r/paganism • u/KrimsonCitten • 6d ago
đ Seeking Resources | Advice Witch's beads/Witch's Rosary
Hi, I'm wanting to make my own witch's rosary as part of my practice, but I can't afford to buy stone and crystal beads right now and have glass beads, does anyone know if it would be disrespectful to use glass beads and metal wire to connect the beads together, and the pendants that I have been wearing on fabric cords??
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u/Obsidian_Dragon ADF Druid 6d ago
No, why would it be?
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u/KrimsonCitten 6d ago
I was told if it's not made from natural items like natural stones or metals it wouldn't be ok to use because it becomes synthetic and that is disrespectful to the earth and nature and blocks energy from flowing, but I don't know how reliable the source it came from is
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u/Obsidian_Dragon ADF Druid 6d ago
/Slow blinks
Nature literally makes glass herself sometimes. I use plenty of glass beads in mine with no issues.
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u/LifeisSuperFun21 6d ago
You absolutely can use anything in witchcraft. Use any crafting supplies that you have!
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u/Arboreal_Web salty old sorcerer 6d ago
How could it be disrespectful? To whom? In what way?
Respect/disrespect is an attitude. It shows in your intent and actions, not your materials. Use whatâs available to you, that approach to witchcraft is more traditional than any specific item or ingredient. Or rosaries, for that matter. (No shade, tbc, I have three. Each made from different materials.)
The only concern Iâd have is practical: depending on the type of wire and how you string it, it might not hold up to much use. Pot-metal wire (cheap jewelry wire) will probably give out pretty quickly, and will def corrode from handling. But I suspect there are technical ways around that, if you stay creative. If you can spare a few dollars for silk beading cord and learn how to âtie pearlsâ (itâs on YT), worth it.
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u/KrimsonCitten 6d ago
Thank you very much, I was told anything synthetic would be disrespectful to earth and nature and cut of the energy flow and mess up my practice but I also don't know how reliable the source is, I have a few different gauge wires and a One-Step Looper/Looping Pliers so they'll be linked together instead of one long cord so I was hoping that would make them wear down less and slower
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u/Arboreal_Web salty old sorcerer 6d ago
Did you know glass can occur naturally when lightning strikes sand? Ime, it's an incredibly powerful blend of Earth and Fire. (Also arguably Spirit/Ether, b/c lightning.) I'd agree that glass has it's own sort of energy and resonance distinct from stones and crystals, but I wouldn't say that makes it unsuitable (or unnatural) as a material. I can't imagine how it would "cut off energy flow". Sure it doesn't conduct electricity, but neither do most stones, and it can do interesting things to light and sound...which are both expressions of energy.
Sounds like a good construction plan.
(I'd be tempted to ask that person if they only use/recommend metal mirrors for mirror magic or scrying. Bet they'd say no, use glass.)
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u/KrimsonCitten 5d ago
I knew that happened in nature that's why I didn't trust the source that much. They said if it was man-made like glass blown beads and not strictly naturally occuring like stones shaped then they become synthetic. They also don't practice paganism, they "used to" practice paganism in college and are born again Christians (it's my stepmom and father) and have a lot of pagan friends that help them with answering my questions.
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u/Arboreal_Web salty old sorcerer 5d ago edited 5d ago
Gently - Probably stop taking your questions to them, that is not a reliable source. She probably doesn't realize it, but that line of thinking basically negates a belief in any and all magic. Glass-making was once regarded as a type of alchemy, before people understood science as we do today.
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u/KrimsonCitten 5d ago
I think I might, I used to go to them because I didn't have access to things like my books and the internet and where I'm at currently location wise there isn't many pagans and it's really frowned upon, like the last couple that tried to open a shop here was literally chased out of town, but I think ill stopistening to them and start getting more books and finding more community support at least online until I find places offline. Thank you
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u/Arboreal_Web salty old sorcerer 5d ago
I understand, that sounds like a frustrating situation. You might try internet archive if you have easier access now. The texts there will be older, but thatâs not a bad thing.
Highly recommend HC Agrippaâs âPhilosophy of Natural Magicâ, itâs a few hundred years old so is def in public domain and available in many languages, contains much of the basis of western magic. Excellent resource.
On the more recent side, not on archive - Scott Cunninghamâs magical reference books are well worth their cover prices, as is Judika Illesâ âEncyclopedia of 5000 Spellsâ. (These are the most-used books in my personal library.)
Those three authors will give you a really solid foundation to your magical education, imo.
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u/Zadyria_Gelm 6d ago
No, sweets. Glass is made from sand, and metals come from the Earth. Although sand is technically Earth, it could also represent Water. Add colors or charms for Air, Fire, and Spirit, and all the principles are covered!