The Crafty Witch: Pagan Prayer Beads
Written by Cauldron Living staff writer Eevie Keys


* * *As I write this, I sit with my back to a thorn tree. *I breathe in the soft, twilight air. *There is true magic in this moment. *I was lead to this spot by an impish blue jay who teased me until I agreed to follow him -- off the beaten path of all travelers before me -- into the unknown. *Who knew I'd find this treasure of a moment?
* * *Perhaps I did.
* * *The thorn tree's energy is soft and kind; despite its rough exterior, here, below the sharp branches, the bark is smooth, ready to hold me up as I write of wonders.
* * *The wood of this tree reminds me of my wooden Prayer Beads, resting peaceably on my knee. *Soft, warm -- ever glowing, these wooden beads compliment their counterparts on the string, well worn with a prayerful touch; my string begs to be held.
* * *Here beneath the tree, with the forest itself as witness, I will set down this notebook and pen, sit cross-legged and lean against the friendly bark, string of beads in wondering hands, as I begin to pray with a loving heart to my Goddess. *
* * *I am deeply in love with my religion. *There is such beauty in each simple moment, such wonder in the magic of the universe. *For me, if I did not pray, if I did not speak to my Goddess, tell her of my gratitude and concerns, my wishes or perfect moments, I could not possibly contain myself. *Prayer is a deep release and deeper connection; no matter where I am, I may reach out and touch the Divine. *This is beautiful.
* * *I am constantly communicating with Deity, but my use of Prayer Beads is just as much of a symbolic act as a spiritual one.
* * *When in ritual, we create a sacred space that nothing may intrude upon. *We are setting aside that time, purposefully, to make magic. *Likewise, when we pick up our Prayer Beads, we are setting aside the mundane and embracing the Divine. *This simple metaphor has great power and can deepen your spirituality.
* * *Not everyone has an hour to set aside for ritual every day, but we aren't just "Sabbat Pagans," either (think "Sunday Christians" with a Goddess and more coffee added to the mix). *We strive to -- in this day and age -- have an appropriate balance of daily life and spiritual growth. *It's just not easy sometimes! *A set of Prayer Beads is simple and inexpensive to make, yet what is gained borders on priceless!
* * *A set of Pagan Prayer Beads is similar to a Rosary (indeed, in some circles they are known as the Witch's Rosary). *This project is perfect for customization. *I will give you a set pattern. *Feel free to follow or create your own! *Likewise, I will give you set prayers for each bead, but I will also include variations. *As always, your spiritual practices are as unique as you are. *Take what suits you from the following guidelines, but please make this your OWN set of Prayer Beads!


















Creating Your Own Witch's Rosary

* * *My set of Prayer Beads was created to remind me of the forest. *I knew that I wanted to have nine sets (3 x 3, number of the Divine Mother) of three beads for the Maiden, Mother and Crone and eight single beads in between the Goddess sets for Earth prayers.
* * *I purchased thin leather cord; a set of green, dark green and amber beads; a set of varying sized wooden beads and small silver beads for spacers.
* * *When stringing the beads, I kept this pattern in mind:

Three spacers
Earth bead (soft green bead)
Three spacers
Amber bead
Dark green bead
Small wooden bead
Large wooden bead
Small Wooden Bead
Dark green bead
Amber bead
Three spacers
Earth Bead, etc.

Some variations might include a simple large bead in place of the Goddess sets of three, or, even simpler, alternating different color beads. *When you think of a pattern you like, write it down before you begin. *It always helps to have a simple chart to work with to start. *
Depending on which deities you invoke, the colors will change. *For example, if you worship Brigid, your set of Prayer Beads would probably be made up of red, gold and white. *If you worship Diana, you would use blue and silver. *But please don't get carried away with "traditional" color meanings! *The colors themselves have deeper magical meanings, so choose your colors with intuition and heart.
Once you have your pattern and beads chosen, string the beads onto the cord. *As you place each bead onto the cord, say something that binds it to you. *A good chant to keep up the rhythm of the stringing is, *"Goddess come and bless this art, merry meet and merry part." *
Once the pattern and desired number of beads is strung, it's time to knot the cord. *Bring both loose ends together and tie a knot, double-knot it and triple-knot it, saying the chant firmly and with conviction for the final three times. *Your set of Prayer Beads is ready to be consecrated!


Consecrating your Beads!

A simple consecration ritual to dedicate this magical tool involves a white candle, sandalwood incense and no interruptions! *Sit comfortably with the candle in front of you -- the incense should be close but not distractingly so. *Place the string of beads open in a circle before you and set the candle in the center of the circle. *Notice what a perfect circle it forms. *It never ends. *It is the spiral, it is the sphere...it is part of the Goddess, just as you are. *Take some deep breaths and place your hands over the beads. *State your intention, words full of heart:

"Woven in an endless sphere,
These beads become a string of prayers,
Full of hope and dreams to be,
Goddess bless and please hear me."

























Prayers for your Beads

* * *Now individual prayers need to be assigned to the beads. *They can be as simple as a "Thank you" to a full-fledged recitation of the Charge of the Goddess. *My advice? *Keep it simple. *If it's too complicated and involves too much pageantry, it might not remain a daily practice, no matter how firmly you wish to include it. *
* * *For ideas, look at the many beautiful Pagan songs and chants that have been created over the years. *Take lines or couplets (two lines) from these songs to create your prayers -- or write your own!
* * *To get you started, here are the prayers I use on my set of forest beads.

Spacer beads:
"For She says: *All acts of love and pleasure are my ritual."

Earth bead (soft green bead):
"The Earth is our mother, we must take care of her --
Her sacred ground we walk upon with every breath we take."

Amber bead:
"Ancient Mother, I hear you calling,
Ancient Mother, I hear your song."

Dark green bead:
"We all come from the Goddess, and to her we shall return
Like a drop of rain, flowing to the ocean."

Small wooden bead (MAIDEN):
"Maiden, sister, lover, friend,
I am grateful without end
For all."

Large wooden bead (MOTHER):
"Mother mine, I have been blessed --
I thank you for all of this."

Small wooden bead (CRONE):
"Crone, wise one and dearest sage,
I thank you for all that I have
Or will."


Further Ideas

* * *If you absolutely do not have enough time to devote to this in a day, here's an idea that I've used in a pinch that has certainly helped me!
* * *Create a small set of prayer beads -- a string that's only long enough to be a bracelet. *Use a pattern and the appropriate beads, but make it in miniature. *Once tied, it certainly looks like a bracelet and could be used for such. *Consecrate and dedicate it as you normally would and wear it to work or school. *There are precious free moments in every day, even if it is among a large group of people. *Fingering the beads and saying your prayers silently does just as much good as in your own home or behind closed doors. *
























* * *Using prayer in your spiritual practice is always rewarding. *Experimenting with new ideas can only be positive! *Make your own set of prayer beads and listen to your heart. *Brightest blessings to you in each path's new turn!






"Eevie Keys is a saucy kitchen witch and a writer in Western New York. *
*Absolutely smitten, Eevie is engaged to the most beautiful woman in *
the world and enjoys planning their fabulous wedding- which should *
take place sometime in May 2007. *Eevie loves playing with her cats, *
writing poetry and generally being very witchy- in all the good ways. *
She also writes other magical goodies, which you can read by finding her link here."