I came across this explanation of the Christian notion of the mystical marriage or "spiritual espousal" as it's also known. It seems to have been entered into by women who then attained recognition as Saints.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/09703a.htm

What I'm curious about is whether members think there are parallels between this, visitations from the Incubus, and the "ultimate" connection with the God in Pagan faiths.


(Maybe this isn't the right forum...? )

In Vodou it's possible to marry one or more of the Loa, and in fact ther are probably more people who've undergone a wedding to the spirits than there are who have initiated into the priesthood.

This marriage can be for a number of reasons - often it's to form a closer connection to that particular spirit, or it's done in thanks for help given on a particular issue. Some Loa are known to propose to certain members of the congregation when they turn up in possession at a ceremony - Erzulie Freda, the Loa of love, wealth and beauty will often suggestively stroke the ring finger of a man who catches her eye! Ogoun the spirit of war, iron and politics is also known to propose to his female servitors.

Marriage to the spirits beings many benefits, but it's a huge responsility and it will last for the rest of your life. There's no divorce from the Loa!

When you marry a spirit you're expected to sleep alone on the sacred day of that particular Loa, in a bed draped in their colours. Freda will often demand a whole room to be dedicated to her as her bridal chamber. On that night the spirit will visit their spouse in dreams - sometimes very erotic ones - and offer advice, blessings, guidance or maybe even instructions for spellwork.

Here's a lovely account of the wedding ceremony for a Maryaj Loa of Erzulie Freda: http://vodou.faithweb.com/maryaj.html

When a Vodouisant considers a marriage to one spirit, they're often advised by a Houngan or Mambo to marry another one or two Loa as well in order to balance their energies. Husbands of Erzulie Freda will also marry Freda's fiery and self-sufficient rival Erzulie Dantor in order to keep peace in their own spiritual lives, and vice versa. Marry only one and the other may become jealous and cause trouble in the man's life.

By the same token, women who marry Ogoun are advised to also marry Damballah in order to cool the martial, passionate nature of the warrior spirit, and also Zaka, the Loa of agriculture in order to ground the energies raised.

ultimate connection in witchcraft, yup, not God though
and alchemy

but incubus/succubus is more human in origin in my experience!

I believe you can be bonded (or married) to a fylgjakona or guardian spirit as well. I'm fairly certain I remember reading in some sagas where this was the case but I'm buggered if I can remember which ones. This marriage would last until death.

I was brought up RC, and taught that when nuns entered a convent, they became "Brides of Christ". They even have a ceremony when they take their vows, that resembles a wedding. The girl wears a bridle dress and veil, before bing robed in her convent habit.

Hence it's called 'taking the veil'.

Hmm. Hah.

In a very similar way to what Crow's talking about, but outside of the Vodoun tradition, I was married to a spirit in my mid teens. Also to an ancestral/guardian spirit after a regression - it's a long story. Both of them. I'm usually willing to discuss anything personal on here but this is actually very personal. Anyway, it really does/did make a tremendous difference to magical working and the like. I went through a period of tremendous power in what I did but you have to make a few sacrifices too - 'forsaking all others' in some circumstances. It's a useful ceremony but the change in constructed reality towards the mythosphere you need to undertake it is a real leap into the wyrd.

I recommend it, just make sure you find yourself a suitable husband/wife

PS: any kids you have will change the world - guaranteed