If you read my previous post you will see that I did not use the darker Picture Jasper beads for markers. I had ordered some Sea Jasper beads that were taking a long time to arrive and I was impatient to make the prayer beads. However, these turned up the day before I had set aside for assembling, and when I saw them and handled them, I knew that they were the ones I needed to use.

For information, the 3 marker beads are 10mm Sea Jasper, polished. And the 38 smaller beads are 6mm creamy ceramic, glazed. The thread is No2 gold tone Silk.

I had intended to use three strands of silk in gold and ivory, with the plan of knotting between beads to limit the movement and wear on the thread.

However the holes drilled in the markers were so narrow that it could only cope with 2 strands comfortably. The ceramic beads contrarily have very large holes, so knots between them would be too small to stop any movement.

Because of this I made the structural decision to hold the markers by passing the thread both through and around the outside of the marker bead to hold it’s relative position. Then leave the ceramic spacers to move loosely between the marker beads. I deliberately left a silk tail at the end of tying off so I could easily see and feel where the start/end of the circle.

After completing, I did an intentional cleansing ritual that I do for all crystals and stones new to me. This involves cupping them in my hands under running water, and visualising brilliant gold and white light from the divine Source flowing over and through them. I also use what ever words come to mind to acknowledge they are a part of the earth mother, and welcome them to their new home.

When they were dry I laid them on my prayer table with a lit candle, and asked that they be blessed for their sacred purpose.

It was a very special moment to use them for the first time as I spoke the prayers, feeding the beads through one at a time for each line of each prayer.

When not being carried I will keep them in the pouch in the drawer below my prayer table.