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Pagan Weddings

Pagan weddings also known as handfastings are remarkable celebrations where a couple make heart-felt personal vows to each other and their hands are literally tied together in the presence of their family, friends or entire community. Pagan weddings are so much more than the standard “I Do” ceremony that most couples settle for. And, they definitely don’t have to carry the price tag of what you might call a standard wedding.

Standard weddings are just that. Standard. Everyone knows what’s coming next, and they are completely lacking in individuality, personal beliefs, personal choices, personal meanings and inclusions unique to the couple. Pagan weddings are full of symbolism, meaning, deeply spiritual and are rooted in ancient Celtic traditions.

The word handfasting simply means wedding in Neopaganism and is an historical term meaning wedding in Great Britain and Ireland. Historically, the location of the handfasting didn’t matter that much, and it certainly did not have to be in a church. The ceremony often took place in the largest space available, such as a tavern, or outside in orchards or most often at the bride’s home.

Whilst we don’t always know the facts about how our ancient ancestors lived, because most things were passed down in an oral rather then written tradition, we do know that handfastings continued in England until the marriage act of 1754, which was to stop ‘clandestine marriages’ by establishing the common laws of marriage as we know them today. We also know that the word knot or cnotte in Middle English has been used since the 1200s to describe the bond of wedlock.

Anyone can have a pagan wedding and if you are worried about offending people or putting your guests off coming, you might want to call it an alternative wedding and you can tailor the elements of your wedding with your Celebrant. I think you will agree that one of the best things about the pagan community is that we embrace inclusion in all its guises.

That brings me on to other aspects of a pagan wedding. Everyone gets involved in a big or a small way. The ceremony is at the heart of the wedding, and a full handfasting ceremony can last between 30 and 45 minutes. But its not boring. No-one will want it to end, especially the bride and groom, and guess what? You can have pre-wedding ceremonies such as a ring blessing, which is strictly for the bride and groom only, and is deeply moving and spiritual. And after the main ceremony you can have a jumping the broom ceremony and a cake and mead ceremony.

I often think that the many months of preparation and planning the couple put into a standard wedding that their actual ceremony doesn’t hit the spot. It’s over too fast and lacks true meaning. The bride and groom will say the same words that you say at a Civil Wedding, but that’s about 5 minutes of the entire ceremony. With the rest of the ceremony having much more depth and warmth.

A pagan celebrant is not a wedding planner, but they will lead you through the planning and preparation for the ceremony and gently steer you in the right direction through the consultation process to ensure you have the handfasting you long for.

This blog was written by our very own Sacred Celebrant of Avalon, Kaz Nicholls, one of the practitioners and volunteers at The Cottage. Click here for contact information.

Our Learning Circles

Our learning circles help you begin or deepen your spiritual journey and understanding of pagan and mystical practices. Everyone is welcome, no matter how inexperienced or experienced they feel.

The learning circles are held once or twice a month at The Cottage Healing Centre, our 15th century cottage, which is located at the rear of The Cottage Shop.

As a not for profit organisation our circles and events are provided for an affordable donation to enable as many people as possible to attend. 

Goddess Circle

Our Goddess Circle is very well established, and has been running for many years. This circle is held once a month currently on the first Thursday of the month and is led by Sacred Celebrant Kaz Nicholls.

This is a sisterhood for women, empowering them in the tradition of divine feminine spirituality, for their greatest good and for the benefit of all. Following the wise women who have gone before us, we re-learning ancient knowledge and wisdom and how to bring this into our modern lives. At this learning circle we aim to re-discover the balance and harmony of the goddess and the god, seeking to understand the cycles of life, the seasons, the beauty of nature and the cosmos and our place therein.

This is a spiritual circle, but also full of information about deepening your practice and learning about alternative medicine, herbs, how to protect the environment and walk with lighter footsteps upon Mother Earth.

For contact details please go to our What’s On section.

Mystic Circle

Another well-established circle held twice a month on Saturday evenings. This circle is open to all and led by Intuitive Tarot Reader & Reiki Practitioner Monique Hopkins.

Here you will safely step further into the world of witchcraft, learning about magical protection, spell craft, how to make your own magical tools, the cycles of the moon and how they can enhance your magic. In a group setting you will learn about Tarot and other divination techniques and discover what kind of witch you are.

Although respectful and taking The Craft very seriously this is a light-hearted circle where you will learn to enhance your magical practice and connect with other local practitioners.

For contact details please go to our What’s On section.

Drum Circle

Whether you have your own drum or have never picked up a drum before everyone is welcome at our drum circle. Usually taking place on Saturdays once or twice a month. We drum, chant and sing together generating wonderful uplifting energy, led by our sound healer Kaza Satchwell.

Our drum circle is ideal for those who are already on their spiritual path or looking to begin their journey.

For contact details please go to our What’s On section.

Sound Healing Group

This is the opportunity to be emersed in the magical healing and deeply restorative properties of sound in a group setting. Usually held once or twice a month on Saturday afternoons and hosted by our very own sound healer Kaza Satchwell.

For contact details please go to our What’s On section.

Learn More

In addition to learning circles we have one-off events from time to time on different subjects so it is always best to check on our Facebook page and Instagram page for the most up to date information. Or you can message us via the website contact page to find out what’s on or see the What’s On section.

Ethically Sourced Crystals

Ethically sourced crystals really matter. My name is Anita and I am the principal crystals supplier to The Cottage Shop in Tamworth. I have been fascinated and drawn to crystals for many years, supplying The Cottage came from my passion, or should I say obsession for crystals. I am NO expert. But through my own personal journey I have learned a great deal about them.

I have spent days on end researching and now working with suppliers that buy direct from crystal mine owners in various countries across the world. This way I can be assured of ethical mining and sourcing.

I choose crystals intuitively from the energy that I can feel from them. I prefer to buy the crystals I supply in person so I can hold them and feel their energy. Sometimes I do buy online, but only from reputable companies that source directly from mines and have been recommended to me. The excellent wholesalers I buy from online show me crystals during a video call so that I can still choose pieces intuitively at a distance, which I feel more comfortable with and I know exactly what I am buying for The Cottage Shop.

Crystals are graded for clarity, colour, personal perception and inclusions such as phantoms and rainbows. Also, the location of the crystal mine they come from can play a part in grading. For example some of the best labradorite in my experience comes from Madagascar. A lot of the crystals I buy for The Cottage Shop in Tamworth are classed as AAA or A grade. I personally don’t feel that there is much difference between these grades, they are all beautiful pieces of crystal, if they weren’t I wouldn’t buy them!

Many of the customers who buy crystals from The Cottage Shop use and work with their crystals. This could be in their spiritual or magical practice or when they meditate or even work with clients if they are crystal healers or healers such as Reiki practitioners who use crystals. So, The Cottage Shop is very particular as to where they source the crystals they sell. Which is why I work so closely with them.

I am often asked whether it’s ok to buy crystals from the large online trading sites. I always say “buyer beware”. There are some genuine sellers who use these sites, and there are also people who don’t have a clue what they are selling. The most common pitfalls are receiving fakes, not getting what the photo shows in both appearance and size and I have heard that a lot of the sellers are really misinformed about the crystals they are selling and do not actually know what they are. When buying online you don’t know the origin of the crystals or whether or not they have been ethically mined and sourced. There are people who trade in crystals that exploit local people asking them to put their lives at risk for extremely low pay with no safety precautions, so they can make a big profit and when the mine has been emptied, they just move on to the next one.

The online wholesalers I use have proper trading relationships with the mine owners directly, and pay a fair price. I even get to know second-hand about the lives of the mine owners such as the mother and daughter who own a mine in Mexico.

I consider crystals to be living beings. They sit in my own crystal room and are lovingly cleansed and charged before they make their way into The Cottage Shop. I love supplying my crystals to The Cottage, because the crystals I have worked so hard to find and select are truly appreciated by the volunteers and customers alike.