Marriages and Wedding Anniversaries
Unlike any other covenant, The Circle of the Crone believes in and practices marriage between Kindred partners. The Circle perspective on the Requiem, seeing it as part and parcel of the cosmos and no less natural than anything else, inclines Acolytes to feel as entitled to a formally recognized pair bond as anyone else. (Indeed, more than many others. Most cults refuse to accept homosexual marriages.)
Though recognized, marriages among Acolytes aren’t common. Covenant practice considers human wedlock to dissolve upon the Embrace. After all, the common vow says, “Until death do us part.” But to commit to another creature, possibly for eternity, is not a step to take lightly. This is doubly true for a spouse cursed with hunger and the Beast.
A marriage under The Crone is a unification of body and spirit, a vow before all gods and Kindred that these two stand together, each the other’s bulwark against the madness of ages, and woe to any who would sunder them. Each member of the pair is expected to minister to the other, protect and comfort the other, feed and shelter the other. Married Acolytes are primarily loyal to one another, above the calls of clan, covenant or coterie. Only their chosen gods are to be honored above the spouse.
Mixed marriages, in which a vampire marries a mortal, are nearly unheard-of. Domains where such a thing is accepted are definitely out on the fringe. Mixed marriages may happen in secret in more mainstream regions, however.
The Circle does not believe in divorce. The only way out of a Circle marriage is through Final Death. While formal requirements that the spouses live together are uncommon, there’s a powerful social expectation that they will. If they don’t share a Haven, they can expect to explain that choice many, many times.
A Circle wedding ceremony is traditionally held out under the night sky, far from the prying eyes of mortals. Often, the Kindred announce their engagement by planting a garden together. When it has grown to fruition, they are married in it. They walk down an aisle, through the middle of a crowd of well-wishers. If possible, each is escorted to the Altar by his or her sire. At the Altar, the pair clasp hands and, in the witness of their Priest and peers, they pledge their troth.
Wedding anniversaries are usually private. Often the couple feeds deeply the evening before and stays in their Haven all night, remembering their Requiem together and making plans for the future. Sometimes they deepen, or renew their mutual Vinculum, but if they do or don’t, it’s a deeply personal matter.
In areas where Acolyte weddings are practiced, the bond between partners is sacred. More, it’s defended fiercely. Any attempt to put a married Acolyte under a Vinculum that surpasses the spousal bond is often seen as an insult to the entire covenant. One Prince in Belgium who attempted to put a married Acolyte Maiden under Vinculum (ostensibly as a punishment, but she was gorgeous and he was Daeva) was shocked by the resistance he encountered, even from Acolytes who didn’t particularly like The Maiden in question. Unwilling to back down, he did it anyway. Now he’s ash. There were other factors involved in his undoing, but his callous willingness to trample the wedding bond was the excuse that riled his enemies’ followers.
Though recognized, marriages among Acolytes aren’t common. Covenant practice considers human wedlock to dissolve upon the Embrace. After all, the common vow says, “Until death do us part.” But to commit to another creature, possibly for eternity, is not a step to take lightly. This is doubly true for a spouse cursed with hunger and the Beast.
A marriage under The Crone is a unification of body and spirit, a vow before all gods and Kindred that these two stand together, each the other’s bulwark against the madness of ages, and woe to any who would sunder them. Each member of the pair is expected to minister to the other, protect and comfort the other, feed and shelter the other. Married Acolytes are primarily loyal to one another, above the calls of clan, covenant or coterie. Only their chosen gods are to be honored above the spouse.
Mixed marriages, in which a vampire marries a mortal, are nearly unheard-of. Domains where such a thing is accepted are definitely out on the fringe. Mixed marriages may happen in secret in more mainstream regions, however.
The Circle does not believe in divorce. The only way out of a Circle marriage is through Final Death. While formal requirements that the spouses live together are uncommon, there’s a powerful social expectation that they will. If they don’t share a Haven, they can expect to explain that choice many, many times.
A Circle wedding ceremony is traditionally held out under the night sky, far from the prying eyes of mortals. Often, the Kindred announce their engagement by planting a garden together. When it has grown to fruition, they are married in it. They walk down an aisle, through the middle of a crowd of well-wishers. If possible, each is escorted to the Altar by his or her sire. At the Altar, the pair clasp hands and, in the witness of their Priest and peers, they pledge their troth.
Wedding anniversaries are usually private. Often the couple feeds deeply the evening before and stays in their Haven all night, remembering their Requiem together and making plans for the future. Sometimes they deepen, or renew their mutual Vinculum, but if they do or don’t, it’s a deeply personal matter.
In areas where Acolyte weddings are practiced, the bond between partners is sacred. More, it’s defended fiercely. Any attempt to put a married Acolyte under a Vinculum that surpasses the spousal bond is often seen as an insult to the entire covenant. One Prince in Belgium who attempted to put a married Acolyte Maiden under Vinculum (ostensibly as a punishment, but she was gorgeous and he was Daeva) was shocked by the resistance he encountered, even from Acolytes who didn’t particularly like The Maiden in question. Unwilling to back down, he did it anyway. Now he’s ash. There were other factors involved in his undoing, but his callous willingness to trample the wedding bond was the excuse that riled his enemies’ followers.
Execution
In many ways, it’s like a mortal wedding. In others, it is drastically different.
First, there’s the question of traditional wedding colors. For The Circle of the Crone, everyone (especially the bride) should be arrayed in black. Funeral accoutrements are extremely common, and sending a funeral wreath to a Circle wedding isn’t considered a joke: it’s entirely appropriate. The two are not making a life together. They are making an endless, mutual death.
Secondly, the vows tend to resemble but differ from mortal vows. There is almost never any kind of reference to obedience on the part of either partner. Some Acolytes consider themselves elevated creatures (or diabolical spirits), and disdain mortal gender roles, even if they consider them perfectly appropriate for living women and men. But even for mainstream Acolytes who believe that each sex possesses unique qualities and energies, those energies are considered equal. Placing man or woman in the role of sole controller mean acting wrongly at least half the time. Most Acolytes write their own vows, but there is a common set used by the hidebound (and often looked to as a guideline by the creative).
After both have spoken the words of the oath, they put their words into action. First, they feed from the same vessel. This is traditionally done to the death, and the sacrifice chosen is someone who is particularly meaningful to the couple. For example, if they are both pursuing the path of The Maiden, they might feed on a virginal human girl, perhaps one who is not yet physically mature. They might choose someone relevant to their goals or interests.
For example, a couple dedicated to keeping the wild places of Brazil free might dedicate a farmer to Tezcatlipoca and kill him as their wedding feast. Killing one’s mortal spouse or someone else intimately connected to mortal life is seen as a particularly auspicious sacrifice, though it’s understood that few wish to show that levelof dedication.
After they feed together, they feed from one another. The sharing of Vitae is seen as an essential element of the wedding. After all, even mortals can say they’re dedicated to one another. The Kindred have recourse to stronger displays.
Once they’re under mutual Vinculum (presumably, though perhaps not in fact if one was harboring a bond beforehand), the pair clasps hands and looks into one another’s eyes as the Priest says, “What we join here tonight, let nothing break apart.” He then holds fire under their hands. Something as simple as a quick pass with a candle is acceptable, though a larger fire, or a lengthier span spent in it, is considered more meaningful.
Finally, the Priest invokes whatever spirit the pair has chosen as a patron and, in its name, declares them husband and wife. They kiss and exchange rings. Traditionally, the rings are made of human Bone encased in Silver.
Afterwards there is music and dancing and at least the pretense of a feast. Most couples cannot manage to procure food to sate every Kindred guest present, unless they have extravagant herds or choose a small ceremony. It’s acceptable to present a cauldron of cold human blood, or a selection of live animals, and the guests partake even if they’re not interested or can gain no sustenance thereby. It’s just good manners.
First, there’s the question of traditional wedding colors. For The Circle of the Crone, everyone (especially the bride) should be arrayed in black. Funeral accoutrements are extremely common, and sending a funeral wreath to a Circle wedding isn’t considered a joke: it’s entirely appropriate. The two are not making a life together. They are making an endless, mutual death.
Secondly, the vows tend to resemble but differ from mortal vows. There is almost never any kind of reference to obedience on the part of either partner. Some Acolytes consider themselves elevated creatures (or diabolical spirits), and disdain mortal gender roles, even if they consider them perfectly appropriate for living women and men. But even for mainstream Acolytes who believe that each sex possesses unique qualities and energies, those energies are considered equal. Placing man or woman in the role of sole controller mean acting wrongly at least half the time. Most Acolytes write their own vows, but there is a common set used by the hidebound (and often looked to as a guideline by the creative).
After both have spoken the words of the oath, they put their words into action. First, they feed from the same vessel. This is traditionally done to the death, and the sacrifice chosen is someone who is particularly meaningful to the couple. For example, if they are both pursuing the path of The Maiden, they might feed on a virginal human girl, perhaps one who is not yet physically mature. They might choose someone relevant to their goals or interests.
For example, a couple dedicated to keeping the wild places of Brazil free might dedicate a farmer to Tezcatlipoca and kill him as their wedding feast. Killing one’s mortal spouse or someone else intimately connected to mortal life is seen as a particularly auspicious sacrifice, though it’s understood that few wish to show that levelof dedication.
After they feed together, they feed from one another. The sharing of Vitae is seen as an essential element of the wedding. After all, even mortals can say they’re dedicated to one another. The Kindred have recourse to stronger displays.
Once they’re under mutual Vinculum (presumably, though perhaps not in fact if one was harboring a bond beforehand), the pair clasps hands and looks into one another’s eyes as the Priest says, “What we join here tonight, let nothing break apart.” He then holds fire under their hands. Something as simple as a quick pass with a candle is acceptable, though a larger fire, or a lengthier span spent in it, is considered more meaningful.
Finally, the Priest invokes whatever spirit the pair has chosen as a patron and, in its name, declares them husband and wife. They kiss and exchange rings. Traditionally, the rings are made of human Bone encased in Silver.
Afterwards there is music and dancing and at least the pretense of a feast. Most couples cannot manage to procure food to sate every Kindred guest present, unless they have extravagant herds or choose a small ceremony. It’s acceptable to present a cauldron of cold human blood, or a selection of live animals, and the guests partake even if they’re not interested or can gain no sustenance thereby. It’s just good manners.
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