Bast (Bastet) Prayer Bead Necklace in Carnelian: Egyptian Goddess of Love, Joy, Music

This set of Bast (Bastet) prayer beads in carnelian is a long loop of 42 beads, joined by an additional bead and a pendant representing the goddess, a cat. Bast is often represented in art as a cat, or as a woman with the head of a cat. It is made with 6mm red carnelian gemstone beads, separated by silver-toned metal spacer beads and glass seed beads to provide a comfortable transition from one bead to the next and to make the piece supple and easy to handle. Carnelian was a stone often used in ancient Egypt for jewelry and other items. The beads are approximately 26.5" (67.3cm) in length. They are designed to be used in prayer and contemplation, but can also decorate an altar or shrine, or adorn a statue if desired. With 42 beads on the loop, they are intended to be useful as well for meditation on the Negative Confessions or Declarations of Innocence, an enumeration of the principles of ma'at (truth and order) included in many Egyptian Books of the Dead. The beads can also be worn sl