Circles of sacred space

 Wow...11 days and counting until I circle Ric under the Chuppa. I am about to have a teen dream fulfilled. While other little girls dreamed of wearing princess gowns at huge weddings, I clearly was thinking about mermaids. But in my later adolescence....OK twenty-something-ish...when I finally thought about weddings, I knew that I wanted to stand under a simple tallit chuppa.

 
I have to admit, turquoise silk billowing in the wind near the shore comes in a close second. But for all the spiritual reasons, I wanted just a tallit held on four poles, simple and open on all sides.
The chuppa reminds me of a summer tent with the side rolled up, welcoming the wind and any guests that might wander by. It is a symbol of hospitality, a Jewish virtue, in the way that Abraham and Sarah were hospitable to strangers.

It is said that that Shechinah, the feminine emanation of G-d is under every Chuppa, gracing the ritual with her presence. Joining the Shechinah are all the parents and grand-parents and great-grand parents who have passed over and now descend to join the celebration. So clearly the sides need to be open to accommodate the crowd. And clearly my father will be present.

There is a custom of being married outside, so that the chuppa is open to the skies, symbolizing the couple's intention to have a relationship that walks a spiritual path. The chuppa is a statement that even though the marriage is between only two people, this household is a spiritual dwelling that is part of a larger community.

Once we are under the chuppa, I will walk clockwise around Ric seven times. This is a very old custom that represents the divine process of creation (seven days of creation). By circling the groom, the Kallah (me) creates sacred space for the marriage, one in which the bride and groom can protect each other. One in which each person can take responsibility to engage in a spiritual relationship with each other and with G-d. 

Then the betrothal ceremony begins. First we are betrothed and then married. Ric gives me a ring (did I mention he bought me a new one?) of solid metal with no stones or writing. The ring is another circle, another symbol of sacred space. Stones and words can deceive but a plain gold is a clear gift of value.

So sacred circles under sacred space, round and round, tying the couple closer and closer to each other and to a spiritual journey.