The Shadow Protector Mala

🖤 🌒The Shadow Protector Mala🌘🖤

Materials: Natural gemstones ( Golden sheen Obsidian + nephrite jade ) hand-knotted with 100% pure silk (green), with an excellent ethically sourced, brass inlaid, black ox bone focal bead.

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This protection mala is made using natural golden sheen obsidian, Sinkiang jade, and a dramatic, ethically sourced, brass inlaid, black ox bone as a focal bead. I love how this one came out. Her subtle earth tones and protective, grounding, energy remind me of sinking one’s hands deep into the cool moist earth and fertile soil…it’s refreshing, yet rich with life, grounding, and ripe with the subtle beauty of a billion living things connected through all that they cannot see.

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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 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 8represents 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 8mm in size using natural Golden Sheen Obsidian beads

✨Golden sheen Obsidian properties:

Golden Sheen Obsidian, like all Obsidian, is excellent for scying, meditation, and spirit communication. Golden Sheen Obsidian’s striking golden hues, is particularly notable for its ability to aid in shadow shadow work, provide light, insight, and clarity, even when shrouded in darkness. The gold variety of Obsidian is particularly good for looking into the past and future and bringing to surface deep insights that are embedded into the core of whichever problem one is facing. It eliminates, ego conflict and feelings of hopelessness. It impacts spiritual knowledge and helps guide our way forward. It is also incredibly protective, keeping one shielded from malicious psycho-spiritual forces.
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The 18 Central beads

These 18 Central beads (18 on each side of the Meru bead, for 36 in total). These are sometimes set in between a decorative spacer segment, However, this mala is designed 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 earth-hued nephrite jade.

✨Metaphysical properties of  jade:

Jade is a stone of ancient wisdom, and it comes in many different colors and opacities, which all have a slightly different feeling to them. Typically split into two categories, (nephrite and Jadeite) they all reduce stress, increase focus, and attract luck…but have their own unique specializations as well. I personally find that these darker, earthy hues seem to pull energy down through you, having a cleansing and releasing effect. This jade is a type of nephrite, and is a stone of healing, used as an amulet since antiquity to protect against negative energies. Nephrite jade is said to be particularly useful at safeguarding against negative social pressures, such as blackmail, the evil eye, and gossip. It helps us to preserve our own true identity and bestows, certainty and trust in ourselves in our actions. It reduces tension and violent emotions thereby facilitating inner peace… It encourages neutrality and tolerance, both with ourselves and with others.
 

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 quality Golden Sheen Obsidian.

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 ethically sourced, brass inlaid, black ox bone for the Meru bead. Because the meru bead is a bone, once part of a living organism, it contains a link to the afterlife, to our ancestors, our origin, and the lived wisdom of the beings incarnate in this life with us. It offers connection to all that we are a part of, the natural cycles of life, death, and rebirth. 

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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