Topic: Witch's Rosary
LadyValkyrie37's photo
Tue 11/06/07 01:38 PM
Introduction:
If these beads sound familiar, it is because they have been borrowed from the Christian Rosary. And why not? Christians have always borrowed from Pagans when it comes to spirituality, so why not borrow back? Remember, all the Gods are One God.

The Rosary was invented in the Middle Ages as a devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Although the Church is quick to define Mary as simply "first among the saints," it is clear the common people from the first century CE onwards saw Mary as the continuation of the Queen of Heaven: Astarte in Palestine, or Isis in Egypt. It is fitting, then, to adapt a Marian devotion for honor to the Goddess, the Queen of Heaven. These beads honor the Goddess in her three-fold, or triple, nature as Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

Things You Will Need:
13 white 8mm beads for the Maiden
13 red 8mm beads for the Mother
13 black mm beads for the Crone
1 silver 10mm bead representing the Full Moon
52 silver spacer beads
(class "E" 6/0) representing the Moonlight.
Nylon thread: white or ecru, or color of choice

Directions:
You may begin and end stringing anywhere in the loop, but the tie-off is less visible in the midst of the black beads.
The silver Moon bead is separated from the White Maiden beads by four (4) silver spacer beads. Each white Maiden bead is followed by one silver spacer bead, but the thirteenth bead is followed by four (4) spacer beads. Then come the red Mother beads, each followed by one silver spacer, but the 13th bead is followed by four (4) spacers. Then come the black Crone beads, each followed by one silver bead, but the 13th is followed by four (4) spacers. And so we are back at the silver Moon bead. In other words, beads of the same color are separated by one spacer. The three sets of beads and the larger Moon bead are separated by four spacers. Thirteen (13) beads are used in each set to signify the thirteen months of the lunar year. The silver spacers represent moonlight issuing from the Full Moon bead throughout the life cycle of Maiden, Mother, Crone. Prayers are said on each bead, while meditating on the mysteries of the Triple Goddess, and the experience of the human life cycle. Men may wish to make a devotion to the Horned God, and honor the life cycle of Youth, Father, and Sage.


Prayers For Your Witch's Rosary:

On the silver Moon Bead say:
Blessed Mother, come to me,
and cast your lovely, silver light.
Uncloud your face that I may see
unveiled, its shining in the night.
Triple Goddess, Blessed Be,
and Merry Meet, my soul's delight!
On the space say:
I bind unto my self today the
Fertility of the Maiden.

Meditate of the Presence of the Maiden On each Maiden Bead say:
Maiden daughter, sister, lover,
White-light, Night-light, love's embrace;
Seeking love, we find each other
By the radiance of your face.

On the space say:
I bind unto myself today the
Power of the Mother.

Meditate on the Presence of the Mother On each Mother Bead say:
Mother of all, radiant, beaming,
Full and heavy womb with expectation bright;
Be present here, full moonlight gleaming,
And bless your child with truth and light.

On the space say:
I bind unto myself today the
Wisdom of the Crone.

Meditate on the Presence of the Crone
On each Crone Bead say:
Crone now stands in moonlight gleaming,
Starlit night and silver hair;
Peace and wisdom from you streaming,
Goddess, keeper of our care.
On the space say:

I bind unto myself today the
Fertility, Power, and Wisdom of the Goddess.

On the silver Moon Bead conclude:
Blessed Mother, stay by me,
and cast your lovely, silver light.
Uncloud your face that I may see
unveiled, its shining in the night.
Triple Goddess, Blessed Be,
and Merry Meet, my soul's delight!
So Mote it be!



Another Version:


The Witch Rosary

Made in the form of a necklace or belt, the Witch Rosary is a consecrated Amulet that serves a triple function.

It gives Amuletic power to the wearer.

It serves as a 'reminder' in the performance of certain Spells, in the same manner as Arabic or Christian rosaries.

It contains Stones that can be removed and used singly in magic operations.

The Witch Rosary may be made in two forms:

1) As a string of beads, each of which is a Stone with certain magical properties, and which may be removed from their settings at will (this type is rather expensive).

2) Or in the form of a belt or necklace with leather pouches, each of which contains one of the Stones. The Witch Rosary ends in an Ankh, worn as a pendant if it is a necklace or worn as a buckle if it is a belt.


The components of a Witch Rosary are:

1) Moonstone (The Moon)
2) Hematite (Fire)
3) Crystal Quartz (Air)
4) Earth Stone (Earth)
5) Lapis Lazuli (Water)
6) Amber (Sun)
7) Birthstone (Stars)
8) Ankh, as pendant or buckle


Substitutions may be made as follows:

1) Opal, Mother of Pearl
2) Flame Agate
3) Crystal
4) Emerald
5) Blue Amethyst
6) Chrysolite
7) Gem with a Natural Star
8) No substitute for the Ankh


If worn as a necklace, the stones may be separated by knots in the cord, or there may be three silver beads between each stone.

If it is worn as a belt, there may be three wooden beads between each of the leather pouches that holds a stone;
these wooden beads may in turn be separated by knots in the leather cord (usually), if a cord is used.

josh3110's photo
Wed 11/07/07 10:00 PM
I don't mind that your barrowing from the Catholic faith because they're not christians anyway I was even told that by an ex-catholic who was yelled at by her priest for calling herself Christian...lol laugh

Redykeulous's photo
Wed 11/07/07 10:14 PM
ooohhhh Josh - don't let lonleywalker hear you say that.

It's ok Miguel, I think you're a Christian, and one the kindest ones I know.

Redykeulous's photo
Wed 11/07/07 10:18 PM
Wow, LadyV - this really get deep. In that I mean, I had no idea how traditional your belief could be. How old is all this?

I admit I'm ignorant, so don't laugh, but are there any ancient manuscripts, that support a long-time following of your beliefs?

Is there any one person or group to which documentation is attributed to?

Thanks for taking the time to share all this. Totally new stuff to me.







LadyValkyrie37's photo
Thu 11/08/07 05:54 AM
Redykeulous, I can only speak for myself and not anyone else who may consider themselves a Christopagan, Christian Witch, or Christian Wiccan. Personally I read and study texts such as the Holy Bible, The Lost Books of the Bible, The Pistis Sophia, and The Nag Hammadi Library. I see these texts as spiritual books that teach spiritual lessons and are not to be thought of as historical texts. I take from such texts what feel is good for me in my spiritual journey and I leave what I feel is not good for me. Of course I'm ridiculed by many Christians because of this. They feel the Holy Bible is the very word of God and that it has to be taken in it's entirity not just bits and peices. I say to them, walk your spiritual journey your way and I'll walk mine my way.

Donnar's photo
Fri 11/09/07 03:35 PM
Thanks LadyV, very interesting!

I am Catholic and Catholics are Christians. No if ands or buts about it.

josh3110's photo
Fri 11/09/07 10:22 PM
What I said was mainly a Joke because of what happend to my friend Donnar, Some Catholics are and then there are some who like most Christians just Go to church and think they'll be fine because they go to church.

A Short Poem: the contention of Some Christians
Tis a fickle people twisted endevers among believers the power of Being content thus is the likely end of all that is and would be good, for shame on those who are content with they're life and do not push for perfection.

I appologise for here and taking up your thread Lady I only meant to post the joke as it seemed an oppertune time and I found my friends story kind of funny.
Here's a flower for my mistake. flowerforyou

steelangel's photo
Wed 11/14/07 03:54 PM
Blessed be.

ravensong's photo
Sun 11/18/07 12:10 AM
flowerforyou Merry Meet Lady V .
This is a wonderful post . Would it be ok if I copy your instructions to post on my website ? If you'd like a link to my site email ,me .
I've made prayer/spell beads before . Mine are silver and ivory they work well for me .
By the way do your beads need to be cleansed after use ???
Be Blessed Ravensong

LadyValkyrie37's photo
Sun 11/18/07 08:27 PM
Ravensong, do with what I've posted as you will for I didn't write it. It was passed down to me years ago by a fellow Pagan via email. I have a copy of it in my own BOS as well as a copy of it on my hard drive.


As for the cleansing...

I do have my own Witch's Rosary that are made of crystals, semiprecious gemstones, and silver. I also make my own everyday beaded jewelry from crystal, semiprecious gemstone beads, and silver findings. I collect crystals and gemstones in gemeral. Sometimes walking into my home reminds one of walking into the Tuscon, Arizona Crystal & Gemstone Show. lol So I cleanse all my crystals and gemstones in my home on a regular basis, which includes the necklaces I've made and my prayer beads. After all they are made of crystals and gemstones which naturally absorb negative energies and need to be cleansed and recharged every once in a while. My cleansing method of choice is smudging using sage, cedar, & lavender.