People from all walks of life use prayer beads. Rosary prayers are common among devotees of Santa Muerte, especially due to their inherent connection to folk Catholicism. Any set of prayers can be adapted to fit a rosary or prayer bead string. As you pass through the gate of the central medal and enter the circle of this rosary, honor the blessings of the Guardian ArchAngels of the four directions and elements: It is best to string your own beads. Follow the instructions below, which is the same procedure for the Goddess Prayer Beads, but substitutes Gold for Silver, because Druid spirituality is Sun oriented rather than Moon oriented. Though many peoples in Viking societies did convert to Christianity, it took generations before this conversion meant little more than a dip in the river.

There are many Gods and Goddesses of different pantheons – such as Egyptian, Celtic, Norse, Roman and Greek – that may be referenced specifically for their association with death. Osiris, for example, is the Egyptian God of the Underworld, while Persephone is a goddess associated with death and rebirth in Ancient Greece. We’ve already established that Pagan funeral customs differ enormously from tradition to tradition, but you’d be surprised at how similar funeral rites are across the board. They’re small pieces of jewelry that represent prayers. When you pray, you hold them in your hands and say certain words over them, using the beads to count the number of times you pray. This creates vibrations that allow you to connect with the divine. I remember all new-born creatures about to begin their cycle of life, especially……. may they live and love in joyful awareness. Mother of Creation, thank you for your bounty. All around the earth has grown to maturity. So too, I pray, may I see signs my own maturity. Help me to recognize the progress in my spirit, to see the fruits of character and insight that have developed since spring. Let me hold those gifts close to my heart as sacred and special.

Honoring Seasonal Cycles: Our 365 Day Routine

As Paganism is a very diverse religion with many distinct though related traditions, the forms of Pagan worship vary widely. It may be collective or solitary. It may consist of informal prayer or meditation, or of formal, structured rituals through which the participants affirm their deep spiritual connection with nature, honour their Gods and Goddesses, and celebrate the seasonal festivals of the turning year and the rites of passage of human life. This northern branch of Germanic paganism, steeped in ritual sacrifice and worship, dominated the Viking's homeland in Scandinavia and the surrounding region.

Second, they encourage you to develop a personal relationship with the gods. Third, they help you to remember your prayers throughout the day. Fourth, they provide a physical reminder of your prayers. Norse Heathens may favour verses from the Prose Edda or the Poetic Edda – 13th-century Icelandic texts written in Old Norse. Druidry Cremation is a popular choice, particularly for Druids and Heathens, but crematoriums contribute to greenhouse gas emissions and aren’t necessarily the best for the environment. However, since 2010 it has been legal to hold open air cremations with old-style funeral pyres. If you are invited to an open air cremation, you should be prepared that while it is an emotional and powerful process, it is one that many find distressing to witness. Natural burial If you’re an early riser, this should be a simple one – rising to greet the sun. Sit outside with your coffee and watch the sun rise. Bask in the glory of the star that gives life to this planet. Bonus: getting out into the sunlight within one hour of waking aids in regulating our circadian rhythms. Which means, you’ll sleep better at night! 5. Runic Stadhas or Yoga But it is common for Wiccans to want to include non-Wiccan or non-initiate family and friends, in which case no primary text exists to draw from. You’d likely hear poetry written and published by prominent members of those communities. Gardnerian High Priestess Doreen Valiente wrote a poem following the passing of Robert Cochrane entitled Elegy For A Dead Witch, which has frequently been reused in modern pagan funerals. Funeral ritesKeep a dream journal at your bedside. Before you even set foot on the floor in the morning, record your dreams. This is a simple, yet effective way to tune into your higher self and gods – through dreams. The more you journal your dreams, the more dreams you will recall. And the closer you’ll become to your spirit guides and gods. 8. Meditate Ancient Ones, bend down your ears to hear my prayer. The world is quiet and resting. So to bring peace to my soul, and to the spirit(s) of ________, [insert any names of people who have passed over] who await reincarnation. Take any restlessness, any worry, and cover it in a healing blanket of snow. A prayer known as the Gorsedd Prayer (Gweddi’r Orsedd) by Iolo Morganwg is a staple reading for many Druidic rites. Traditional Wicca According to a 2014 Washington Post article, Iceland seems to be a flourishing center of modern-day Norse paganism. The article stated that the Asatru Association, founded in 1972, a small religious sect devoted to Norse gods, had as many as 2,400 worshippers in its ranks. Just as you light a candle for your gods or simply to re-connect, light incense on a daily basis. Something about the scent of incense in the air puts me into an otherworldly state of mind. It is relaxing and grounding, too. 11. Read a Spiritual Book

Chanting and poems were also a huge part of Norse paganism. Odin was said to love poems, so there is a wide literature of Old Norse poems and dedications to the gods. In fact, one of the best accounts we have of Viking prayer is from the 10th century CE. Arab traveler, diplomat, and scholar Ibn Fadlan. Upon encountering a Rus trader praying for a good market, he observed: Heathen funerals are usually led by a Gothi or Gythja, which may be a high-ranking member of a group or a person chosen by the decedent. Pagan funeral music

Spring’s theme centers on earth’s renewal, so consider those things you want to restore or revitalize in your own life. All around the earth is budding with new life. If you have been considering having a child, now is an excellent time to pray for that blessing. Thanks to the ever-whimsical spring winds, this is also the perfect season to ask for help in gaining new perspectives, refreshed outlooks, and an improved sense of humor. You will usually be expected to present an offering of sorts to the deceased. This may be a small token to represent them, money or a libation of food and drink. But do not approach or interact with any kind of altar set-up unless invited to. Wiccan Funerals Prayers are said on each bead, while meditating on the mysteries of the Three Kindreds, and the experience of human life. But there is value in simply being thankful, even if you aren’t offering thanks to anyone in particular. There’s value in expressing the desires of your heart, even if you aren’t sure who’s listening.