Rite of Bonding
By Brian Turpin
The two to be bonded agree on a place, preferably a sacred grove or wilderness area. Altar set up is optional. Whatever is agreeable will work (this includes casting a Circle, if desired). Bring wine and a chalice to drink, in honor of the friendship, and water to wet the ground (if outside). Begin by the calling the Quarters.
The two then proceed together to the East. One raises an athame in salute and says:
I call Thee, spirits of Air! Soft breezes and strong winds, hearken well to what is said here, and write our words upon the winds.
They proceed together to the South. The other raises an athame in salute and says:
I call Thee, spirits of Fire! Eternal warmth and flame, hearken well to what is said here, and burn our words across the bright skies.
They proceed together to the West. The first again raises an athame in salute and says:
I call Thee, spirits of Water! Rushing rivers, lakes and seas, hearken well to what is said here. May our words be spoken by the very waters.
They proceed together to the North. The second again raises an athame in salute and says:
I call Thee spirits of Earth! Lands of tall forests, open heath and barren range, hearken well to what is said here. May our words be graven upon the stones themselves.
Both proceed to the center and face the altar (if present), raise both athame in salute and together say:
We call upon Thee for Thy presence, o gracious Goddess and laughing God! Hearken to what is said here. May it be heard throughout all realms.
If there are other things to say, or other good friends to remember, now is the time to speak of them, each in their own words.
If the ground is dry, soak a spot with the water from a stream, spring or well (tap water will do if it’s purified first). One makes a footprint in the ground, and then the other will superimpose their footprint in that just made by their friend.
Both face one another and tightly clasp hands (each with the right hand holding the other's right wrist), and each says:
As long as the tree is in the ground and the acorn thereon, do I pledge to you true friendship and kinship, bonded to you as my (brother/sister) to aid you and to protect you through all the worlds and all the ages. I thus swear before the Winds, the Flames, the Waters, the Earth and the gracious Lady and the laughing Lord and all creation for all time, that I will be your true friend as long as oak and Earth do stand. So mote it be! Blessed be!
Now share the wine in the chalice to honor the friendship. Offer a libation to the Goddess and the God. A hug or a kiss are also good here. Now is also the time to speak any other words that either deems appropriate.
When both are satisfied, they proceed together to the North. The first friend raises an athame in salute and says:
Spirits of all the lands, mark well what has been pledged here. As you depart in peace, so may you return in peace when I call again.
Both proceed to the West. The second friend raises an athame in salute and says:
Spirits of all waters, mark well what has been pledged here. As you depart in peace, so may you return in peace when I call again.
Both proceed to the South. The first friend raises an athame in salute and says:
Spirits of all flames, mark well what has been pledged here. As you depart in peace, so may you return in peace when I call again.
Both proceed to the East. The second friend raises an athame in salute and says:
Spirits of all winds, mark well what has been pledged here. As you depart in peace, so may you return in peace when I call again.
Both return to the center and face the altar (if present) and raise athame in salute and together say:
We thank Thee for Thy divine presence and ask Thee to mark well what has been pledged here. As you depart, may there be peace between us now and forever. This rite is ended. Merry meet and merry part and merry meet again. Blessed Be!
Both should leave to share a meal together and drink together, toasting their friendship.
A Rite of Bonding is a ritual performed by very close friends to seal their friendship. Its background is largely based in Norse tradition, although there are several other varied traditions that practice similar rituals. It was a way of showing each other, and the Gods Themselves, that your friendship was strong.
The hardest part of writing a ritual is getting started. To do so, consider the motivation. What do you wish to accomplish in the ritual? Even if your desire is simply to show your love for the Goddess and Her beloved consort, there is still a reason behind the ritual. Once your motive is clear, the rest of the ritual will usually flow easily. Often there are several examples you can use; but the best ritual is the one you write. A ritual of any kind is powerful, no matter who writes it, but when it comes from you it holds its own special magickal quality.
I wrote this ritual with several friends and family members in mind. The basic idea came from The Rites of Odin, by Ed Fitch. There is much good information and ritual ideas in that book—and many others. Taking the basic idea of the Rite of Bonding, I altered it and combined it with my personal practices, making it my own. If you read the ritual I wrote and the one in the book you'll no doubt see some similar aspects, but mine reflects my thoughts and beliefs, and that is what makes it personal. I hope this ritual will inspire you to write your own, and explore your own relationship with the Goddess and the God. | 
