Fiona Juniper Ton

Friends, Family, Honored Guests,

Dingir-ene Zami Mu-unnaru, ud-an-na kia ne;

Praise the Gods, that we have come together,

On this day and in this place,

For we are gathered, watched on by the heavens to join Valaska Fentress and Lilith Benjamin in the spiritual union of marriage.

Marriage is a sacred institution within our culture, and so too was it in ancient times. In those first cities over 7,000 years ago people wrote, and one of their first tales is of the marriage between the Goddess Inanna, and the Shepherd Dumuzid. And in this story, stamped into clay we can see, those born to noble positions, positions of care for others, still yet caught off-guard by the trials of love -- of passion, care, and on the night of their wedding, hesitation.

Indeed, this ancient contract is not to be entered into lightly but seriously and in sound mind, and with a realization of its obligations and responsibilities. Even in the first marriage told in those ancient texts, Inanna, who holds domain over love itself showed hesitance in her ability to uphold such responsibility, and Dumuzid the shepherd showed hesitance for the same responsibility -- and if gods might consider the weight of union, we owe it to ourselves in making this choice, to also consider thoughtfully the weight of this sacred binding.

I ask you remember that love and loyalty, care and understanding are the foundations of a joyful and enduring life spent together, and that so long as you have each in your heart, you need not dread the weight -- for both of you will carry it in your time together.

Now, as Queen and Shepherd did in those ancient ages, I ask of both of you to speak your vows in reassurance of the care you hold for one another.

[Vows]

At this time, the brides will exchange rings in recognition of the intent to bind themselves and to provide for each other. This is a symbol of attachment and of belonging -- not of possession, but of partnership.

[Ring exchange]

Do you, Valaska Fentress take this woman, Lilith Benjamin to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

[Confirmation]

Do you, Lilith Benjamin take this woman, Valaska Fentress to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, in sickness and in health, in good times and woe, for richer or poorer, keeping yourself unto her for as long as you both shall live?

[Confirmation]

Then by the authority vested in me by the Gods and the State of California I now pronounce you wives.