Frequently Asked Questions
What are mala beads?
Mala beads have been used for centuries; traditionally used in prayer and meditation. Simply stated, malas are strands of hand-knotted 108 beads plus a guru bead and/or a tassel. Now, we’re seeing more and more people wearing them as a necklace or a wrist wrap.
Malas can be made from gemstones that match the intention of your practice and you can benefit from their healing qualities, properties, energies and meaning. They can also be made of wood beads, often sandalwood, or rudraska seeds. At Moon Child Mala, we love to work with all of the materials.
Why 108?
There are many theories behind the significance of the number and 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. No matter who you ask, the answer will most likely be different each time! But here are my favorites. There are 108 enegry lines connecting to the heart, with one of them believed to be the path to self-realization. They are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet and each letter has a feminine and a masculine version – totaling 108. The average distance of the sun and the moon to earth is 108 times their respective diameters.
What make our products unique?
Just like every one of us is unique, you won’t find two identical malas made by Moon Child Mala, mass-production is just not our thing. We only use high-quality materials. The gemstones are as close as possible from their natural states (untreated, unheated, and non-dyed). We’re working in association with aboriginal people to have access to products you won’t find anywhere else, explaining our beautiful feathers and secret smudging herb blends. We only use vegan suede for our wraps and headbands. Our strings and tassels are 100% silk and our malas are hand-knotted (one knot between each beads) with positive energy and love in Canada. Before sending orders, we're carefully smudging and charging our products by the moon light to balance the energies.
How to use mala beads for meditation?
Start by choosing a quiet spot and sit comfortably, your spine is long and your eye are closed. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and find your intention/affirmation. If you wish, you can also use a mantra. Hang the first mala bead (the one next to the guru) gently on the middle finger of your right hand. Place your thumb on the bead and begin reciting your mantra or affirmation. At the end of your mantra/affirmation, push the mala bead with your thumb and move onto the next bead. Continue until you reach a count on 7, 21, 27 or 108. If you wish to do another round, do not skip over the guru. Instead, turn the mala around and move in the opposite direction. Be patient and kind to yourself.
How to take care of your tassel?
Silk tassels are an elegant embellishment to any mala. Tassels are used in many different cultures and their meanings can vary. One that speaks to us is that as the strings come together as one to form the tassel, it represents our connection to the divine and to each other. Silk is one of the softest fabrics on the planet and, when cared for properly, your tassels can keep their elegant shine and feel for a very long time. But sometimes, silk tassels can get a little messy, especially if you store your mala or bracelet for a long period of time. No need to get frustrated!
If your tassel is dirty, you can use a mild soap and give it a quick wash (do not drench, try a spray bottle). Lay the mala (or bracelet) and tassel flat to air dry.
If your tassel is bent, lay the tassel on a flat surface, making sure the strings are flat and place a book on top of it.
My mala broke! What should I do?
You've picked your mala with care and intention, you've worn it often. You love everything about it. Especially how it helps you to bring consciousness into different aspects of your life. And then one day it breaks. You are devastated. But a mala breaking can be an amazing thing! A mala that has been broken is called a "Mala Breakthrough" and is something to be fully celebrated. It is meant to symbolize a broken cycle, lessons learned and new beginnings. You don't "need" that mala anymore. It's a sign to bring new intentions into your life as your current ones no longer serve you. After having a mala breakthrough, it is recommended to sit and meditate on the original description and intentions of the mala and ask yourself what you want to manifest. You can gather the pieces and keep them on your altar or you can scatter the beads throughout your garden, keeping in mind the valuable lesson of non-attachment.
But sometimes accidents happen and malas get caught on clothing, babies pulled on the, etc. If you fell that you have not yet had a breakthrough and you are still supported by the intention, contact us and we will restring your mala with loving care.
Mala beads have been used for centuries; traditionally used in prayer and meditation. Simply stated, malas are strands of hand-knotted 108 beads plus a guru bead and/or a tassel. Now, we’re seeing more and more people wearing them as a necklace or a wrist wrap.
Malas can be made from gemstones that match the intention of your practice and you can benefit from their healing qualities, properties, energies and meaning. They can also be made of wood beads, often sandalwood, or rudraska seeds. At Moon Child Mala, we love to work with all of the materials.
Why 108?
There are many theories behind the significance of the number and 108 has long been considered a sacred number in Hinduism and yoga. No matter who you ask, the answer will most likely be different each time! But here are my favorites. There are 108 enegry lines connecting to the heart, with one of them believed to be the path to self-realization. They are 54 letters in the Sanskrit alphabet and each letter has a feminine and a masculine version – totaling 108. The average distance of the sun and the moon to earth is 108 times their respective diameters.
What make our products unique?
Just like every one of us is unique, you won’t find two identical malas made by Moon Child Mala, mass-production is just not our thing. We only use high-quality materials. The gemstones are as close as possible from their natural states (untreated, unheated, and non-dyed). We’re working in association with aboriginal people to have access to products you won’t find anywhere else, explaining our beautiful feathers and secret smudging herb blends. We only use vegan suede for our wraps and headbands. Our strings and tassels are 100% silk and our malas are hand-knotted (one knot between each beads) with positive energy and love in Canada. Before sending orders, we're carefully smudging and charging our products by the moon light to balance the energies.
How to use mala beads for meditation?
Start by choosing a quiet spot and sit comfortably, your spine is long and your eye are closed. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself and find your intention/affirmation. If you wish, you can also use a mantra. Hang the first mala bead (the one next to the guru) gently on the middle finger of your right hand. Place your thumb on the bead and begin reciting your mantra or affirmation. At the end of your mantra/affirmation, push the mala bead with your thumb and move onto the next bead. Continue until you reach a count on 7, 21, 27 or 108. If you wish to do another round, do not skip over the guru. Instead, turn the mala around and move in the opposite direction. Be patient and kind to yourself.
How to take care of your tassel?
Silk tassels are an elegant embellishment to any mala. Tassels are used in many different cultures and their meanings can vary. One that speaks to us is that as the strings come together as one to form the tassel, it represents our connection to the divine and to each other. Silk is one of the softest fabrics on the planet and, when cared for properly, your tassels can keep their elegant shine and feel for a very long time. But sometimes, silk tassels can get a little messy, especially if you store your mala or bracelet for a long period of time. No need to get frustrated!
If your tassel is dirty, you can use a mild soap and give it a quick wash (do not drench, try a spray bottle). Lay the mala (or bracelet) and tassel flat to air dry.
If your tassel is bent, lay the tassel on a flat surface, making sure the strings are flat and place a book on top of it.
My mala broke! What should I do?
You've picked your mala with care and intention, you've worn it often. You love everything about it. Especially how it helps you to bring consciousness into different aspects of your life. And then one day it breaks. You are devastated. But a mala breaking can be an amazing thing! A mala that has been broken is called a "Mala Breakthrough" and is something to be fully celebrated. It is meant to symbolize a broken cycle, lessons learned and new beginnings. You don't "need" that mala anymore. It's a sign to bring new intentions into your life as your current ones no longer serve you. After having a mala breakthrough, it is recommended to sit and meditate on the original description and intentions of the mala and ask yourself what you want to manifest. You can gather the pieces and keep them on your altar or you can scatter the beads throughout your garden, keeping in mind the valuable lesson of non-attachment.
But sometimes accidents happen and malas get caught on clothing, babies pulled on the, etc. If you fell that you have not yet had a breakthrough and you are still supported by the intention, contact us and we will restring your mala with loving care.
