This set of pocket prayer beads for the Furies (Semnai Theai, Eumenides, Erinyes) consists 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. Joining the string is a pendant, a symbol representing the goddesses: three red glass beads in the shape of a drop of blood. The goddesses were born from drops of Ouranos' blood that fell to earth when Kronos castrated his father, thereby freeing his Titan brothers and sisters.
The goddesses were called by a number of names; the Erinyes (furious ones) and Eumenides (kindly ones) are probably their best known epithets, but they were also called Semnai Theai (honored ones), under which name they received regular offerings in Athens.
It is made with 10mm red 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 11" (28cm) in circumference and is designed to be used in prayer and meditation, to decorate an altar or shrine, and/or to adorn a statue. The small size makes it easy to keep on hand in a drawer, a purse, or a pocket.
The beads come with a prayer to the Semnai, written specifically to be used with this prayer bead design, and with a cotton muslin bag for storage.
You can, of course, use the beads with any prayers, or for any god or gods, that you choose or that resonate with you.
