Making and Using Prayer Beads

Several different cultures and religions have versions of prayer beads that are unique to their faiths, and which play a significant role in prayer and other spiritual acts within these religions and cultures. These are, at their core, collections of beads strung together, and which are meant as tools to aid in the focus of meditation or prayer.

The direct, basic, foundational concept of making and using beads to pray cannot be appropriated. In that regard, it is fine for a Pagan practitioner to make and use prayer beads within their own practices, for their own purposes. However, specific types of prayer beads and their formats certainly can be appropriated, and those who delve into the realm of prayer beads should be careful not to use the formats of other groups and Religions because of this, without careful consideration to their own traditions and proper synthesis and syncretization.

One of the most common styles of prayer beads which crop up dedicated to Pagan Entities are Dominican style Rosaries- though occasionally Anglican style Rosaries are also used instead. And while they are certainly a type of prayer bead, they are only one type. More specifically, they are one which belongs to a singular set of Christian faiths; Dominican Rosaries are used to recite specifically associated prayers of Catholicism, and Anglican Rosaries are used to recite the prayers of the Episcopal and Anglican faiths.

In fact, each type of already existing cultural and religious format for prayer beads has a number of unique things about them that cannot be easily adapted towards other traditions; things such as specific bead counts, specific prayers they are used for, specific formats for the beading, specific symbolism, and often even their own unique names for their particular combination of these things. Each of which is derived from sacred numbers, holy texts, elevated figures, and other elements of the culture and religion that produced them. And these things cannot simply be strippd of their context or meaning and assigned new ones from a different tradition.

Because of this, co-opting them for Pagan use and Entities is ultimately inappropriate. Nor is it appropriate to call your random string of prayer beads by any of their names, especially when they do not follow their appropriate formats. In other words: Not only should these items not be co-opted by people of Pagan faith, but their titles- like Xi Shu, Juzu, (Japa) Mala, Misbaha, Tasbih, Komboloi, Rosary, and so on- are not often words that can be conflated with and used interchangeably with one another, nor applied to anything other than items which follow their specific formats.

At theri core, though, Prayer Beads are simply a string of beads following a certain spiritually significant format, which is used in the context of religious prayer or meditation. It is, therefore, relatively simple to produce your own set of prayer beads with your own spiritually or religiously significant symbolism, while easily avoiding pre-existing formats that belong to other religious groups. A Kemetic, for instance, may choose to use the concept of the 72 Negative Confessions as a foundation for their Prayer Beads- while an Irish Reconstructionist may choose to work with the theme of Triplication so prominent in Irish mythology, especially as it pertains to the elemental trinity of Land, Sea, and Sky; religion and its mythology and folklore is rife with symbolism that, when we open ourselves to it, makes it very easy to create our own prayer beads.

The use of prayer beads themselves, like all spiritual practices, taps into deep mysteries that unfold with time. While the beads and their accompanying formulas keep the lower faculties occupied and integrate our external senses into our prayer, our mind is left freer to attend to its own level of reality. Here, there are mysteries to be pondered and experiences to be had, moments of enlightenment and touches of the divine. Once you have created a set of Prayer Beads for yourself, there are so many ways in which you can use them for present-moment practice. And just as the act of touching each bead happens in succession, so too is there an inherent progression, or evolution, to one’s experience of prayer beads.

1. Beginning the Day

Each morning when you wake, reach for your prayer beads, let the texture awake your fingers, and allow this vitality to permeate your entire body. Now you are ready to set your intentions for the day. Later, as you make your way through your day, touching the beads will return you to your initial intentions.

2. Walking In The Present Moment

As you move from one place to another during the day, use these moments as a time to acknowledge the transition between tasks. Bring your beads into the palm of your hand, and as you feel their texture, let that be a reminder to feel your feet on the floor and take a breath. Focus your mind on the physical activities of walking and breathing. Bring yourself into the present.

3. Grounding Practice

During important conversations or even thinking about things by ourselves, we can find ourselves getting caught up in “what was” and “what if”. You can use your beads to ground you when you find yourself worrying about the past or the future. When things get difficult take up your beads and allow their pleasing weight to bring you into the present moment. By remaining grounded in the present, you will be more open to listening and accepting life as it is, rather than you wish it to be.

3. Ending Your Day

When you are in bed and ready for sleep, pick up your beads and let their texture resonate in your body. As you rediscover each bead passing through your fingers, let yourself feel grateful for your day. It’s also important to recognize the pain we might have caused or experienced. By acknowledging the truth of who we are, we can change and grow.

4. Gaining Strength From Your Roots

You may make prayer beads that integrate family heirlooms and keepsakes. While all of these practices can be done using any prayer beads, this one is specifically designed to be done with family beads. Hold the beads in your hands, and as you move through them, recall the particular energies and strengths of the person each amulet represents. Let the beads remind you that you are not alone, and that your ancestors are with you at all times.