Wedding Cake: Ancient Pagan Ritual To Modern Tradition

Pagan wedding traditions are varied and often beautiful. One such tradition is tying the knot or handfasting, where couples have their hands tied together with a blessed cord, symbolising the strengthening of their bond. Another is jumping over a broom, or besom, which is a Wiccan tradition representing the masculine and the feminine. A decorative marriage contract is also a nice Pagan wedding tradition, which can be framed and hung up in the home.

Jumping over a broom (a besom) is a pagan wedding tradition

Jumping over a broom, or a besom, is a pagan wedding tradition. The besom is an important symbol in Welsh Paganism, representing the home and hearth, and is believed to have protective and cleansing powers. The broomstick is also said to be symbolic of the phallus, representing the masculine, while the bristles represent the feminine.

The tradition of jumping over the broom is thought to have originated in the mid-19th century during the era of slavery in the United States, where enslaved people were often not permitted to marry legally. It also took place in some parts of the British Isles, including Wales and Scotland, and is speculated to have originated in West Africa. In Wales, a couple could be married by placing a birch broom at an angle across the doorway. The couple would then jump over it, and if neither of them knocked it down, the wedding would proceed.

The custom is also said to have been practised by the Roma community in the United Kingdom, particularly in Wales. It is believed that the act of jumping over the broom symbolised a couple's union and their willingness to take a leap into a new chapter of their lives together. It was also thought to bring good luck and fertility to the newlyweds.

In modern times, the tradition of jumping the broom has seen a resurgence in popularity, with some gay and lesbian couples adopting the ritual before marriage equality was legalised in the United States. The ritual is also featured in popular culture, such as in the novel and miniseries "Roots", and in the film "Jumping the Broom".

The bride and groom jumping over a broom together symbolises fertility

Jumping over a broom, or a "besom", is a custom relating to a wedding ceremony in which the couple jumps over a broom together. The tradition is thought to have originated in the 18th century in West Africa, where brooms were used for cleaning and removing evil spirits. During a wedding ceremony, the broom would be waved over the couple to ward off spirits, or placed on the ground for the couple to jump over. This custom was also practised by enslaved people in the 19th century American South, as they were often not permitted to marry legally.

The bride and groom jumping over a broom symbolises fertility, as the broom represents a perfect balance between male and female energies. The broom handle is shaped like a phallus and represents the masculine, while the bristles represent female energies. This custom is also said to bring fertility to the union, although this does not refer to literal fertility and childbearing. Instead, it is meant to symbolise planting seeds for good and bringing general blessings to the couple.

In modern times, jumping over a broom is an increasingly popular part of many wedding ceremonies, particularly in the UK and USA. Today, the act symbolises a new beginning and a sweeping away of the past, as well as the joining of two families. The broom can also be used to include guests in the ceremony, with ribbons attached to the broom carrying the guests' well wishes.

The groom kidnapping the bride to prove his worth and courage

The tradition of a wedding cake has long been a staple of nuptial celebrations in various cultures. But have you ever wondered about the origins of this sweet treat? Some suggest that the modern wedding cake has its roots in ancient pagan traditions. A quick google search reveals some interesting history.

One ancient Roman custom involved breaking a loaf of bread over the bride's head as a symbol of fertility and good fortune. This practice evolved over time, with the Romans eventually stacking the bread loaves into a pyramid shape, which is more reminiscent of the tiered wedding cakes we know today. But why would the groom kidnap the bride?

In certain ancient cultures, including the Romans and some Celtic tribes, it was common for the groom to prove his worth by displaying acts of courage and strength. One way to do this was through a tradition known as "bride kidnapping." The groom would quite literally abduct his intended bride from her home or village, often with the help of his friends and family. This daring act served as a demonstration of his bravery, determination, and willingness to go to great lengths to win his beloved's hand in marriage.

The groom's daring act of kidnapping the bride was not without its challenges and risks. It often involved stealth, speed, and sometimes even a bit of trickery to evade the bride's family and any potential suitors who may have been vying for her hand. By carrying out this bold action, the groom proved his courage, his devotion to the bride, and his ability to protect and provide for her. It was a test of his character, endurance, and skill, all of which were valued highly in a potential husband during those times.

The bride and groom running between two fires, with coins or rice thrown over them

The practice of the bride and groom running between two fires with coins or rice thrown over them is a pagan wedding tradition. This tradition is most common in Celtic paganism, where the fires and thrown items symbolise the blessing of the couple with fertility and prosperity.

The practice of running between two fires is believed to bring good fortune to the couple, with the fires representing the blessing of their union by the elements. The rice or grains thrown over the couple symbolise fertility, while also appeasing spirits and asking for blessings and fertility for the couple. The use of rice is also practical, as it is cheap and widely available.

In modern times, rice has been replaced with other items such as sparklers, bubbles, confetti, or pompoms. However, the underlying message remains the same: to ensure a prosperous and fruitful life for the newly married couple.

This tradition is just one of many pagan wedding traditions, such as "tying the knot" or handfasting, where the couple's hands are bound with a cord to symbolise the strengthening of their bond. Other traditions include jumping over a broom, which symbolises protection and making a home together, and the presentation of a decorative marriage contract to be signed and displayed.

The bride and groom jumping over a broom to symbolise taking a leap of faith into their new life together

Jumping the broom, or jumping the besom, is a custom with a complex history, which has been incorporated into wedding ceremonies. The tradition is most widely observed by African Americans and Black Canadians, but it is also present in Irish, British, and Pagan wedding traditions.

The custom is thought to have originated in West Africa, where brooms were used to ward off evil spirits. In this tradition, a broom is waved over the couple's heads and then placed on the ground for them to jump over. In another version of the custom, the couple jumps over the broom without touching it, and their marriage is annulled if they jump backward over the broom.

Jumping the broom is also thought to have been practised by enslaved people in the United States, who were often not permitted to marry legally. It is not clear whether this custom was adopted voluntarily or forced upon them by slaveholders. After the abolition of slavery, some Black people continued to jump the broom, either because an officiant was not available or because they believed that jumping the broom was a valid form of marriage.

In Pagan ceremonies, the broom handle represents the male phallus, and the bristles represent female energy. Jumping over the broom symbolises taking a leap of faith into a new life together. The broom can also represent protection and making a home together.

The bride and groom jumping over a broom symbolises taking a leap of faith into their new life together. This act symbolises their commitment to each other and their willingness to face the unknown together. It is a way to ask for blessings and protection as they begin their married life.

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