Tauren[]
Though no official lore has described the union between two Tauren, I've taken the liberty to offer a possibility of a ritual that is inspired by the Pueblo and Manataka tribes... then adapted to modern values and Warcraft lore. -Yanisin
Engagement[]
As an act of engagement, the betrothed sit with one another and working together, throw a ‘Wedding Vase’. The ceremony of marriage will take place after the vase has been fired and painted. There is no breaking the commitment of marriage, and no divorce. The Druid or Shaman makes sure they are well aware of this commitment. If the couple separates and goes their separate ways, in the eyes of the Earthmother, they are still husband and wife. The ceremony will not be performed unless the couple is very serious.
Ceremony[]
The ceremony most always takes place outside... in a place that the bride and groom both admire. Unlike other traditional weddings, there is no defined ceremonial garb. They each declare who they choose to be their spouse. Friends and family then make a commitment to help the couple if ever they argue, and provide marital advice. Again, there is
no divorce ceremony. Everyone works together to ensure the couple's marriage is happy and fulfilling.
A Wedding Vase
The Wedding Vase[]
- The wedding vase is filled with sacred water (likely collected from the rain on the Spirit's Rise or blessed by a Shaman), and the vase is given to the bride. She drinks from one side of the vase, and gives it to the groom, who then drinks from the opposite side. They both, then, attempt to drink from the vase at the same time... usually unsuccessfully. This ceremony unites them as one before they take the steps. The vase will be treasured throughout their life. Should one of them outlive the other, the widow will keep it in safety, or give it to a happily married couple whom they deeply respect. The wedding vase is treasured and protected always-it is never broken, discarded, or destroyed.
The Rite of the Seven Steps[]
- After drinking from the vase, the betrothed take their place beside a beloved landmark or element (a lake, a fire, an old tree, etc) and speak vows in turn with each step they take sun-wise (clockwise) around it together. Spectators circle around the area.
| Husband | Wife |
| O’ my beloved, our love has become firm by your walking together with me. Together we will share the duties of home, food, and child. May the Earthmother bless our children. May they live long. | This is my commitment to you, my husband. Together we will share these tasks. I promise to discharge my needs if I must for the sake of our family and children. |
| O’ my beloved, now you have walked with me the second step. I will love you and you alone as my wife. I will fill your heart with strength and courage. This is my pledge to you. May the Earthmother preserve our family. | My husband, at all times I shall fill your heart with courage and strength. In your happiness I shall rejoice. May the Earthmother smile upon you and our family. |
| O’ my beloved, now you’ve walked three steps with me. Our wealth and prosperity will grow. May the Earthmother bless our children. May they be strong, wise, and may they live long. | My husband, I love you with devotion. I will treat all other men as my brother. My devotion to you is pure and you are my joy. This is my commitment and pledge to you. |
| O’ my beloved, it is a great blessing that you have now walked four steps with me. You have brought favor and sacredness into my life. | O’ my husband, in all acts of rites, in material prosperity, and in every form of enjoyment, I promise you that I shall participate and I will always be with you. |
| O’ my beloved, you have now walked five steps with me. May the Earthmother make us prosperous. May she bless our paths. | O’ my husband, I will share both in your joys and sorrows. Even in most troubled of times, your love will make me very happy. |
| O’ my beloved, by walking six steps with me, you have filled my heart with happiness. May I fill yours with great joy and peace, time and time again. | My husband, the Earthmother blesses you. May I fill your heart with great joy and peace. I promise that I will always be with you. |
| O’ my beloved goddess, as you have walked seven steps with me, our love and friendship have become inseparable and firm. We have become one in the Earthmother. You have become completely mine, and I am yours. May our marriage last forever. | My husband, by the Earthmother, and the spirits of our Ancestors, I have become your wife. Whatever promises I gave you I have spoken with a pure heart. All the spirits are witnesses to this fact. I shall never deceive you, nor shall I disappoint. I shall love you forever. |