Using Devotional Beads



Triple Goddess Devotional Beads

The use of beads as a devotional tool can be found within many spiritual paths and traditions.  Known by various names, the purpose of using devotional, prayer, mala or even rosary beads is largely the same -that of being a counter when prayers, mantras or chants are repeated.

Sacred Strands is a wonderful site that outlines the use of such beads.

Inspired from this site comes this wonderful  video that shows how a set of Triple Goddess devotional or prayer beads are used.  Triple Goddess devotional or prayer beads contain 13 beads of each colour (white for the Maiden/waxing moon, red for the Mother/full  moon and black for the Crone/waning moon) is contained, as detailed in the above picture of Triple Goddess Devotional Beads that were crafted by members of the Temple of the Dark Moon.

The Opening Prayer is inspired by the Charge of the Goddess (accredited to Doreen Valiente):

Opening Prayer: "Great Goddess, Lady of Life, Whose garment is the shining Heavens. You are the white Moon among the stars and the beauty of the green Earth. You are the Oneness of all things and the completion of the Spirit. You are the Mystery that if that which we seek we find not within, we will never find it without. For you have been here since the beginning and you are that which is attained at the end of desire.

Great Goddess, Lady of Life, Three that are One, You are everything; the Earth under my feet, the Air which I breath, the Water which purifys me and the Fire that illuminates my path. Great Goddess, I look within and I see your Light shining."

White Maiden beads: "Maiden of freedom, You are the eternal Virgin, the Holy Bride of Nature and the revealing Light within the Shadows. Through you all that is good comes to birth."

Red Mother beads: "Mother of Compassion, forever fertile, Lady of the forge. You are the creating force of Love and the strength which nourishes all that lives. Through you the cause of Life is served."

Black Crone beads: "Crone of Wisdom, Ancient One, Keeper of the Cauldron. You stand at the gates between the worlds and carry the shining sickle of Death. Without you nothing can be transformed."

Closing Prayer: "Oh Holy and Blessed Lady, Perpetual Comfort of humankind and all creatures, who by your bounty and grace sustains the whole world. You bear great compassion to the troubles of the miserable as a loving Mother would. You are the natural Mother of all things, Mistress and Governess of all the elements, first of the Gods celestial, Light of the Goddesses."

"By the Power and Will of She that is Three, Blessed Be!"