Bloodfasting

Bloodfasting is an ancient marriage ritual practised by many Avalonian and Brocéliandic traditions, and later by some in Albion. Similar to the mortal Celtic handfasting, the bloodfasting ceremony involves the letting and sharing of blood between the Promised individuals as a statement of their enduring and undying love. For many, it is the ultimate and definitive expression of commitment throughout lifetimes and dimensions. Due to its incomparable significance, it is not a common ritual, as most couples are content to remain as Promised to one another.

History

Established early in Éirí na Gréine / L'ère de L'aube, this ancient tradition has been practised for almost as long as there has been love, and blood. A sister-ceremony of handfasting, it is a slightly more involved version of the mortal ritual. Little about the core concepts has changed over the centuries, with the only alterations being the language, the aesthetics, and the people involved. It is widely believed that the union of Aafje An Locha I of Brocéliande and Cridhe Loch Fae of Avalon was one of the firsts examples of a bloodfasting ritual.

Execution

Triad oaths:

Basic:

"Mo Sang, Do Sang, Chéad Sang."
("My Blood, Your Blood, First Blood.")

Extended:

"Tugaim mo sang duit. Tugann tú do sang dom. Tarraingímid ár gcéad sang óna chéile."
("I give to you my blood. You give to me your blood. We draw first blood from one another.")

Components and tools

Originally, the only components required for the bloodfasting were the pair of betrothed and a blade. Early in Éirí na Gréine, two Promised individals, most often with the blessings of their Houses, would initiate the ceremony themselves by uttering a triad oath. Each Promised would present to the other a weapon or ceremonial blade as a gift, making a small and harmless incision above the heart. This would be the first blood spilled by what would become the receiving Sworn's primary weapon.

Participants

Apart from the essential presence of the Promised, the ceremony would commonly be attended by the happy couple's Houses, courts, families, friends, colleagues, and battlemates. Any children of the pair would assume a ceremonial role, but the bloodfasting itself is carried out by the Promised alone. There is no officiant or celebrant, and indeed there is no requirement for any witnesses, as the blood itself is witness and proof enough.

Observance

Bloodfasting can be performed at any time, but over the course of the millennia the preferred season became Eucatast in the Animist Calendar. Eucatast is a summer period and traditionally a time of celebration of life, and bloodfastings held during these months are events marked by merriment. Conversely, bloodfastings performed during the dark weeks of Alamort / Cathasach are rare and (by some) regarded with superstition as doomed or fraught with woe.

Related Ethnicities

• Aistrigh Cruth
• Guthanna
• Laibhe
• Seiliegh
• Serous
• Venin