Prayer beads are a good meditation and focusing tool and I have found them to be a valuable aid in connecting with the Gods and spirits. Since the moon has such a strong influence over me and always has it was only natural that I come up with a set of prayer beads specifically for the moon and His many faces.

The idea is to pray on the day of the moon phase in question. Start with the current moon phase and go through the prayers. Each phase tends to have a different “theme” or type of energy to work with in my mind. The New Moon for me is for setting goals and making plans to achieve them. The Waxing Crescent is for healing work. The First Quarter is for work involving protection, and the Waxing Gibbous is for luck workings. The Full Moon I see as the “Thanksgiving” of the lunar month, when the moon is at its fullest and thus its bounty of light is at its greatest, so too should we look at our own bounty and be grateful for what we have.

The Waning phases are more for banishing work. The Waning Moon is for banishing bad habits and the Last Quarter is for cleansing and doing away with negative thoughts. The Dark Moon is the time of the dead, when the moon is dark and hidden away and thus other things dark and hidden are remembered as well.

Month by month the meanings of these prayers can change. For example, the Full Moon prayer “May I always be grateful for what I have” can take on a totally different meaning from one month to the next depending on how things have been going in your life. The moon directs the tides of the seas and since our bodies are mostly water it is only natural that it directs us as well. These prayers are a way to get back in line with the natural flow of your individual tides.

The beads can be any style you please, although at least nine beads should be on the strand. Each bead represents a phase of the moon. You can make them simple with just the nine beads or you can make them elaborate with decorative moon charms, stars, mirrors which Mani loves, or anything else you like.

However you choose to do it, it is my hope that these prayers are a good help to those seeking to get back in sync with the moon’s cycles. May Mani bless.

In the name of Mani, whose chariot is responsible for the moon’s many faces

(New Moon) May all my goals remain attainable and in my sights, as we remain in Your sight

(Waxing Crescent) May I be healed of illness on all levels, and my health remain good

(First Quarter) May my dwellings remain secure and be protected from all harm night and day

(Waxing Gibbous) May luck favor me and bring me good tidings as the waxing of the moon brings light to the Earth

(Full Moon) May I always be grateful for what I have, and share my bounty with those less fortunate as the moon shares its light

(Waning Gibbous) May the spirits help me to be positive always, and may that light help to illuminate my darkness as You illuminate the night

(Last Quarter) May my words and deeds reflect my devotion as the moon reflects light from the sun

(Waning Crescent) May my path always remain illuminated and true

(Dark Moon) May I always walk with the Gods and do my honored ancestors proud, for though I can’t see them I know they are still there just as You are

Thank You Mani for continuing to bring the light to the night. Hail!

I also have a set I made for the Fire Etins since I work with Them a great deal.  I'm sure there are a lot of people out there who are horrified that in addition to being a Lokean I also honor Surt and His kin.  I'm not ashamed to admit it and if you don't like it, you don't have to read my writings, buy my devotionals, or look at this website or my LJ. 

For this one you should have at least 10 beads on the strand, preferably fiery red if you can get them.  My own strand has a lot more than that because I have a few more personal prayers I say for my personal strand and I also like to wear it as a necklace.  The prayers below I wrote for my upcoming Surt and Family devotional but am sharing them here as well in hopes that perhaps someone will find a use for them.  Enjoy.

 

In the name of Surt may my inner fire be rekindled

In the name of Sinmora may my blood run hot even at my coldest

In the name of Loki may I come to know the true meaning of sacrifice and never take joy for granted

In the name of Glut may my love provide a comforting glow for others when they need it most

In the name of Eisa may my love for the Gods smolder even longer than the hottest of coals

In the name of Einmyria may my negative thoughts and feelings be blown away like ashes on the wind

In the name of Logi may my mind always work as swiftly as the flames consume

In the name of Farbauti may those who wish me harm be struck down by their own foul misdeeds

In the name of Daeg may each new day bring with it the promise of hope

In the name of Sunna may the love of the Gods continue to bathe me as the Earth is bathed in Your light