Aether: God of the Upper Air

This 27 Bead Pocket mala is part of our Air Collection. This pocket mala is a quarter the size of a traditional 108 Bead Tibetan mala, it contains 27 beads plus 3 marker beads (not to be counted in meditation), and a guru bead and silk tassel. This particular mala is comprised of Rainbow Moonstone, Sodalite, and Blue Aventurine beads, with Quartz Crystal marker beads and Aquamarine guru bead. The tassel is 100% spun silk in variegated shades of blue and white. This pocket mala has been hand-knotted with blue Nylon thread for its strength and durability, especially important when working with natural stones, as their hard edges can sometimes rub against and weaken other threads such as cotton or silk. All of our malas are hand-knotted between each bead, which protects your beads should the mala ever break. It also helps alleviate potential damage caused by beads rubbing against each other.

This design features a scaled version of the same pattern used in our traditional tibetan full size malas, but is broken into three sections of 9 instead of four sections of 27. The design is intentionally split with the Blue aventurine and Sodalite on the bottom acting as the clear blue sky, while the moonstone on the top portion symbolizes the clouds above. It is also available in a beautiful Triratna pattern emphasizing groupings of three (Please note that the Triratna pattern has marker beads between each set of 3, to be counted in meditation, and therefore does not feature extra uncounted marker beads). In addition to the sacred symbolism of the number 108 (and therefore the number 27), the number 3 is sacred in Buddhism as well. In Buddhism, the number 3 can be seen to represent the Three Jewels (the Triratna) that make up Buddhism. These are: The Buddha, The Dharma (The body of teachings that describe Buddhist doctrine and belief), and The Sangha (The group of people who follow the Buddha and his teachings).

If you are looking for a matching bracelet to wear without a tassel, please see the link below for our Intention Bracelets!

Note: This Pocket Mala is available with either 6mm or 8mm beads. Some people choose to use them as travel size meditation malas at a compact quarter size of a full 108 beads, while other people prefer to wear them on their wrist to benefit from the metaphysical properties. Please keep in mind that because the thread is not elastic, this mala is not adjustable. Therefore, it may or may not fit over your fist to slide onto your wrist. Sizes are as follows:

6mm - 6.25" (inside circumference) - 7.5" (full length including tassel)
8mm - 9" (inside circumference) - 10.25" (full length including tassel)

Please note that due to the unique, hand-knotted nature of our jewelry, sizes may vary slightly from one piece to another. Please specify bead size and pattern preference (Standard or Triratna) during checkout.

Aether: God of the Upper Air

In Ancient Greece, Aether was the primordial god of light and the bright, blue ether of the heavens. His mists filled the space between the solid dome of the sky and the transparent mists of the earth-bound air. In the evening his mother Nyx drew her dark veil across the sky, obscuring the ether and bringing night. In the morn his sister and wife Hemera dispersed night's mist to reveal the shining blue ether of day. In the ancient cosmogonies night and day were regarded as elements separate from the sun. The word in Homeric Greek means "pure, fresh air" or "clear sky". In Greek mythology, it was thought to be the pure essence that the gods breathed, filling the space where they lived, analogous to the air breathed by mortals.

Natural Stone Properties

All of our malas are made with genuine high quality semi-precious stones that each carry their own special and specific energetic properties to help you attract or overcome certain feelings, thoughts and emotions. This mala's metaphysical properties include:

-Protection for travelers
-banishes negativity
-improves creativity
-calms anxiety
-promotes inner-strength
-aids in overcoming bad habits
-enhances concentration
-increases awareness
-purifies and cleanses

-Rainbow Moonstone
As ancient as the moon itself, Moonstone holds a powerful mystery locked beneath its pearly veil. Since the earliest times, Moonstone has been used in amulets of protection for travelers, as a gift of lovers for passion, a channel for prophecy, and a path to wisdom. Like the cyclical cadence of the moon itself, Moonstone calms and encourages us, teaching us the natural rhythms of life. Sometimes known as the Traveler's Stone for the protection it affords, especially at night, Moonstone is named for its moon-like sheen. It is a Feldspar mineral exhibiting a soft, watery opaqueness and a silvery-white reflection. Rainbow Moonstone acts as a prism, displaying beautiful flashes of color with different angles of light, and diffusing energy throughout the aura. It provides psychic protection, deflecting negativity and clearing the mind and senses, and aids in lucid dreaming and calm sleep. Moonstone bestows a depth of feeling, a gentleness within the self that brings happiness to the environment in which it resides. Associated with the feminine, it enhances the intuitive side of the mind, opening the mind to hoping and wishing, inspiration and impulse, serendipity and synchronicity. It brings flashes of insight, keeping one from negatively banishing possibilities. Aligned with the Goddess, Rainbow Moonstones connects with the energies and spirits of Nature.

-Sodalite
The name sodalite comes from the Greek words soda and lithos, which means salt stone, as the stone contains a lot of salt. Sodalite was discovered in Canada in 1891 during a visit of the Royal family, which earned it the nickname ‘Princess Blue’. Throughout history it was believed that sodalite improved creativity, leading to a high use among writers and artists, earning it the nickname of the "poet's stone." The natural negativity-filtering, communication-enhancing sodalite properties are very beneficial to writers, in keeping with sodalite meaning. Sodalite mineral stones filter out negative energy and encourage a positive thought process and enhanced communication, both of which are vital to writers. Minimizing the negative facilitates a more positive view of others, helping to reveal the brighter side of an issue or person, and enhancing the ability to give someone the benefit of the doubt, so to speak. Physically, Sodalite can ease anxiety and panic attacks, mental confusion, and fear/phobias. Use Sodalite to strengthen the immune system, ease insomnia and balance metabolism.

-Blue Aventurine
Blue Aventurine combines the elements of Wind and Water in a gentle stone that resonates from the mind to the heart, working calmly, rationally, and steadily. It enhances the masculine energy in both males and females, and is a stone of self-discipline and inner strength, assisting one in making clear decisions and sticking by them. Aventurine is a variety of Quartz characterized by bright inclusions of Mica or other minerals that give a shimmering or glistening effect to the stone. As a “take charge” and “stick to it” crystal, Blue Aventurine can be highly beneficial in overcoming bad habits, such as smoking, overeating, and substance-abuse, or in dissolving negative traits, such as selfishness and passive aggression. Physically, Blue Aventurine ameliorates pain and chronic stiffness, and may help in lessening muscle twitches, spasms and facial tics. It assists in calming hyperactivity, and enhances mental focus and concentration. This crystal is beneficial in overcoming insomnia, lessens migraines and headaches, and aids the eyesight. It has a cooling effect and reduces fever; it is believed to relieve sinus problems, allergies, colds, coughs and congestion. Blue Aventurine encourages adventure at any age and is a stone of travel, helping to make desired travel plans happen and for protection against travel interruption.

-Clear Quartz
Quartz crystals are the most common and abundant in the world, comprising the largest and most diverse family in the mineral kingdom. From ancient times to the present day, quartz crystals have been valued by nearly every civilization as a source of Light to mankind. Clear Quartz, pure silicon dioxide, is also called Rock Crystal or Ice Crystal, from the Greek word "krystallos", meaning "ice", because crystal was believed to be water frozen so hard it could never thaw. It is referred to as "The Perfect Jewel," for in its sparkling light is contained the entire color spectrum. Clear Quartz amplifies whatever energy or intent is programmed into it, and continues to broadcast that energy throughout the world and into the etheric realms. This may accelerate the fulfillment of one's prayers, intensify healing or spiritual growth, or simply allow the crystal to hold a pattern of energy long enough and strongly enough for the manifestation of a goal to occur. Clear Quartz acts as a deep soul cleanser, purifying and enhancing the body's internal structure and surrounding subtle bodies to connect the physical dimension with the mind. It focuses on inner negativity and stimulates positive thoughts and feelings in its place. With a better perception of the world, Quartz increases awareness and clarity in thinking, and provides enhanced energy, perseverance and patience, teaching one to live, laugh and love with all of humanity.

mind·ful·ness

/ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/

With the constant overstimulation of our minds and the stress of everyday life, it's easy to get swept up in the chaos and forget how to be present. It's so tempting to waste our mental energy agonizing over the mistakes of our past, or worrying about the implications of the future. The only way to avoid these distractions is to be.

To practice mindfulness, simply, is to practice being- truly being- in moments as they are. When we challenge ourselves to be present, it brings our mind and body into alignment, and it becomes easier to let go of worry. Bringing your focus to your breath, feeling the air as it fills your lungs, and acknowledging and appreciating your surroundings is mindfulness in its purest state. Mindfulness involves a deep connection between soul and body. By bringing these two into harmony, we can find a stillness- stillness from which we can derive peace.

What are mala beads?

Malas are necklaces that are traditionally used in a form of meditation called Japa, found in Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. When practicing Japa, one recites a mantra (either vocally or internally) 108 times. The number 108 holds a great amount of significance in many aspects of Buddhist culture, including the section of the Lankavatara sutra in which Bodhisattva Mahamati asks Buddha 108 questions, the 108 earthly temptations to overcome in search of Nirvana, and the 108 feelings it is believed a person can experience.

Traditional Tibetan malas have 108 beads, as well as three marker beads and a guru bead. The marker beads are not counted in the meditation, and are usually made from a different material than the others to introduce a tactile difference and assist the user in tracking their progress while meditating. The 109th stone, referred to as the guru bead, or sumeru, represents the relationship between student and teacher. Traditionally, meditations are started to the left side of the sumeru, with the beads held between the thumb and either the middle or ring finger. The index finger should be extended outwards, as it represents ego. Working clockwise, the user recites their mantra once on each bead, completing the meditation on the other side of the sumeru. It is important to note that the sumeru should not be crossed over during the course of meditation.

Note: Because each item is made to order, the time needed to prepare an order for shipping varies. We will work our best to have the item out to you as quickly as possible, but please allow up to 1-2 weeks for us to fulfill your order. If you need your item sooner, please send us a note and we will do our best to accommodate expedited orders! All of our items include tracking and ship First Class or Priority Mail (Selection available at Checkout). Once the item has been shipped, you will be sent a shipping notification with tracking information. Priority Mail packages will ship in a Small Flat Rate Box, while First Class packages will ship in a padded envelope. You should receive your item within 2-3 days (Priority) or 3-5 days (First Class).

These beads are not intended to get wet. If they are submerged in water, the tassel may begin to unravel slightly, or the organic materials, such as wood beads or seeds, may fade or change colors.


Please visit our shop for other malas in the Element Collection.

Aether 108 Bead Full Size Mala: www.etsy.com/listing/487214313/aether-moonstone-sodalite-aventurine

Aether collection: www.etsy.com/shop/AwareBoutique?ref=ss_profile&search_query=Aether

Intention Bracelets: www.etsy.com/shop/AwareBoutique?ref=ss_profile§ion_id=21758238

108 Bead Full Size Malas: www.etsy.com/shop/AwareBoutique?ref=ss_profile§ion_id=20247947

27 Bead Pocket Malas: www.etsy.com/shop/AwareBoutique/items?section_id=21770489

Hand-Drawn Note Cards: www.etsy.com/shop/AwareBoutique?ref=ss_profile§ion_id=21235480

Totes & Tees: https://www.etsy.com/shop/awareboutique?section_id=22864356

Thanks for visiting Aware Boutique!