The Transcendental Journey of Bead Making at Williamson Art Gallery

3 Aug 2023

On a picturesque Friday morning, we gathered at the Williamson Art Gallery for an event that was anything but ordinary. Aptly named "Seasons of the Heart," the workshop was an exploration of the contemplative nature of Prayer Beads and was gracefully facilitated by our guide for the day, Aileen.

Aileen introduced us to the spiritual world of prayer beads, a significant aspect of various religious practices, including Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, and Paganism. She led us through the labyrinth of history associated with these beads, each one possessing a story, a lesson, a bit of the past.

With a newfound understanding of these tokens of faith, we embarked on the creative journey of crafting our own unique prayer beads. I personally opted for the Pagan Feminine Moon approach, symbolizing a profound connection to nature and feminine energy. My creation - which you can see in the image below - comprised a sequence of white, red, and black beads, punctuated by mesmerizing Tiger Eye Stones and a Crescent Moon. In total, my prayer beads displayed twelve each of white, red, and black beads, three Tiger Eye Stones, and a Crescent Moon, each representing a different facet of the Pagan Feminine Moon approach.

Crafting these beads was not just an exercise in patience but also a test of precision. Threading the fishing line through the minuscule holes of the beads required a keen eye, and there were moments of amusing chase around the gallery when a bead decided to make a run for it!

We were a group of eight, each immersed in the meditative process of making our own 'Unitarian Prayer Beads.' Each bead we strung held a reflection of our unique understanding and perception of the world, shaped by the rich history lessons we had absorbed.

Time seemed to fly as we sat there in the serene ambiance of the gallery, our hands busy, our minds tranquil. This journey of crafting prayer beads was not just about creating a physical artifact; it was a voyage of introspection, a dialogue between the heart and the hands, a connection with the divine.