Prayer beads have been used for centuries to count out prayers and to serve as a repository of spiritual power, comfort, and protection. In Wicca, and in other Pagan traditions, there is no reason why we can’t use prayer beads as a meditative aid if we feel called to do so. They are a cross-cultural concept.
Because of my background, when I delved into the world of Pagan prayer beads, I initially wanted something that was very Rosary-like in form and function. But I felt like that was cheating or appropriating somehow. After a few failed experiments with other designs, I fell back to my first instinct and looked at the Catholic five-decade Rosary for inspiration. The Rosary has five ten-bead series divided by a single larger or capped bead. It features a centerpiece of the Blessed Virgin Mary or another saint as well as a crucifix showing the central figure of Christian faith, Jesus Christ. Some Rosaries have a medal of a patron saint attached to it as well.
Eventually, I decided to convert a Catholic Rosary to a set of prayer beads that was meaningful to me. I chose one made of tiger’s eye for protection and to give power to my prayers. Instead of five ten-bead sections, I created four thirteen-bead sections. Instead of five beads between the centerpiece and the focal bead, I left only one. I managed to do the conversion with just a few beads left over. For the focal stone, replacing the crucifix, I chose the Venus of Willendorf. I kept the centerpiece as Madonna and Child (though it was difficult to find one that didn’t have a Marian icon on the back) and added a Chartres labyrinth bead as a medal hanging from the centerpiece.
I like the concept of thirteen-bead sections because thirteen is the number of the witch and the coven. Also, if you count one and skip one, you can shorten the section to seven, which is a number of wisdom and magick. This allows for some flexibility in the length of prayers or meditations. There are four sections to represent the four elements (air, fire, water, and earth) and the four invocations made in my tradition’s circle (ancestors, familiar spirits, God, and Goddess). You can make one circuit to focus on either set of powers or two circuits to focus on both.
I primarily use my prayer beads as a focus object. I hold them in my hands or hang them around my neck while I do prayers, meditations, or intuitive work. Because I made the beads and put thought into the symbolism behind them, that power is built into the beads and is available to me.
I also use my prayer beads as a meditative journey modeled on the labyrinth. Starting with the Goddess bead, I set my intention for the meditation. Then, I make two circuits of the beads, focusing each section on an element or spirit and asking for their blessings. When I reach the end of the beads, I touch the labyrinth medal and meditate on my chosen focus. Finally, I touch the Goddess bead again, emerging from the meditation transformed.