Prayer Beads?

[Violet Song jat Shariff]

So, I was wondering...

Does anyone here use prayer beads? Do you find them useful?

If you don't use prayer beads, why not? Do you think that they could potentially be a useful tool?

Do you use any other tool or device to enhance praying?  

[Morgandria]

Violet Song jat Shariff

So, I was wondering...

Does anyone here use prayer beads? Do you find them useful?

If you don't use prayer beads, why not? Do you think that they could potentially be a useful tool?

Do you use any other tool or device to enhance praying?

I do use prayer beads, sometimes. I have made Wiccan "rosaries" in the past that are like a portable circle, and I also make a shorter "Witches' ladder" prayer beads that can be used in a couple different ways.

Prayer beads are useful to me in that they're portable, and easy to use without being blatant. I find that having the beads in my hand, moving them around, is a very comforting, meditative thing - which is the same reason I bead in the first place. I can reach an altered state of mind easily with them, and they have their own unique energy that accumulates with use.

I personally consider a candle a prayer device, along with incense, and I use those fairly frequently as well.  

[o sunflower king]

surprised I haven't thought about it before, really.
Now I am interested!
What's a "witch's ladder," Morgandria?  

[Morgandria]

Jenny Artucio

surprised I haven't thought about it before, really.
Now I am interested!
What's a "witch's ladder," Morgandria?

Traditionally a witch's ladder is a protective amulet or spellworking that is a length of string or cord with various items (typically feathers) knotted into it at intervals. There is also a version of this that is forty knots or beads on a string that are made with a spell bound into them; it's then used like a set of prayer beads, but to repeat that spell over and ove rather than a prayer.

My witch's ladders are a little different. I have a picture and an explanation of mine here:
http://morgandria.deviantart.com/art/witch-s-ladder-water-74798406

I also am very very fond of Greek komboloi beads - Greek men often have them; they're worry beads, rather than prayer beads. Just a nifty, sometimes beautiful, toy to play with, or relax with.  

[Violet Song jat Shariff]

Hm, that sounds pretty handy! (the witch's ladder and the komboloi beads)  

[Zabi_baby]

Personally I like the idea of prayer beads. I find them quite helpful for grounding. Helps focus my mind anyway. However I know that some of my circle mates dont like the idea of them. Same with angels just too close to an old religion for them.  

[whiporwill-o]

we sell mala beads where i work, but i do not own any yet.

morg, i went to your link and your beads are beautiful 3nodding  

[GoddessAttuned]

I've never used prayer beads, its just a simple personal choice I find. I meditate and pray best when my hands are in my lap. Holding onto something I fear would make it hard for me to slip into a between state.

 

[raging-earth]

I use Catholic rosaries. One, because I was raised Roman Catholic and I have always had a fond love for them. Two, because all of my rosaries have been gifts from my grandmother, who I feel very close to spiritually. I have three rosaries that I use at different times. I have one made from pressed rose petals (a symbol of my patron saint, St. Therese) that I generally use in the spring. I use my wood rosary mostly in the late summer and fall. And then any other time I who my amethyst rosary.

...i'm drawing my own history.

 

[Violet Song jat Shariff]

Oh that's nifty ^_^

What kinds of prayers do you say on your rosaries? Do you have set, specific prayers or do you just think of them as you go?  

[Artistic Genocide]

I personally love my prayer beads. ^_^
I always have them on my person. I use the buddhist version of the prayer beads, but i was looking into the Greek komboloi beads. They're lovely.^_^
They just put me in the right frame of mind. so useful.^_^  

[o sunflower king]

Morgandria

Jenny Artucio

surprised I haven't thought about it before, really.
Now I am interested!
What's a "witch's ladder," Morgandria?

Traditionally a witch's ladder is a protective amulet or spellworking that is a length of string or cord with various items (typically feathers) knotted into it at intervals. There is also a version of this that is forty knots or beads on a string that are made with a spell bound into them; it's then used like a set of prayer beads, but to repeat that spell over and ove rather than a prayer.

My witch's ladders are a little different. I have a picture and an explanation of mine here:
http://morgandria.deviantart.com/art/witch-s-ladder-water-74798406

I also am very very fond of Greek komboloi beads - Greek men often have them; they're worry beads, rather than prayer beads. Just a nifty, sometimes beautiful, toy to play with, or relax with.

Oooooohh~ That's so beautiful! And a wonderful idea!  

[raging-earth]

Violet Song jat Shariff

Oh that's nifty ^_^

What kinds of prayers do you say on your rosaries? Do you have set, specific prayers or do you just think of them as you go?

I generally use them to help me meditate, by rotating the beads. Then, if a certain prayer comes to me I'll say it, but I usually don't say any actual traditional prayers. When I visit my grandmother (which I'm leaving next week to visit for two weeks yay!) I do the Roman Catholic book of hours with her throughout the day.