Starting a new set of yearly beads is like holding my upcoming year in my hands, allowing me to recognize the potential and promise of the next twelve months. Asking loved ones to bless them for me is like asking a blessing on my upcoming year, increasing the potential and promise of that year exponentially.

Blessing Your Beads

Whenever I begin working with a new set of beads I like to personalize them by blessing them in a variety of ways. I find that my spiritual practice is deeper and more meaningful; blessing adds a weight and strength to them. Whether asking blessings of loved ones, from the natural world, or a more symbolic elemental blessing, blessing them adds to their symbolic power, connecting them more deeply to us and us more deeply to the world around us.

Asking a Blessing of Loved Ones

Story-Beads connect us to something bigger in our lives. Sometimes That Which Is Bigger is a reminder that I am not alone. Asking my loved ones to bless my beads, in effect “make a wish” for me, imbues the power of those wishes and that love into my beads. Every time I pick up that set I remember that everyone who blessed them has “got my back.” And when facing situations more difficult than everyday life – like hospital visits or times of stress – it becomes even more important to know that I have the love and support of all those people who blessed my beads.

I have found during my time as a non-denominational minister that most people long to speak from the heart. What are often missing from our daily lives are the time and space, as well as a sense of safety. When we find the courage to ask for a blessing we create that time and safe space. In asking to receive a blessing we are actually giving a precious gift in return – a chance for others to express the love in their hearts.

Remember though, that not everyone will be immediately comfortable speaking out loud but even the most tongue-tied can offer a silent blessing and the energy of their “mental wish” will leave its mark on your beads.

Asking a Blessing of Nature

Nature holds infinite blessings and infinite lessons that we sometimes miss, wrapped up in ourselves. By asking an aspect of Nature to bless our beads, we symbolically link our beads (and ourselves) to Nature. We let the Natural world know that we are willing to pay attention and open ourselves to the wisdom of Nature. When we choose an aspect of Nature to bless our beads we align ourselves with the symbolic attributes of that aspect from the grounding gift of Earth, to the feminine cycles of the moon, to the strength of a tree.

And all that is necessary to receive a blessing is to ask for it. Here are some suggestions to get you started:

The ocean – The sea is often referred to as the Great Mother. The tide, pulled by the moon, is associated with women’s cycles. The immensity of the ocean often lends a much needed sense of perspective. Dipping my beads in the salt water reminds me of the special connection I have to the beach that I walk to during my retreats.

The moon – The moon is a symbol of the feminine, symbolizing a women’s monthly menstrual cycle. The moon can teach about fullness and gratitude but it can also teach that there is a time for darkness and quiet, a time for letting go. Looking up at the moon reminds me that my “sisters” are never far away, and I know that they gaze at the same moon as I do.

The sun – The sun is a masculine symbol, an active driving force. Leaving your beads out on a sunny day with the intention of infusing then with the sun’s energy will symbolically lend them a sense of direction and action. The sun can also be warm and comforting.

Earth – Asking a blessing of the Earth, either by using dirt, laying on rocks or even using crystals, symbolically links you with all that the Earth symbolizes: grounding, centering, bountiful and supportive.

Trees – Like the Earth, trees offer a sense of grounding, symbolized by their deep roots that allow them to withstand life’s trials and tribulations. Hanging beads from a tree branch and asking for a blessing aligns them with the steadfastness that trees offer.

Places – I am lucky in that I have several locations that are sacred to me. There is Caumsett State Park, where I take my monthly retreats, and The Marsh House on Whidbey Island, just to name two. Where are your sacred places? What would asking for a blessing from them mean to you symbolically?

Other stuff – It was midwinter when I made my first set of beads. It seemed the right thing to do to ask for the snow’s blessing, if only because it was yet another aspect of the park where I take my retreats. Ask yourself what feels right and go with whatever answer comes up. In the days that followed my snow blessing I often found myself wondering what the snow symbolized and what lesson it had to teach. Remember to ask the same of whatever aspect of Nature you request a blessing from.

Asking an Elemental Blessing

In Nature-based religions it is believed that the natural world is made up of five elements: Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit. Each element symbolizes something different:

Air – Intellect.
To bless beads with Air, and imbue them with a sense of everything intellectual, smudge them with burning sage.

Fire – Passion and inspiration.
To bless beads with Fire and imbue them with a sense of passion and inspiration, light a candle by them. Please note: it is not recommended to put beads directly into any flame source.

Water – Emotions.
To bless beads with Water and imbue them with a sense of the emotional world, dip them in water: ocean water, ponds or lakes, flowing water, bath water, even tap water will serve in a pinch.

Earth – Grounding and Centering.
To bless beads with Earth and imbue them with a sense of grounding and support, use crystals, a bowl of dirt or sand, or bury them in the yard for a time – just remember where you put them!

Spirit – the Sacred
To bless your beads with Spirit and imbue them with a sense of the Divine, first decide what aspect of the Universal Power speaks most to you. Call on this aspect of divinity and ask for a blessing. If there is no aspect that you are comfortable with, try using neutral terminology such as a simple “May my beads be blessed.”

Choose one element to focus on a specific attribute or pick all four for a more balanced blessing. For a more formal blessing you can combine elements:

Air/Fire – Burn incense and pass the beads through the smoke. Incense is thought to carry prayers to heaven, so if you have requests of the Universe visualize and verbalize them as you bless your beads in the smoke.

Earth/Water – Add salt to water and sprinkle the mixture on your beads. This is a purifying act and works for people as well as it works for beads. Try sprinkling it over your own head for a purifying effect.

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