Mother Empress Mala
✨Mother Empress Mala🌙
Materials: Natural gemstones ( 6mm rose quartz + 6mm mother of pearl ) hand-knotted with 100% pure silk (muted pink), with a large 20mm rose quartz focal bead.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
👑 The Mother Empress Mala 🌸
Hand knotted with a light pink silk, using soft, natural light pink rose quartz, and mother of pearl shell beads, ending with a large 20mm rose quartz guru bead and a silk cream-white and pink tassel, this mala possess a quiet and understated grace. The colors are light pale pinks and creams, and reminds me of the graceful care of Mother Earth as she unfurls her arms in the gentle light of early spring.
👑 🌸 ✨
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 in total. 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 signs 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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 natural mother of pearl beads.
✨mother of pearl properties:
Mother of pearl comes from the shells of mollusks, and some of the beads possess a subtle iridescence. Because it comes from the sea, and was once part if a living creature, it is said to possess the wisdom of life itself, helping one to embrace the natural cycles of life and surrender to the tides of fate when necessary. It helps with facilitating the inner feminine, and brings out nurturing and gentle qualities. Being from the sea, it tightens intuition, and emotional awareness. Because it comes from a shell, a naturally hard and protective barrier, it also helps to shield negative energy and protect our vulnerabilities from harm.
✨
The 18 Central beads
These 18 Central beads (18 on each side of the Meru bead, for 36 in total). These are sometimes decorative spacer beads set inbetween the segments, However, this mala is design facilitates a seamless flow with no spacer beads.
The Central beads represent an increase in vitality and prosperity--especially in the areas of life the corresponding gemstones resonate 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 a 6mm light pink rose quartz.
✨Metaphysical properties of rose quartz:
Rose quartz is a wonderful stone known for its gentle and loving energy. Rose quartz is said to calm the nervous system, enhance self-esteem, self-love, and self-confidence, while attracting loving and supportive relationships.
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 mother of pearl.
The Meru Bead
As discussed above, the meru or “mountain” bead (also referred to as the “guru bead” or “focal 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 and intimate connection to the True Teacher to which we are all eternal students: the divine, creative, universal, energy of life itself.
In this mala, I have used an extra large 20mm rose quartz bead. It has wonderful light pink translucency and a very subtle sparkle in bright light. I have also added the classic mala tassel at the end, made of white and pink silk.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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. They come in a beautiful pouch, with a handwritten thank 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