This set of Ratatosk pocket prayer beads consists of a total of twelve beads; the nine beads on the loop recall the nine worlds connected by Yggdrasil, the World Tree, while the three beads on the pendant remind us of Yggdrasil's three roots that reach into the Well. Joining the string is a pendant, a symbol representing the god: a squirrel.
In myth, Ratatosk lives on the World tree, travelling from the top to the bottom and bringing messages between its inhabitants. He is particularly known for carrying gossip and insults between the eagles who live at the top of the tree and the serpent Nidhogg who dwells beneath its roots, and is thus often a source of conflict.
It is made with 10mm deep brown fire-polished Czech glass beads, 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 loop itself is approximately 9" (22.9cm) in circumference and the pendant hangs from a 3" (7.6cm) string. It 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 Ratatosk, 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.
