Our Wedding Ring Ceremony.

Ring Initiation:

1. Remove rings from containers, tie together with cotton string.

2. Expose rings to direct sunlight. (5 minutes) - SUN

3. Leave exposed to the sunset, thru twilight, until moon is visible.

4. Expose to direct moonlight. (5 minutes) - MOON

5. Bury completely underground. (5 minutes) - EARTH

6. While still exposed to moonlight, immerse rings into a glass containing distilled water.

7. Dim lights, and place in freezer. (5 minutes) - COLD

8. Remove from freezer, place in another container of room temperature distilled water.

9. Boil additional distilled water, and put rings in boiling water. (5 seconds) - HOT

10. Place rings in microwave and turn on 100%, for 5 seconds. - MAN MADE ENERGY.

11. Place rings in 95% ethyl alcohol. Ignite alcohol and let burn for 5 seconds. - STERILIZATION

12. Ignite whatever alcohol clings to rings, on a glass plate. - FIRE

13. Separate rings from string , return rings to container and deliver to Candle Ceremony.

Candle Ceremony:

NOTE: Previously gathered were four white candles, two red candles, a symbolic container, a lighting candle, and burning incense. The candles are arranged with the woman's on the left and the man's on the right with the container between them.

The ceremony begins with the woman holding the man's ring. She lights the first white candle and states: "Here burns my sincerity, my belief in the power of this ring burns as strongly as does this flame. It will never die."

The red candle is lit, and she says: "Here is the love that goes into this ring, for this ring is a symbol of our love." The ring is then passed through the flame of the white candle, three times, and she says: "By fire I do cleanse this ring of any and all impurities that may dwell within it."

The ring is then passed through the smoke of the incense and she says: "By my own power I cense and cleanse this ring to be ready for ___________ (say man's name)." Holding the ring in her right hand, she says: "I imbue this ring with love. ___________ (say man's name) shall feel that awesome power and that power shall be ever with him - so as long as he shall wear it."

She now passes the ring through the flame of the red candle, three times, and says: "Here is that love, fully consecrated within."

The ring is now placed in the container.

The previous is now repeated, by the man, saying her name and changing gender of pronouns as necessary.

With both rings now in the container, the woman now says to the man: "I am here to cleanse and purify myself, to obliterate the negativity of the past and to welcome now the love and joy of the future." She lights her remaining white candle, and says: "Here do I light the lamp of purification. I know that I am loved, for I also have love for myself. As these flames burn strong and true, so does my body and spirit burn with an intensity of goodness and love."

This is now repeated, by the man, saying her name and changing gender of pronouns as necessary.

Both now stand together and face EAST, and say, together: "We have honored the air by exposing our rings to the moon of the night and the sun of the daytime. East you are the giver of wishes, knowledge and dreams, and that is what we ask of you."

Both now stand together and face NORTH, and say, together: "We have honored the earth by placing our rings in the soil. North you are the giver of material gains and stability, and that is what we ask of you."

Both now stand together and face UP, and say, together: "We have honored the upward direction by exposing our rings to energy, both natural and man-made. Upward you are the giver of power and light, and that is what we ask of you."

Both now stand together and face DOWN, and say, together: "We have honored the downward direction by acknowledging evil. Downward is the direction of bad and evil. We have sterilized these rings to remove all traces of evil."

Both now stand together and face WEST, and say, together: "We have honored the water by exposing our rings to water. West, you are the giver of love and friendship, and that is what we ask of you."

Both now stand together and face SOUTH, and say, together: "We have honored the fire by exposing our rings to the flames. South, you are the giver of passion and creativity, and that is what we ask of you."

Now we place each other's ring on their hand and complete this ceremony. The candles are allowed to burn until the incense is completed. This gives us time to reflect on ourselves and each other.