User:Greldik/Aeducan Warding

The Aeducan Warding, or Maiden Cleansing Ritual is stated to have been formalized in Britain when Christianity arrived during the 1st or 2nd century. The ritual was a process by which a man looking to marry in the Church might purge himself of his previous sexual iniquities. The ritual calls for a married man and an unmarried man to aid in the transition. The unwed man would display an image or effigy of the women in question while the married man would cite a cursory history of the woman in question. After the history had been stated the man being cleansed would imbibe a portion of strong spirits to fortify themselves against making the same mistake in the future. The unwed man would then burn, smash or in some way destroy the image or effigy and the ritual would proceed onto the next former mate until all persons of significance had been seen, born witness to and gotten rid of. This ritual fell out of practice towards the end of the 6th century but came back into secular practice shortly after the creation of the Church of England in 1534. Although it has never gained a significant following, it remains to this day a vital practice in marital preparation for those who adhere to it.

A common preparatory ceremony for this ritual would be as follows:

Married Man: We are here to purge your loins of past iniquities. Are we satisfied to commence?

Unwed man: Yes, we are.

Married Man: Groom, are you prepared to be instructed, to face your past and cleanse yourself with powerful spirits?

Groom: Yes, I am.

Married Man: Bring forth the first folly!

At this point the Unwed Man would show the first woman and the ritual is formulaic until the final image/effigy has been destroyed. At this point the Married Man will close out the ceremony.

Married Man: Your past faced, your loins purged, you have been dutifuly instructed. Are those gathered satisfied?

All: No, we are not.

Married Man: Yes, you are quite right, there must be one last spirit which may provide ample instruction to aid our friend.

At which point a final spirit would be provided for the Groom to imbibe.

Married Man: We are satisfied with your instruction. The Warding is complete.