This time we want to offer our readers some more information about Malas, and the substances used to make them. For many centuries, minerals, crystals and gemstones have been used by civilizations in spiritual rituals and for their energetic healing properties. Each is believed to carry it’s own individual quality or “personality.” While different traditions ascribe different traits to them, they are, almost always, held as sacred and used to strengthen particular energies inside the person wearing them.
For a (mala) rosary, the best substances are jewels. Seeds are second best. Then clay, stones, bone, and wood.
African Jade activates the heart chakra to calm anxiety and high emotions as well as strengthens capacity to share love.
Agate is known for its grounding, centering and balancing properties and it improves mental concentration and perception.
Amazonite is said to balance feminine and masculine energy, promote the inclination to kindness, to aid in clear communication, balance emotions, and increase physical stamina.
Amethyst is considered sacred to Buddha, possibly due to its ability to activate and balance the 6th chakra (third eye).
Apatite is said to enhance creativity, acceptance, balance, healing, and to help us to see the truth about ourselves.
Aquamarine is known for its ability to clear the mind, aid creativity and to balance the emotions.
Aventurine is said to be the stone of luck, and to increase perception and creative insight.
The Bodhi Seed signifies the Buddha’s attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi Tree. While especially revered by Buddhists, a bodhi seed mala is considered auspicious to use for all practices, and represents spiritual promise, dedication and faith.
Bone is a traditional material used in malas in both Nepal and Tibet.
Brass promotes healing, attracts prosperity, and provides protection against negative energy. This powerful metal promotes friendship, love and inner goodness.
Carnelian is said to open the second (sexual) chakra to promote passion, creativity, motivation, self-confidence and self-esteem. It also is believed to help heal physical wounds, cure blood disorders, treat sexual disorders, and to stop bleeding.
Citrine is both physically and mentally energizing, stimulating openness and accelerating the awakening of the mind. Citrine symbolizes light-heartedness, joy, happiness, wisdom and peace, and is said to enhance creativity.
Coral is an aid to meditation and it brings happiness. It can ease depression and protects against curses and nightmares. Coral brings courage and can help one avoid violence.
Crystal Quartz is know as a stone of harmony, and is referred to as a "Master Healer" stone. It is also said to clarify thought processes and emotions, which can increase inspiration and creativity. It can also help particularly with concentration, studying, and memory retention.
Ebony is a dark durable wood that has strong protective qualities, especially for the home and one’s love life. Traditionally used for sacred objects, Ebony has long been the favorite wood among the royalty in India.
Fluorite is purported to help the evolution of harmonious, peaceful and organized spiritual growth.
Garnet lends vitality and strength, aids in raising and directing the flow of kundalini energy and increases sensuality.
Gold brings wealth, success and good health. It increases confidence and will power.
Green Garnet is considered a powerful healing gemstone for the heart chakra, and is able to remove toxins, negativity and traumas.
Hematite is said to protect the vital energy of the body.
Howlite opens and prepares the mind to receive the energies and wisdom of attunements. Howlite is a lovely stone to use when needing to reduce anxiety, tensions and stress. Howlite can be used to facilitate awareness, encourage emotional expression and assist in the elimination of pain, stress and/or rage.
Jade helps one cherish ones desires and to build ones dreams in this physical reality, inspiring one to accomplishment. Yellow Jade cultivates inner peace, joy and happiness, and helps one to realize the interconnectedness of all Life. Yellow Jade is also known to improve assimilation, digestion, understanding and empathy. White Jade and Green Jade carry the properties of turning dreams into reality and inspiring one to accomplishment.
Jasper is thought to bring one what they need, aid in attaining a sound sleep, increase the ability to feel joy and carries a protective power. It is a stabilizing and balancing stone.
Kunzite is said to release stress, anger and fear, smooth out knotted muscles, and calm nerves.
Kyanite is a powerful stone to align all of the 7 chakras, and it also has a strong effect on the third eye to facilitate deep states of meditation and visualization. Kyanite is also known to promote communication, honesty, tranquility and dream recall.
Labradorite creates mental and physical balance while helping to purge negative thought patterns. It is also said to detoxify the body and is believed to elevate consciousness and promote meditation.
Lava Stone is solidified fiery volcanic rock that embodies strength and fertility, and helps to dissipate anger.
Lapis lazuli is an ancient spiritual stone reputed to bring about harmony in relationships and to cleanse the mental body while releasing old karmic patterns.
Lepidolite is sometimes referred to as the Peace Stone, as it's know for protecting from negativity and outside influences, relieving stress, and attracting good luck!
Lotus Seed symbolizes spiritual growth and the ability to rise above obstacles on the path to spiritual enlightenment. Lotus seed also promotes spiritual and material prosperity.
Magnesite is known to cultivate resilience and patience as well as helping to improve creative visualization and imagination.
Mawsitsit is one of the rarest green gemstones on the planet. It's only found in one location in the world. It is famous for its deep lush greens with black streaks or spots and is often compared with Jadeite because both stones are mined in the same location.
Moonstone is thought to bring good luck and the ability to grant wishes. Considered sacred in India, this stone is known for its ability to soothe and balance the emotions and for healing all female health problems.
Mother of Pearl has been prescribed for thousands of years to treat heart palpitations, dizziness and high blood pressure.
Obsidian is very often used for gaining clear insight into problems and is considered a stable stone, bringing stability to its owner.
Onyx is purported to help eliminate apathy, stress and negative thinking. It is used to change habits, in addition to helping concentration levels and aiding absent-mindedness.
Palmwood is said to symbolize evolution and growth.
Pearls symbolize purity, love and happiness and are said to attune all 7 chakras and bring a soft, healing energy during meditation. They represent grace, purity, truth, happiness, compassion, and integrity. Pearls promote healing power, soothing the nervous system and promoting self-esteem and emotional balance. Pearls can be Pink, White or Black.
Pyrite is a powerful protection stone which shields and protects against all forms of negativity. Commonly called “fool’s gold,” this prosperity stone allows one to see behind false facades and enhances intellect and memory.
Quartz is said to be the universal healing stone, reputed to promote hope, happiness and optimism.
Rosewood (Red Sandalwood) is used to call upon Lord Ganesh “the remover of obstacles” and the Divine Mother. Rosewood is warming, improves circulation and protects one from negative energy.
Rubies are a symbol of devotion and love and are considered to stimulate sexual passion and creation. Rubies are extremely powerful for healing chakras and to promote health, wealth and wisdom.
Rudrakshas are known to promote inner peace, knowledge, power and enlightenment and represent the meditative powers of Shiva to focus the mind and remove the demons of desire, lust and attachment.
The fragrance of the Sandalwood is said to be one of the most pleasing to the Gods and is considered cooling, calming and soothing. Sandalwood also promotes humility and focuses the mind to aid in meditation.
Silver is soothing, cleansing and is is also purported to attract, enhance and store the energies of gemstones.
Sodalite stimulates the pituitary gland, which opens up your spiritual perception.
Tigers Eye is said to help focus the mind, bringing protection, good fortune/luck, and insight
Tourmaline is known to have strong protective and healing powers. Green Tourmaline inspires creativity and attracts success and prosperity. Black Tourmaline is a grounding stone helps to balance the body and mind to cultivate physical healing and good health.
