Prayer Beads for Artemis

(This week's prompt at The Pagan Experience is about Deity and the Divine, a prompt that will repeat once each month.)

In the past I have written a few posts on creating a set of prayer beads for Artemis. I wrote about how I chose the materials, how I actually made the prayer beads, but I haven't really shared how I actually use them. There are many examples of how to make prayer beads out there, but I think there are fewer examples of prayers to actually go along with them, which is something I find helpful in making my own.

I begin by reciting an opening prayer, a modified version of a traditional hymn, on the largest bead:
I sing of Artemis, the pure maiden, who cheers on the hounds, the hunter of stags, who delights in archery over the shadowy hills and windy peaks, who draws her golden bow, rejoicing in the chase. I sing of Artemis...

I then recite one of her titles for each bead...
Goddess Queen
Daughter of Leto
Daughter of Zeus
Queen of Beasts
Delighting in Arrows
Deer Shooting
Of the Wilds
Of the Broad Pastures
Of the Marshlands
Revered Virgin
Of the Moon
Of the Fire
Leader (of the dance/choir)
Ancestral Goddess
Guardian
She Who Soothes
Light Bringer
Savior

From there I can either recite the titles again, or return to the large bead with a simple closing prayer:
O Artemis, beautiful and powerful goddess, I honor you on this day, and on all days.

I debated quite a bit on whether to recite the titles in English or in their original language, Greek. There are pros and cons of each, and for me I felt that at least for now English would be the better choice, but certainly either way could work, depending on which makes more sense to the individual. These prayers can be used in at least two ways. First, by slowly reciting each title, and really taking time to meditate on the title, what it means, the image it conjures, and so on. The second is to quickly recite the titles as more of a chant, focusing a bit less on what each title really means, and instead allowing yourself to slip into a bit more of a receptive meditative state of mind.

For additional information on Artemis, including more of her titles, hymns to her, her myths, and more, her article on Theoi is a fantastic source.