This set of Hekate (Hecate) prayer beads consists of three groups of twelve beads, to represent the Greek dodecatheon of twelve gods (there are many more than twelve Greek gods, but most cities had their own group of twelve) and the mythic division of the world into three realms--the sea, the heavens, and the underworld. Separating these sections are three hanging pendants, each a symbol representing the goddess:
Key - Hekate is often depicted holding a key, as is fitting for both her role as a psychopomp who travels to the underworld, and her role as guardian of the entryway to the home.
Dog/Hound - Hekate was associated with dogs for several reasons, including the notion that her arrival was greeted by the howling of dogs. In one myth, the Trojan queen Hecabe was transformed into a black dog upon her death and became the goddess' companion.
Torch - Hekate is a torch-bearer--she carried the light while she and Demeter searched for lost Persephone--and is commonly depicted with torches.
It is made with 10mm smoky grey fire-polished Czech glass beads with an aurora finish, separated by silver-toned metal spacer beads, and glass seed beads to provide a comfortable transition from one bead to the next and to make the piece lightweight, supple, and easy to handle.
The string itself is approximately 29" (73.7cm) in circumference and can be worn if desired, although it is designed to be used in prayer and meditation, to decorate an altar or shrine, and/or to adorn a statue.
The beads come with a prayer to Hekate, written specifically to be used with this prayer bead design (you can, of course, use the beads with any prayers, or for any god or gods, that you choose or that resonate with you) and with a cotton muslin bag for storage.
