Author: TheWiseHedgewitch » Mon Oct 04, 2010 7:47 pm
By Bonnie (Bonnie) on Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - 07:40 pm:
We’ve talked about prayer beads from time to time and I just thought I’d add some little bits I’ve picked up from books and off the internet. The general idea is to recite a series of prayers, poems or personal mantras for each set of beads. The color of the beads can represent your intention in the same way that candle colors are used. The choice of prayers is up to you.
One of the most versatile patterns is based on the magical correspondences of the four-quarters of the Circle. For the design, use four large beads separated by seven smaller beads: OoooooooOoooooooOoooooooOooooooo You can tie them into a circle or leave them in a strand.
The same pattern has a variety of useful meditations:
The lunar cycle with the 4 large beads being the phases of the moon (new, waxing, full, waning) and 7 smaller beads as the 7 days of the week, with meditation on the magical associations of each phase & week day
The solstices/equinoxes and the 7 planetary astrological associations
4 Greater Sabbats of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltaine, & Lammas with meditation on the forces of Nature associated with each Sabbat or the mythology of the Lady and Her Consort in their Dance of Life.
4 Tarot suits: swords, staffs, cups and pentacles and reflection on their relationships
4 Archangels: Raphael, Michael, Gabriel and Ariel referenced in the Lesser Banishing Ritual of the Golden Dawn
4 directions: east, south, west, north with meditation on their associated qualities
4 elements: Air, fire, Water, Earth on the large beads, and meditation on their qualities in nature on the 7 beads between; you might recite something simple at the 4 large beads like “I am Air,” (or fire, water, earth), & on each of the 7 smaller beads say “air lifts me”, “fire powers me”, “water heals me”, and “earth nourishes me”. This is a simple way to get to know the elements.
4 dynamics of the Craft: to know, to will, to dare & to be silent with reflection on each of the 7 beads of that quarter
4 standard tools & meditation on their symbolism. There are variations on sets of tools at our discretion:
- wand, athame, cup, pentacle
- spear, sword, chalice, shield
- incense, burner, cup, offering bowl
- incense, flame, shell, stone
- smoke, bonfire, pool, stang
A variation on prayer beads is a prayer bowl or “spell bowl”. Replace the strand of beads with pebbles dropped into a bowl, in which each stone represents the intention for a need to be fulfilled, or thanks-giving for needs that have been met. Use ordinary garden pebbles or polished stones – rose quartz and green aventurine make a gentle combination; or choose stones/crystals that have properties associated with your intentions; or choose colors for a purpose such as green stones for healing, red stones for strength and courage, purple stones for mystical practices. A “prayer bowl” is a spell-bowl. You could use an abalone shell as a bowl, or a wooden bowl. I have a cut glass candle holder I use as a bowl. It sparkles beautifully in candle light, and it also holds the candle.
I have a personal quirk that I won’t leave the altar offering bowl or the Cup empty. When they are filled, they represent gratitude and prosperity; while if they were empty they would symbolize indifference & neediness. When the cup is not in use I keep a polished quartz pebble in it. The offering bowl is never empty – whether it’s filled with bread, herbs, oatmeal, rice, prayer-pebbles or bird seed, it symbolizes my thankfulness to the Great Lady for Her abundant gifts.