{"product_id":"rose-quartz-mala","title":"Rose Quartz Mala with Rudraksha Beads","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis traditional 108-bead mala pairs soft pink 8mm rose quartz beads with earthy rudraksha seed beads, finished with a rudraksha guru bead. It's strung without knots between the beads, so they glide smoothly through your fingers during mantra practice. They don't catch or snag, so you can just keep counting your way to bliss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhy 108?\u003cbr\u003eThe number 108 is sacred in Hindu tradition. Some explain it as the 12 zodiac signs multiplied by the 9 planets, others as the 27 lunar mansions multiplied by their 4 quarters. There are also 108 Upanishads and 108 names for many deities. One full trip around the mala is one complete round of practice. Math has never been this spiritual.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout the Guru Bead:\u003cbr\u003eThe guru bead (also called the meru or sumeru) is where the two ends of the mala meet. It marks the start and end of each round, and it isn't counted. It honors the teacher, or Mount Meru, the axis of the world. In many traditions you don't cross over it. When you reach it, you turn the mala around and count back the other way. Think of it as the spiritual equivalent of \"no U-turn,\" except you *have* to.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Rose Quartz:\u003cbr\u003eKnown as the stone of unconditional love, rose quartz is closely tied to the heart chakra. It's treasured for encouraging self-love, compassion, forgiveness, and emotional healing, especially when you're working through grief or rebuilding trust. In Greek lore, the stone blushed pink when Aphrodite cut herself on a briar while rushing to save her lover Adonis, and their mingled blood stained the white quartz. Talk about a dramatic origin story.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbout Rudraksha:\u003cbr\u003eRudraksha beads are the seeds of the \u003cem\u003eElaeocarpus ganitrus\u003c\/em\u003e tree, which grows in the Himalayan foothills and Southeast Asia. The name means \"tears of Rudra.\" According to Hindu tradition, Lord Shiva awoke from a long, deep meditation, and the tears that fell from his eyes grew into the very first rudraksha tree. These sacred seeds have been worn and used in prayer for centuries, and they're valued for supporting concentration, spiritual awareness, and protection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combo: Rose quartz softens the heart, and rudraksha anchors the mind. Together they make a mala for loving-kindness meditation, self-love mantras, or reminding yourself to be nice to you for once.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse it for:\u003cbr\u003e- Japa (mantra) meditation: Start next to the guru bead and move one bead per repetition until you've completed all 108.\u003cbr\u003e- Breathwork: One bead, one breath. Repeat until zen.\u003cbr\u003e- Wearing: Drape it around your neck or wrap it around your wrist as a reminder to lead with your heart.\u003cbr\u003e- Altar work: Lay it on your altar during love, self-care, or heart-healing rituals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDetails:\u003cbr\u003e- 108-bead mala\u003cbr\u003e- 8mm rose quartz crystal beads\u003cbr\u003e- 10 rudraksha seed beads, including the guru bead\u003cbr\u003e- Strung without knots between beads\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRose quartz to love yourself, and Shiva's tears for when you forget to.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"New Age Imports","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44515518873798,"sku":"M011","price":24.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0497\/3461\/5198\/files\/qq00-gjm-41.jpg?v=1791387768","url":"https:\/\/madamemeerkat.com\/products\/rose-quartz-mala","provider":"Madame Meerkat's Cabinet of Curiosities","version":"1.0","type":"link"}