Malas are intentional meditational jewelry, but they’re also just really pretty and very trendy. Usually made up of 108 beads made of meaningful stones, mala necklaces help wearers have something to meditate on, pass through the hands while counting, remind of mantras, set intentions.
Or, again, they’re just pretty for a dirty hippie faux celeb. My grandma has had a mala necklace for years (I don’t think she knew it) that I claimed a few years ago, made of gorgeous tiger eye stones. Unfortunately, the thread it was tied with kept breaking (given it was probably 30-50 years old, understandable). Luckily, I have a very talented jewelry-making friend who retied it for me.
Tiger’s eye means something along the lines of: Tiger’s Eye is a stone of protection that is also very stabilizing and grounding. It enhances integrity, willpower, self-confidence, practicality and correct use of power. It is a stone that enhances good luck, and brings prosperity, often in the form of money. Tiger’s eye is also a very protective stone which is especially protective during travel. It can also help one see clearly without illusion. Tiger’s eye brings a special boost to the solar plexus chakra and to one’s personal power.
Looks like my friend fixed my mala at just the right time! I could use all of the above in my life.
This friend makes fabulous (non-mala) jewelry at thepointedarrow.com—handmade jewelry with a spiritual, outdoorsy bent.
If you want a traditional mala, I also ordered one from malaprayer.com, which donates 20% to charity but also manages to be really affordable, especially with the $10 off code with this link (all that hand-knotting can get really expensive!). Mine pictured to the left is no longer available.
It’s just nice to have a reminder around your neck of what you’re focusing on—be it mantra, intention, or just plain looking good.