon and mine are Protestant) I know they would know to be sensible about Michael and my beliefs. Friends wise, well I want to keep it smallish, of course I want to know everyone, I don’t want any serious personality clashes either. Lily and Mikcos (and their son) for sure. Petersan, Crispii, Sal and which ever of his wives he wishes to bring, Dove, Maritza and her girlfriend (Melissa?), Cyr, Opai, Becca, Neserit and her Michael, Becka and all the people I am forgetting due to my headache. Various people from Adria I am sure.

Food. Oh man, I don’t want to think about that right now. No clue, don’t ask me. I am sure I would be asking my Grandma and Mom for help, lotsa help.

Bouquet, seasonal flowers most likely. I like wild flower arrangements *looks around for Ginanne because she heard she is good at that*. I would want flowers that would represent my closest friends and family.

Music, anothing yikes! No clue but I am intending on leaving that in the capable hands of my husband. I wonder if anyone plays the piano I know.

Bridesmaids and well whatever the guys on the otherside are called. Obviously I am leaving the male choices to Michael. But on my side… Opai (if she can come), Nes (if she can come), Becca and Lily. that is of course subject to change as I know more people and the time draws nearer. And I will pick FUCTIONAL inexpensive bridesmaid dresses.

Brain is dieing now. If you are still reading this and can think of a subject I missed post a comment reminding me of it please. ~_^.

Peace and love.