h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I spent a pleasant few hours shopping for beads tonight. I needed some for my spiritual growth group - we are making prayer beads tomorrow night. Sort of like a Unitarian "rosary," minus the cross. I found some multicolored pony beads I liked, then put those back and got some large glass beads with purple centers, then put those back and got some smaller blue and turquoise glass beads. Very pretty indeed. I also got some gold alphabet beads, so I can spell out words like "peace", and some little sun and moon gold charms. Oh, and I got a small crystal to put on it too. It's going to wind up so beautiful - we are stringing them together in class tomorrow. I'm curious to see what kinds of beads everyone else brings.

So will you send me a photo of the finished product?

What happened to the picture of the sun?

I am fed-up of h2g2, but lurk to check on my friends and find myself wanting to reply!

So...I'm fascinated...what's a spiritual growth group?

Hi Gradient, the Spiritual Growth Group is a little sort of class that meets to discuss spirituality once a month. We have talked about synchronicy in our lives, about different kinds of meditation, and different animal totems. We have also done some tarot readings. It is a very open minded group; we meet at our Unitarian Church.

To me this is also quite interesting, Ellen! Myself I would describe myself as spiritual and religious but not adhering to any particular organized religion. Primarily, I believe God exists, but not that God is male or female. I also believe that our souls are immortal, and I strongly suspect that there happens a sort of reincarnation where our souls go on, over the course of many different lives.

Wow.

Tarot readings at a church? That is open minded! I've had christians call me a devil worshipper for that kind of behaviour. This sounds like a great thing!

Oh, as for synchronicities...have you noticed how often the number 23 crops up in prominent places? Go look.

For example...
42, the ultimate answer, in numerological terms adds up to 6.
Six is twice three. 23.

23 is a deeply significant number.

I'm definitely going to look into the Unitarian church too. I think I want to know more about these folks.

Ellen, I am having a major deja vu about hearing or talking to someone about a Unitarian Rosary. Maybe it was you some where else on h2g2? Or was I talking to someone I know in RL? I don't know.

It must have been me, HBJ! How many bead making Unitarians could h2g2 possibly have? I hang out a lot on Terri's journal, the eyes thread -- maybe I mentioned it there.

Was watching a program about Princess Diana tonight - what a short and tragic life she lived.

It must have been you. How did it turn out anyways?

Diana died on my birthday, I think.

That's an odd coincidence, that she died on your birthday. Between her bulemia, the press, and the infidelity in her marriage, her life sounds like it was pure hell.

The beads turned out really beautiful. Funny thing was, I thought I had lost them, and made a second strand - then found the first set. So I am going to give the second strand to a UU friend of mine. It took a long time to string all of them, but it was worth it, they turned out nice. Did I describe the beads yet? All shades of turquoise and blue, with gold alphabet beads. Plus a crystal and a little white frog.

JEllen

That sounds really pretty. I've done some beading - bracelets - don't have the patience for anything longer. I use and love that combo of colors you describe. I haven't done it in a few months though. I should do some more for summer. I consign them at a local pagan store. Gotta sleep now. G'night.

Hi JEllen, your group does sound very interesting indeed. What sort of people go, all sorts of religious backgrounds? I am intrigued by these beads I would love to see them, if you ever decide to take a photo!

Me too!

I have a kit for making necklaces etc, but i rarely use them for the purpose intended, i just save them in case i want to use them in my cheese-boxes. i do love looking at them though, i remember as a child going through my Grandma's bead & button box, absolutely fascinated.

When i was in the middle East, i loved looking at all the different "worry beads" that Arab men continually play with. They are rather like a small rosary & serve much the same function. i inherited my dad's rosary, but have no idea what happened to it, all the moving around; i also inherited his oil paints, but i was too young to appreciate them & wasted them, i would love to have them now. At least it seems he was a spiritual & artistic person; i bet i would have liked him.

Your group sounds great! Yes, very open-minded to be discussing other types of spirituality; a good sign indeed.

Terri

Yes Kaz, the group, like the church as a whole, come from all different backgrounds - some christian, some pagan, some buddhist. Everyone has been very friendly.

Next time a shoot a roll of film I will try to remember to get a shot of the beads for you.

Hi Terri.

JEllen

Ellen and if you take a picture of the beads and send it to Kaz, could you please send it to me as well 'cause you know I'm interested in all your artistic stuff!

Thanks JEllen!