Moss Moon Mala

Forest Enchanter Moon Mala

Materials: Natural gemstones (moss agate & white jade with SOLID sterling silver (2) and 14k gold (1) spacer beads) hand-knotted in 100% pure green silk, with a natural moss agate carved moon as a focal bead .

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This moss moon mala is one of my favorites, and was made in honor / during a Virgo full moon a while back. Mercury is domicile in Virgo and Gemini. He is god of messages, communication, commerce, tricks, and trade. He is resourceful, inventive, and curious, often aiding the hero on their journey. His planet also rules intellect and dexterity of both body and mind. He is a liminal figure, in that he can bypass all borders, coming and going between all realms with ease. He is also, therefore, heavily associated with witchcraft, and is the figure represented by The Magician card in tarot. Because witchcraft has to do with communication between the witch and higher beings (gods, goddesses, nature, plants, rocks, planets, the higher inner aspect etc), mercury is a wonderful deity to patron, as his favor is invaluable. Mercury is said to rule over gemstones of mixed color, and green color, so moss agate is perfect for him. Meanwhile, the gentle milky white of the white jade is reminiscent of the moon. I expect I do not have to explain Luna’s importance to the craft! Suffice to say, her movement is the one the early alchemists, astrologers, and sorcerers paid closest attention to! It was said that all other planets energy must go through the moon before they reach the earth and are made manifest. Therefore, nothing should be done if the moon is poorly aspected.

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What are malas?

Malas, also called mantra beads, meditation beads, or Buddhist prayer beads, are spiritual tools used to count intentions, prayers, mantras, or breaths during periods of focused meditation. They consist of 108 beads, not including the meru or “mountain” bead (also referred to as the “guru bead”) at the end.

This last bead is usually the largest and signifies the beginning and end of the counting process and meditative session. Focusing on the Meru bead before and after meditation is a way to pay respect to the personal teachers or gurus we have been blessed with throughout our life, but it also helps us stay grounded. It reminds us to remain humble as we seek out our innate connection to the True Teacher to which we are all connected: the divine, creative, universal, energy of life itself. 

Why 108 beads?

The mala consists of 108 beads, not including the Meru Bead and/or any decorative spacer beads, which are simply used to aid in the counting process. These 108 beads can be stylistically broken up in many different patterns according to preference or adherence to a specific tradition, but typically there will always be 108 main beads. This is because 108 is a sacred number in many traditions, and it was because of this renowned sacred number that I also made 108 cards, corresponding Sigils, and affirmations in The Nameless One (A Tarot & Oracle Deck).

This number 108 is sacred for many reasons, here are just a few:

• The diameter of the Sun is about 108 times the diameter of the Earth
• The distance from the Sun to the Earth is about 108 times the diameter of the sun
• The average distance of the Moon from the Earth is about 108 times the diameter of the Moon.
• In astrology, there are 12 houses and 9 planets. 12 x 9 =108
• In some Yogic traditions, there are said to be108 pressure points in the human body, as well as 108 names of the goddess, and 108 energy lines throughout the body that become one as they connect at the heart
• In numerology, the number 1 represents the Self, The Ego, as well as the singular universal energy that connects all of life/ creation, and Higher Truths,  while 0 represents potential, the cosmic void, the beginning /end of all things, as well as spiritual completeness or emptiness, while 8 represents infinity, eternity, and universal abundance.

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Xia Hunt Malas

My "Xian malas" are in a new style that I have designed myself after years of personal experimentation. They retain the traditional 108 beads but are broken up into three parts or segments of 8, 18, and 28 beads on each side of the Meru bead. They are as follows:

 The 8 Base beads 

These 8 beads are on each side of the Meru Bead (16 in total) represent abundance, manifestation, spiritual attainment, and infinite potential. In this case, the 8 Base beads are 6mm in size using the best quality moss agate beads.

moss agate metaphysical properties: 

The 18 Central beads

These 18 Central beads (18 on each side of the Meru bead, for 36 in total) are sometimes set in between a decorative spacer segment, in this case using two 3mm solid sterling silver beads on either side of a 14k SOLID gold (not plated, not filled) spacer bead. Spacer beads are used to pause and regain focus during the meditative count and are not counted as part of the main 108 bead segments.

The Central beads represent an increase in vitality and prosperity--especially in the areas of life the corresponding gemstones resonates with. The number 18 is a sacred number, especially in Jewish traditions, where it is said to be linked with life and lifeforce. In this case, the Central beads are made of milky white jade, 6mm in size. 

Metaphysical properties of white jade: 

• Calmong • Aids good health • Restores peace of mind and heart • balances mind, body, heart, and spirit energies • ensures energy is used for its best and highest purpose 

The 28 Higher Beads

These 28 Higher beads (56 total) connect at the back and form a seamless transition, representing completion, elevated thought, realignment, and greater understanding. For this reason, I tend to use the same type of beads for the Base beads as for the Higher beads--as this symbolizes a true, unified, and elevated understanding or integration of the energies used in the beginning. In this case, these beads are again made up of moss agate. 

The Meru Bead

As discussed above, the meru or “mountain” bead (also referred to as the “guru bead”) is at the end, the largest bead in the mala, not counted among the 108 beads, and signifies the beginning and end of the counting process and meditative session.

Focusing on the Meru bead before and after meditation is a way to pay respect to the personal teachers or gurus we have been blessed with throughout our life, but it also helps us stay grounded. It reminds us to remain humble as we seek out our innate connection to the True Teacher to which we are all connected: the divine, creative, universal, energy of life itself.

In this mala, I have used a large moss agate carved in the shape of a moon as the Meru bead.

All the malas here at Xia Hunt Studios I have made by hand, using personally selected, top quality, all-natural gemstones, which were imbued with intention during the knotting process. The thread is 100% natural genuine silk, as are any tassels at the end. They come in a beautiful pouch, with a handwritten thank you and a small gift intuitively selected by me, for you, to show my appreciation for your support. Please know that these malas are made with love, attention, and intention. They are made to last.

Rest assured knowing that if for any reason your mala breaks or is damaged, you can send it back to me and I will repair it for you free of charge. You handle the shipping, and I will handle the rest. ( This includes replacing any damaged gemstones and reknotting the mala using new silk if needed.) 

Blessed be,

- Xia