One of the devotional tools I use is a set of prayer beads. They are similar to the Northern Tradition prayer beads that my housemate sells online. Mine are somewhat different than the ones depicted on the site, as I wanted beads for certain deities that aren’t mentioned in the standard set. Also, none of the Aesir are represented save Bragi and Idunna. That makes me sad, but it wasn’t my choice.
The beads are made of glass and semi-precious gemstones with bone spacers. They’re in somewhat different order now than when this photo was taken since I’ve had to re-string them twice. I’ve also altered some of the prayers from their original form, which I posted long ago in my personal journal and which some of you may already have read. The current series of prayers goes like this:
In the name of Sunna, fair wheel racing across the sky, may I find joy with each sunrise.
In the name of Urd, That Which Is, may I use my orlog wisely
In the name of Verdande, That Which Is Becoming, may my maegan and hamingja grow and strengthen.
In the name of Skuld, That Which Must Be, may I bravely accept my wyrd.
Hail to the folk of Asgard, mighty fortress of the Aesir.
Hail to the folk of Ljossalfheim, glimmering realm of the Light-elves.
Hail to the folk of Vanaheim, golden country of the Vanir.
Hail to the folk of Jotunheim, ancient home of the Jotnar.
Hail to the folk of Midgard, lively world of mortal men.
Hail to the folk of Muspellheim, burning land of the fire-etins.
Hail to the folk of Svartalfheim, shadowed realm of the Duergar and Dark-elves.
Hail to the folk of Niflheim, ice-rimed world of the frost-etins.
Hail to the folk of Helheim, the refuge of the dead.
(Norns’ prayers)
In the name of Frey, Golden Lord of Vanaheim, may I understand the true meaning of sacrifice.
In the name of Gerda, Lady of the Walled Garden, may I find self-understanding in solitude.
In the name of Freya, Vanadis and Wearer of Brisingamen, may I come to understand my true worth.
In the name of Nerthus, Earth Mother, may I value the earth and all the creatures that live in and upon her.
In the name of Njord, Lord of Ships, may I provide safe harbor for those who need it most.
In the name of Holda, Lady of Hearth and Home, may I cook nourishing food, keep a fair house, and turn no weary guest from my door.
In the name of Bragi, Skald of Skalds, may I be a courteous and cheerful guest in the halls of others.
In the name of Idunna, Keeper of the Apples of Immortality, may I have health of body and vitality of spirit.
(Norns’ prayers)
In the name of Aegir, Ale-brewer Under the Sea, may I serve my community with generosity and graciousness.
In the name of Ran, Storm-bringing Ravager, may I value the sea and all the creatures that live in and around her.
In the name of Kolga, Mermaid of Cold Waters, may I understand stillness.
In the name of Duva, Mermaid of the Hidden Island, may I value the treasures I cannot always see.
In the name of Blodugghada, Mermaid of the Sea-bound Rivers, may my blood be a source of power rather than sorrow.
In the name of Hronn, Mermaid of the Whirlpool, may my fear spur me to act for the greater good.
In the name of Hevring, Mermaid of the Surface Waves, may my tears purify my spirit.
In the name of Bylgja, Mermaid of the Riptide, may I know when to swim against and when to succumb to the forces that impel me.
In the name of Bara, Mermard of the Big Wave, may all that is unnecessary and harmful in my life be eroded away.
In the name of Unn, Mermaid of the Tidal Rhythm, may I remain mindful of the patterns and passage of time.
In the name of Himinglava, Mermaid of Fair Weather, may I persevere through each storm to the sunshine which follows.
(Norns’ prayers)
In the name of Loki, Firebrand and Bringer of Gifts, may I bring needed change to the world.
In the name of Angrboda, Chieftess and Hagia of the Iron Wood, may I lead with courage and wisdom.
In the name of Fenrir, Great Wolf, may I learn to love my own monsters.
In the name of Jormungand, World Serpent, may I respect others’ boundaries, as well as my own.
In the name of Hati, Moon-chaser, may I bear unwelcome tasks with acceptance.
In the name of Skoll, Sun-pursuer, may I find what joy I can in the unwelcome tasks that befall me.
In the name of Sigyn, Lady of Endurance, may I find the strength to endure life’s harshest blows.
In the name of Narvi, eldest son of Sigyn, may I remember and honor those who have died innocent at others’ hands.
In the name of Vali, younger son of Sigyn, may I continue to fight against my own madness, and to help others do the same.
In the name of Sleipnir, eight-legged son of Loki, may I pass between worlds in swiftness and safety.
In the name of Laufey, Lady of the Leafy Isle, may I remain true to myself.
In the name of Farbauti, Flaming Arrow, may my swift wits be a weapon against attack.
In the name of Surt, Lord of Muspellheim, may I remember that from destruction comes rebirth.
In the name of Gunnlod, fair-voiced Lady under the Mountain, may my times of isolation bring forth beauty and joy.
In the name of Hyndla, Hagia of the Northern Mountains, may I see clearly into the bloodlines I must walk.
In the name of Mengloth, Mistress of Healing, may I remain mindful of the pain I cause others.
In the name of Utgard-Loki, Sorcerer-King, may I know when to speak and when to remain silent.
In the name of Mordgud, Battle-Maiden of Helheim’s gate, may I guard well that which is under my care.
In the name of Nidhogg, Gnawer at the Roots, may I remember that there is no such place as “away.”
In the name of Hela, Goddess of Death, may I have compassion for the dying and for those who mourn them.
(Norns’ prayers)
In the name of Mani, Walker in the Darkness, may I find peace with the shadows of each night.
In the name of Yggdrasil, World Tree, may I withstand the fire and frost of mortal existence and remain rooted at the center of my being.
My goal is to say these prayers at least once every day. I go through periods of being very diligent about it, and periods of being not so diligent, sometimes even going without praying for weeks at a time. I’d rather not say prayers by rote because I feel they become meaningless when reduced to the level of a task that one must get “out of the way.” I find, however, that sticking faithfully to the routine over time makes it easier to get into the proper state of mind when I do sit down to pray, even if at first it’s hard to be mindful.
Some people believe that prayer has no place in Northern religion unless one has a servile, cowardly relationship to the gods, who supposedly will spurn our prayers as some kind of admission of weakness. I think that shows a misunderstanding of the nature of prayer. One does not need training, a fancy title, supernatural powers or a lot of rich trappings for it. Sure, you can use prayer to ask for help for yourself or another. Sure, the nature of the gods is revealed all around us in the things sacred to Them, in Their legends and stories, and in the rites that the people develop in Their honor. But prayer adds an extra dimension to one’s understanding of the gods, and when done mindfully, may allow us to hear Their voices as well. I sometimes wonder if those who claim that the gods have nothing to say to modern humans have ever bothered to pray.
