The Nordic prayer beads are separated into 9 sections and have 9 prayer beads in each section for a total of 81 beads. These beads represent what is sacred to the Nordic Germanic people of ancient times. The Sagas and the Eddas use the number 9 in many of their most important stories.
This list was taken from Wikipedia’s article on “Numbers in Norse mythology”:
The Norse cosmology knows nine worlds that are supported by Yggdrasil.
At the end of Skáldskaparmál is a list of nine heavenly realms provided by Snorri, including, from the nethermost to the highest, Vindblain (also Heidthornir or Hregg-Mimir), Andlang, Vidblain, Vidfedmir, Hrjod, Hlyrnir, Gimir, Vet-Mimir and Skatyrnir which "stands higher than the clouds, beyond all worlds."
Every ninth year, people from all over Sweden assembled at the Temple at Uppsala. There was feasting for nine days and sacrifices of both men and male animals according to Adam of Bremen.
In Skírnismál, Freyr is obliged to wait nine nights to consummate his union with Gerd.
In Svipdagsmál, the witch Gróa grants nine charms to her son Svipdag. In the same poem there are nine maidens who sit at the knees of Menglod.
In Fjölsvinnsmál, Laegjarn's chest is fastened with nine locks.
During Ragnarök, Thor kills Jörmungandr but staggers back nine steps before falling dead himself, poisoned by the venom that the Serpent spewed over him and after that, he resurrected himself.
According to the very late Trollkyrka poem, the fire for the blót was lit with nine kinds of wood.
Odin's ring Draupnir releases eight golden drops every ninth night, forming rings of equal worth for a total of nine rings.
In the guise of Grímnir in the poem Grímnismál, Odin allows himself to be held by King Geirröd for eight days and nights and kills him on the ninth after revealing his true identity.
There are nine daughters of Ægir.
There are nine mothers of Heimdall.
There are nine great lindworms: Jörmungandr, Níðhöggr, Grábakr, Grafvölluðr, Ofnir, Svafnir, Grafvitni and his sons Góinn and Móinn.
The god Hermod rode Sleipnir for nine nights on his quest to free Baldr from the underworld.
The giant Baugi had nine thralls who killed each other in their desire to possess Odin's magical sharpening stone.
The giant Thrivaldi has nine heads.
The clay giant Mokkurkalfi measured nine leagues high and three broad beneath the arms.
When Odin sacrificed himself to himself, he hung upon the gallows of Yggdrasill for nine days and nights. In return, he secured rúnar 'runes, secret knowledge’.
The valknut symbol is three interlocking triangles forming nine points.
How to use the prayer beads.
To begin, you should hold the main bead and take 3 deep breaths, then you can say this affirmation:
“Nine times nine
I say speak this rhyme
So these words are true
through all space and time”
Then you will repeat your main affirmation (See examples below) 81 times.
Hold a new bead every time you say your affirmation.
After you have touched 9 beads and spoken your affirmation 9 times (one affirmation for each bead you touch), you will find your fingers resting on a spacing bead.
Now take 3 deep breaths.
Repeat this process until you reach the end and your fingers are back to the main bead.
Here are some examples of affirmations you can say:
To strengthen your ability as a Seer:
This is a blessing asking the Nordic Goddesses of Fate to help you see what must be seen.
“Thank you great Norns for this powerful weaving,
Blessing me with true inner seeing.”
(This blessing is more powerful if you focus on your third eye while you use your beads.)
To heal your body and mind:
“Thank you great God (or whoever you pray to)
for this powerful healing
mending my body and soul to be whole.”
(This blessing is more powerful if you focus on your heart while you use your beads)
Note*
You can create any prayer that you need and you can pray to anyone that you want to. These beads are meant as a way for you to “count your blessings”.