Praying the Rosary

[Lovehound]

Is there anyone here who prays the rosary on a regular basis? I just got a rosary yesterday and I'm learning how to do it now.

What does the rosary do for your spiritual walk, for those who do this?

[GEBS]

I grew up Catholic so praying the Rosary was a regular thing for me. I still have a lovely hematite Rosary that I use even though I have not been Catholic for many years. For me now it is a source of comfort. When I hold it in my hands it takes me back to my childhood kneeling in the pew. I don't use it to pray anymore. I use it to help calm myself when I'm feeling stressed.

[Morr]

I have been visited and embraced by Mother Mary several times. I dont view her as a Goddess, but rather as an ancestor or guiding spirit. Angelic, if you will. Same with the rest of the Saints.

I've studied a lot of the Christian/Catholic Mysticism.

I have a rosary from the Vatican, and one from the old city of Jaffa. I have taught myself to say the rosary (bad, BAD Jewish girl lol) , and when I seek Mary I say it. It helps me meditate more than anything. I dont do it often however. Only when I feel her calling me, or when I want to honor her.

Again, she is not a Goddess in my eyes, but rather like a Spirit Guide or Guardian Angel of sort.

[Sage Rainsong]

I did when I was a kid growing up Catholic and all. It helped me to reach a meditative state. The best rosary beads that I have ever seen is the one that my mom has. It was made out of my great grandmothers funeral flowers. They were dyed light purple (her favorite color) and rolled into beads then were fastened with silver clasps. They are stunning I don't think that the woman who made them does it anymore.

[EponaCapaill]

I pray the rosary on and off. I have a beautiful rosary make from rose petals by the Carmalite nuns in Spain (we lived there when I was about 5).

[MariThorn]

I am a Catholic witch, so the rosary plays a huge part in my spiritual path. I believe that praying the Mysteries draws me closer to God. The meditative state that I enter when praying it calms and grounds me most of the time. I also like the idea that each time I pray it a chaplet of roses is laid at Mary's feet. I own quite a few, my favorite is made of silver roses and saphire hearts with a medallion of Mary on it. I have a silver one with the pieta on it and one of St Benedict. (Plus some glow in the dark ones for when I cannot sleep.)

LOL I actually enjoy their calming effect. There are those Christian witches who collect them in different stones and use the power of the stones in their magick while praying the rosary. So they have many different uses. :)

[TheWanderer]

I go to Mass early on Sundays to pray the Rosary before Mass starts. The number of people who arrive early always impresses me. I love the way I get into the prayerful spirit before Mass starts.
I am attempting to do one everyday, but that is not going well... so far. It is Advent, and like Lent, I see it as a good time to start becoming more focused in my prayer life.

Oh yes, and I posted this in another thread, but wanted to pass it along:
Links to some Rosarys on CD
Dana and Fr. Kevin Scallon pray and sing the Rosary (original mysteries) (http://stellamarisbooks.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1598)
(I have this one, along with the Luminous Mysteries CD, and I love it! I love the songs, but I can see how some people might find them annoying)
Dana and Fr. Kevin Scallon pray and sing the Luminous Mysteries (http://www.autom.com/autom/Music-DVD-Video-Software_304481/Item_The-Luminous-Mysteries-of-the-Rosary-with-Dana-and-Father-Kevin-Scallon_445202.htm)
(Again, I have this one)
Dana and Fr. Kevin Scallon pray and sing the Rosary of Healing (http://stellamarisbooks.com/store/viewItem.asp?idProduct=1600)
(Haven't heard it, but I am sure it is very good)
PM me if you have any specific questions

I also wanted to include Mary's 15 Promises (http://rosarycreations.com/rosarypromises.htm) to those who pray the Rosary. Thoughts on those?