Goddess Prayer Beads

If these beads sound familiar, it is because they have been borrowed from the Christian Rosary. The Rosary was invented in the Middle Ages as a devotion to Mary, the mother of Jesus. Although the Church is quick to define Mary as simply "first among the saints," it is clear the common people from the first century CE onwards saw Mary as the continuation of the Queen of Heaven: Astarte in Palestine, or Isis in Egypt. It is fitting, then, to adapt a Marian devotion for honor to the Goddess, the Queen of Heaven. These beads honor the Goddess in her three-fold, or triple, nature as Maiden, Mother, and Crone.

It is best to string your own beads. You will need:
13 white 8mm beads for the Maiden
13 red 8mm beads for the Mother
13 black mm beads for the Crone
1 silver 10mm bead representing the Full Moon
52 silver spacer beads
(class "E" 6/0) representing the Moonlight.
Nylon thread: white or ecru, or color of choice

You may begin and end stringing anywhere in the loop, but the tie-off is less visible in the midst of the black beads. The silver Moon bead is separated from the White Maiden beads by four (4) silver spacer beads. Each white Maiden bead is followed by one silver spacer bead, but the thirteenth bead is followed by four (4) spacer beads. Then come the red Mother beads, each followed by one silver spacer, but the 13th bead is followed by four (4)spacers. Then come the black Crone beads, each followed by one silver bead, but the 13th is followed by four (4) spacers. And so we are back at the silver Moon bead. In other words, beads of the same color are separated by one spacer. The three sets of beads and the larger Moon bead are separated by four spacers. Thirteen (13) beads are used in each set to signify the thirteen months of the lunar year. The silver spacers represent moonlight issuing from the Full Moon bead throughout the life cycle of Maiden, Mother, Crone. Prayers are said on each bead, while meditating on the mysteries of the Triple Goddess, and the experience of the human life cycle. Men may wish to make a devotion to the Horned God, and honor the life cycle of Youth, Father, and Sage.

PRAYERS FOR YOUR GODDESS BEADS

On the silver Moon Bead say:
Blessed Mother, come to me,
and cast your lovely, silver light.
Uncloud your face that I may see
unveiled, its shining in the night.
Triple Goddess, Blessed Be,
and Merry Meet, my soul's delight!

On the space say:
I bind unto my self today the
Fertility of the Maiden.

Meditate of the Presence of the Maiden On each Maiden Bead say:
Maiden daughter, sister, lover,
White-light, Night-light, love's embrace;
Seeking love, we find each other
By the radiance of your face.

On the space say:
I bind unto myself today the
Power of the Mother.

Meditate on the Presence of the Mother On each Mother Bead say:
Mother of all, radiant, beaming,
Full and heavy womb with expectation bright;
Be present here, full moonlight gleaming,
And bless your child with truth and light.

On the space say:
I bind unto myself today the
Wisdom of the Crone.

Meditate on the Presence of the Crone
On each Crone Bead say:
Crone now stands in moonlight gleaming,
Starlit night and silver hair;
Peace and wisdom from you streaming,
Goddess, keeper of our care.

On the space say:
I bind unto myself today the
Fertility, Power, and Wisdom of the Goddess.

On the silver Moon Bead conclude:
Blessed Mother, stay by me,
and cast your lovely, silver light.
Uncloud your face that I may see
unveiled, its shining in the night.
Triple Goddess, Blessed Be,
and Merry Meet, my soul's delight!
So Mote it be!