Rocks & Stones & Promises

Leanne Smith Leanne Smith Civil Celebrant

You’ve probably heard the saying “set in stone”. Traditionally it means something that is permanent or cannot be changed. This is where the Oathing Stone ritual probably originated, in Ancient Celtic traditions. According to this tradition, a promise or vow made while holding an Oathing Stone is the most powerful and binding of promises…. and if the words are said while standing by running water that’s believed to be even more powerful.

So, what is an Oathing Stone? There are no rules about size or what they look like, you can choose to have one specially engraved and decorated or find a rock you like in your own garden or on a beach walk, maybe decorate it or leave it in its natural state. Whatever shape and size you select, it becomes your Oathing Stone when you hold it in the palm of your hands while making your promises.

There’s another ritual with an Aussie twist that involves rocks and stones Originating in the convict era, the custom of throwing a rock or a pebble into the water after exchanging wedding vows was a tradition born of the times when there were often no jewellers close by and wedding rings were hard to find So, a couple who were getting married would each hold a pebble or a rock in their hands while they exchanged their marriage vows and then, together they would toss the pebbles into the nearest body of water, maybe a creek, a river, or the ocean. They knew the pebbles would lie together on the bed of that body of water for all time. Whatever tides, storms or floods raged above those pebbles would remain nestled underneath the water as a solid reminder of their promises. This ritual can also be adapted to include children and close family members where it symbolises the unity of a family.

If you are looking for ritual ideas for your wedding, you might like the thought of setting your promises in an Oathing Stone or simply chucking rocks in the water.

If you have any questions, get in touch any time

Leanne