The use of beads can be a contemplative and magical practice in many magical traditions and religious approaches. Of course, the Catholic use of the rosary is the best-known example of this tradition. Each bead on a rosary represents a prayer, which is counted in a specific order. A bead or knot on a prayer bead represents each of the Psalms, and some sects of Judaism have utilized them for many years.
Prayer Beads from All Over the World
If you’re a Pagan, you don’t need prayer beads that represent Psalms or other distinctly Judeo-Christian beliefs. However, Christianity does not have a monopoly on religion, and many Pagans find the notion of ritualized prayer appealing. You may make a set of prayer beads with different themes and use them in rituals to reflect your Pagan views and ideology.
Prayer beads are used in many faiths across the world. Malas are strands of beads utilized in Buddhist and Hindu belief systems. Typically holding 108 beads, each one represents our mortal wants. Muslims frequently utilize a misbaah as a counting instrument when chanting the names of God in prayer. The larger ones have 99 beads, while the smaller ones only have 33.
Let’s have a look at two distinct kinds of Pagan prayer beads. The first is a devotional set that respects the elements, changing seasons, and moon phases. The second pays homage to the deities of your faith.
Prayer Breads for Devotion
Tools for the craft:
- Eight beads represent the eight Pagan Sabbats
- Thirteen beads represent the lunar months
- Beads symbolize the elements – earth, air, fire, and water
- Spacer beads in the color of your choice
- Beading wire or string
Sort your beads and arrange them in a way that appeals to you. You might want to experiment with other patterns and designs to find which one feels perfect for you.
The silver beads symbolize the lunar months, the purple beads represent the eight sabbats, and instead of four beads for the cardinal elements, it has three distinct beads indicating the realms of earth, sea, and sky, which are respected in many Celtic ways.
Once your beads are properly placed, string them on the beading wire and tie them tightly. Assign a prayer or brief devotional to each bead before using them in the ceremony. Recite the prayers as you count them.
Prayer Beads for God or Goddess
Tools for the craft:
- Beads in the colors of your tradition’s deity or deities
- Beads that represent some of the deity’s qualities
- Colorful spacer beads of your choosing
- String or beading wire
Sort your beads and arrange them in a way that appeals to you. You might want to experiment with other patterns and designs to find which one feels perfect for you.
Once your beads are properly placed, string them on the beading wire and tie them tightly. Assign a prayer or brief devotional to each bead before using them in the ceremony. Recite the prayers as you count them.
Other Prayer Bead Ideas:
- Chakra beads: combine the seven chakra colors into a prayer bead strand and use it in healing meditations.
- Ancestor beads: A variety of beads can be used to represent your family’s ancestry and origins. Use them in ceremonies honoring your ancestors and relatives.
- Triple goddess beads: These beads mix three distinct hues to represent the goddess’s maiden, mother, and crone aspects, which are common in Wiccan traditions.
- Spellwork beads: Consider the concepts utilized in the Witch’s Ladder for spellwork and incorporate them into a bead strand.
