Rosary

A rosary is a set of beads used to keep track of where you are in a large set of prayers. Most people think of the catholic rosary, but there are others including the Mala used for Mantras in Tantra.

The Catholic Rosary

The absolution online rosary ( http://absolution-online.com/rosary/ ) is actually an acurate simulation of the rosary, although the site is a parody.

Each bead is a prayer. Different beads are different prayers.

There is a main loop plus a dangling bit. The main loop means it can be worn around the neck.

The beads may vary especially in size and shape, but the order should remain the same. Some rosaries use knots where others use beads etc.

The Mysteries

At 5 points in a loop of the rosary you are supposed to consider each of 5 "mysteries". There are several sets of mysteries, a fourth set was added in the last couple of years and I don't know how you are now supposed to decide which mysteries to consider, so I'll use the older system. It's done by day, except sundays.

Monday - The Joyful Mysteries
Tuesday - The Sorrowful Mysteries
Wednesday - The Glorious Mysteries
Thursday - The Joyful Mysteries
Friday - The Sorrowful Mysteries
Saturday - The Glorious Mysteries
Sunday of Advent - The Joyful Mysteries
Sunday after Epiphany, before Lent - The Joyful Mysteries
Sunday in Lent - The Sorrowful Mysteries
Sunday after Easter, before Advent - The Glorious Mysteries

The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation
The Finding in the Temple

The Sorrowful Mysteries

Agony in the Garden
The Scourging
Crowning with Thorns
Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection
The Ascension
Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption
The Coronation

How to pray

Start with the cross at the end of the dangling bit. Make the "Sign of the Cross" and recite the "Apostles' Creed".
A large bead: pray "Our Father"
3 small beads: 3 x "Hail Mary"
Knot: "Doxology"
A large bead (now on the main loop) - "Our Father" while considering the first "mystery"
10 small beads: 10 x "Hail Mary"
Knot: "Doxology"
A large bead (now on the main loop) - "Our Father" while considering the second "mystery"
10 small beads: 10 x "Hail Mary"
Knot: "Doxology"
A large bead (now on the main loop) - "Our Father" while considering the third "mystery"
10 small beads: 10 x "Hail Mary"
Knot: "Doxology"
A large bead (now on the main loop) - "Our Father" while considering the fourth "mystery"
10 small beads: 10 x "Hail Mary"
Knot: "Doxology"
A large bead (now on the main loop) - "Our Father" while considering the fifth "mystery"
10 small beads: 10 x "Hail Mary"
Now this is where I am not sure. I think you can either go around the loop again or "exit" back to the cross. When exiting I think you pray "Doxology", "Hail Holy Queen" and "Let us Pray" and finish at the crucifix by making "The Sign of the Cross". (any catholics correct this...)

The standardised start and end kinda reminds me of banishing in maigickal workings.

The Prayers

The Sign of the Cross

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.

He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary.

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried.

He descended to the dead.

On the third day he rose again.

He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father.

He will come again to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name;

thy kingdom come;

thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

and forgive us our trespasses

as we forgive those who trespass against us;

and lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with you.

Blessed are you among women,

and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners,

now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Doxology

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:

as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.

Hail Holy Queen

Hail Holy Queen, Mother of Mercy,

hail our life our sweetness and our hope.

To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve.

to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Turn then most gracious advocate your eyes of mercy toward us and after this, :our exile, show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus.

O clement, O loving, O sweet virgin Mary.

Queen of the most Holy Rosary, pray for us, that we may be made worthy of the :promises of Christ. Amen.

Let Us Pray

O God, whose only begotten Son, by His life, death, and resurrection has :purchased for us the rewards of eternal life, grant, we beseech Thee,

that meditating upon these mysteries in the most Holy Rosary

of the Blessed Virgin Mary, we may imitate what they contain,

and obtain what they promise: through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.