The Blessing of the Four Directions
There are many versions of this blessing, which has its roots in Native American culture. Inherent in this ceremony is the belief that human beings are tied to all things in nature. It is this belief which assigned virtues to the four cardinal directions; East, South, West and North. It is according to this belief that we align ourselves with these elements. Each of these blessings from the four cardinal directions emphasizes those things which will help the couple build a happy and successful union. Note: it can be done with or without the circling below. You may want to include friends or family in the tying of the ribbons. Also, if you feel it will add too much length to the ceremony, it can be used as a substitute for the final blessing.
Officiant:
Now, join hands and walk the circle of time, traveling through the elements and seasons.
Bride and groom join hands and face the south.
Officiant: Your love, like the seasons will face many changes, and like the tides, it will ebb and flow. Will your love survive the harsh fires of change?
Bride & Groom together: It Will.
Officiant will tie a red ribbon around the joined hands of the bride and groom.
Officiant: Then accept the blessing of fire in this place of summer. May your home be filled with warmth.
Bride and groom will turn together and face the west
Officiant: You have found one another and you relationship has held both times of joy and moments of sadness. Will your love survive the ebb and flow of feeling?
Bride & Groom together: It Will
Officiant will tie a blue ribbon around the joined hands of the bride and groom.
Officiant: Then accept the blessing of water in this place of autumn. May your life together be filled with love.
Bride and groom will turn together and face the north.
Officiant: We live in a world that rewards us with instant gratification, yet married life must be rooted in patience and often in the need to simply be still with one another. Will your love survive the times of stillness and restriction?
Bride & Groom together: It Will.
Officiant will tie a green ribbon around the joined hands of the bride and groom.
Officiant: Then accept the blessing of Earth in this time of winter. May your union be strong and fruitful.
Bride and groom will turn together and face the east.
Officiant: Many days in your marriage, you will love easily and freely. On other days, it may not be so easy and when the sun comes up, you will have to make a conscious decision to choose to love your partner. Will your love survive the clear light of day?
Bride & Groom together: It Will.
Officiant will tie a yellow ribbon around the joined hands of the bride and groom.
Then accept the blessing of air in this place of spring. May your marriage be blessed by the light of every new dawn.
Officiant:
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East. Communication of the heart, mind, and body Fresh beginnings with the rising of each Sun. The knowledge of the growth found in the sharing of silences.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South. Warmth of hearth and home The heat of the heart's passion The light created by both to illuminate the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West. The deep commitments of the lake The swift excitement of the river The refreshing cleansing of the rain The all encompassing passion of the sea.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North Firm foundation on which to build Fertility of the fields to enrich your livesA stable home to which you may always return.
Shorter version (simply stated by the officiant, eliminates the ribbons and the movement by the couple)
In many cultures, it is believed that the human soul shares characteristics with all things in nature. These cultures assigned virtues to the four cardinal directions: East, South, West, and North, and the four elements: air, fire, water, and earth. It is according to this belief that we align ourselves with these elements and directions. The energy of each element and direction emphasizes those things that will help you build a happy and successful union.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the East and the element of Air, for openness and breath, communication of the heart, and purity of the mind and body.
From the East you receive the gift of a new beginning with the rising of each Sun, and the understanding that each day is a new opportunity for growth.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the South, the element of fire, for energy, passion, creativity and the warmth of a loving home. From the fire within you generate light, which you will share in even the darkest of times.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the West, the element of water, for our capacity to feel emotion.
In marriage you offer absolute trust to one another, and vow to keep your hearts open in sorrow as well as joy.
Blessed be this union with the gifts of the North, the element of earth, which provides sustenance, fertility and security. The earth will feed and enrich you, and help you to build a stable home to which you may always return.