My thanks to Heather, who is the first to come forward and share her beautiful beads and prayers. I welcome your own beads, as well! Please drop me an email and a photo and I will be delighted to post your creations. Isn’t this lovely? I love how each of the larger green beads is … Read more
Today is the last day of the month, and so is sacred to the great Triple Goddess, Hecate. Every month, we honor Her as Queen of the Night. She is the psychopomp, who shows the way to the land of the dead, the Lady of the crossroads. Although She is also Maiden and Mother, in … Read more
Scraps of Moon by Denise Levertov (1923-1997) from This Great Unknowing Scraps of moon bobbing discarded on broken water but sky-moon complete, transcending all violation Here she seems to be talking to herself about the shape of a life: Only Once All which, because it was flame and song and granted us joy, we thought … Read more
A strand of carefully chosen beads and charms can provide a group of symbolic objects to fill your mind and heart with associated images, memories and thoughts…[they] satisfy something very deep in the human psyche – the need to touch, handle, feel with our fingertips. — from Pagan Prayer Beads: Magic and Meditation with Pagan … Read more
The mantra becomes one’s staff of life and carries one through every ordeal. Each repetition has a new meaning, carrying you nearer and nearer to God. — Mahatma Gandhi Have you started collecting your beads yet? Assuming you have 1) your intention and 2) your prayer, including each part of it, it’s time to gather … Read more
In the traditional Chinese lunar calendar, this is Chung Yuan — the Moon of the Hungry Ghosts. Back on the New Moon, the Gates of the Underworld were flung open, allowing ghosts and spirits of the dead access to the world of the living. The spirits spend the month visiting their families, feasting and being … Read more
Correction does much, but encouragement does more. — Johan Wolfgang von Goethe (spoken like the true Virgo he was) The Sun enters the sign of Virgo today! Virgos believe that work is a requirement for a virtuous, worthwhile, and fulfilling life. But their name is often misunderstood, for Virgo is not about celibacy or virginity … Read more
Prayer is not an old woman’s idle amusement. Properly understood and applied, it is the most potent instrument of action. — Mahatma Gandhi In case you have never used a rosary, mala, or other prayer bead tool (I certainly had not when I first made mine), the idea is to construct a circle or line … Read more