Wayne and Paul's Ásatrú Wedding in Iceland

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• published: 03 Jul 2014
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My partner Paul and I were married a few weeks ago (June 2014) in Iceland, where marriage for everyone is legal regardless of whether you are gay, straight or whatever. We chose an Ásatrú ceremony, which for want of a better expression you might called a Viking wedding. It took place in a small temple by a fjord surrounded by snow covered mountains. It was midnight - but still daylight because Iceland experiences no night time in summer. Our gods are way better than those of you burdened by middle eastern cult beliefs. Ásatrú is the modern expression of pre-Christian beliefs which never died out in Iceland. These Norse religious beliefs were once the main religion across northern Europe from Germany, Scandinavia and as far away as England. As such they are the ancestral beliefs of most Australians. Our gyðja (priestess) was Johanna Harðardóttir, who is an Icelandic journalist and has a small temple in western Iceland. This short video is intended for family and friends to get some sense of the ceremony and our reasons for taking this step. It records the wedding and has some information about the Ásatrú marriage ceremony. Our camera died on this trip so we had to shoot the footage on a tablet. It turned out OK but we compensated for the audio by using subtitles. It was a long way to travel from Melbourne in southern Australia. It was worth it for a beautiful ceremony that had meaning for us and legal standing in many countries. Iceland is a stunningly beautiful but sophisticated small country. It really is a land of fire and ice with all those glaciers and volcanos. Its people make you feel welcome. Do yourself a favour and go for a visit. For anyone interested, here is the Ásatrú marriage ceremony: Cornerstones of the Ásatrú marriage ceremony Every couple has their own wishes that can be woven into the ceremony. The only things that are not to be changed is the existence of fire, water (in some dilution), wind and earth. These elements of nature are set up in a special way to make the scene of the wedding ceremony. The rituals are basically the same. Usually the goði (priest or priestess) prepares the holy circle where the ceremony will take place with help of one assistant. Guests gather around it and in time the couple enter the ring following the goði. This is the ceremony itself: 1. Firstly the goði sanctifies the circle that has been marked with fire and calls upon the gods we want to be present. This is a traditional opening of a ceremony. 2. The goði calls the two individuals to be married into the circle of fire. 3. Freyja the goddess of love, Frigg the goddess of home and family and Vár the goddess that protects all contracts between people are called as witnesses and protectors of the marriage. 4. The goði speaks to the couple and guests of the gathering of two souls and two wills. 5. The couple make their oaths (wows) to each other holding the ring of oaths (Eiðbaugur). 6. Rings, presents or words to each other (if preferred). 7. The goði consecrates the marriage with the ring of oaths (Eiðbaugur). 8. The goði drinks to the future from the horn, the wedded couple to one another. If there are not too many guests the horns is passed around for everyone to drink from. 9. The couple steps out of the holy circle together. The basic oath in English (you can make your own in your own language): I call upon all good beings that I take (name) to be my husband/wife/partner etc. I understand and accept the responsibility of my decisions. Wayne and Paul's additional oath: I will love, honour, respect, protect and care for you all the days that are left to us. Every couple make their own oaths and you can make one for the both of you, or you make them separately and keep them a secret until at the ceremony. You can involve other people if you like -- i.e. singing or playing music, as guards, witnesses or to say a few words. Just make sure it will not be too long. You don't have to be Ásatrú to have an Ásatrú wedding. They are very open and accepting people. But a word of caution - if you are looking for an Ásatrú group in your country make sure they are not some neo-Nazi or racist group that has appropriated the Icelandic name. Those people are not so open and accepting. For those people who don't like this video or who don't approve of our ceremony, I don't have much to say other than you can stand on your head and fall through your arse for all I care. Our gods are way better than some vicious middle eastern tribal deity used as an excuse to behave badly.