THE BLESSING CORD

To celebrate the UNMAKING of THE WITNESS QUILT, as part of Louise Silk: A Patchwork Life, I offer the ritual of the RED STRING. The Red String offers protection. Red attracts and impedes negative forces, converting the darkness of judgement into the mercy of light. This creates a forcefield that diverts the evil eye.

In the traditional Buddhist practice a Lama ties a knot in the cord, blows a mantra into it, and makes a blessing. This allows the student to be in continual contact with the teacher. From the Jewish tradition, there is a tomb on the road where our biblical mother, Rachel, died giving birth to her second son, Benjamin. In her honor, a red string from this tomb is embedded with protective powers, cut into bracelet-sized lengths, and then given out. In Kabbalah, the Red String is worn on the left hand to convert negative forces from this physical point of entry, the left wrist, into good fortune, spiritual connection and protection. 

To create your Red String Barrel Knot Bracelet, set an intention that works for you. Is it to prevent a mishap? or identify a desire? or to protect against a fear? or to bestow a blessing? Be conscious. Be intentional. Be honest. Intention is your power for whatever you need in moment: protection, peace, abundance and/or grace. 

Here is video instruction for an Adjustable Red String Barrel Knot Bracelet:

Here are the written step-by-step directions: 

1. Use a 20” (50cm) of 2mm Red Satin Cord.
2. Take your length of cord and cross the tails over, creating a loop roughly the size of your fist.
3. Bring the right tail back on itself. Bring the tail down to create a loop. Take the tail underneath all the cords. Wrap it around all the cords three times. Bring the tail up through the loop. Pull firmly to form the knot allowing the cord to move through it. One knot completed.
4. Turn over the bracelet and repeat to create using the second tail to create a second knot. Tighten the knot, the two knots will move further apart as you tighten. Firm up both knots making sure the cord slides freely.
5. Trim off the excess. Carefully melt the end to itself, being sure not to catch the main cord.