Materials:

Labradorite

Gold-plated copper

Emeralds

Rubies

Dimensions & Weight:

Length: 18 inches

Weight: 800 grams

Shipping Origin: Kathmandu, Nepal

Description:

This extraordinary Khatvanga (or tantric staff) has a carved labradorite skull as its centerpiece. The long club and trident are decorated with filigreed, gilt copper and inlaid with emeralds and rubies.

The kapala (skull-cup) and the khatvanga (trident) are considered to be two of the greatest items in the Vajrayana, especially if you are on the highest Vajrayana practitioners. In a metaphorical sense, the khatvanga is also an attribute of a wanderer. It symbolizes the practice of a wanderer: a tantric practice whereby the world is always looked on as a strange world, as though it were a place never before encountered. It is as if it is your very first time to visit the earth. As a tantric practitioner, it is quite important that you always try to develop the attitude of a wanderer in looking at the world.

The three gilt copper skulls above the labradorite main skull are: 1) the freshly severed head symbolizes the nirmanakaya, and the emptiness of cause; 2) the decaying head symbolizing the sambhogakaya, and the emptiness of effect; and 3) the completely exposed skull symbolizing the dharmakaya, and the emptiness of phenomena. The trident represents the Three Jewels and the Buddhas of past, present, and future.

(Labradorite is associated with shamanism, the ancient form of spirituality where healing is achieved in parallel planes of existence and different state of consciousness. It can help you connect to your subconscious where you can gain knowledge about yourself and the world around you. It can protect you from negative influences by removing energy that does not belong near you. When these negative influences are removed, you will feel strengthened, and your fears will be alleviated. This is why some people see labradorite as a stone that grants willpower and self-confidence. It can also calm your mind and fuel your imagination which can lead to new ideas and insights. These ideas will come to fruition through analysis and your rational mind. Your newly cleared mind can easily pierce illusions, not just those of others, but more importantly illusions you hold yourself. These illusions are holding you back and shattering them, while bringing some pain in the short term, will bring about positive change in your life. As labradorite calms your mind, it will bring balance to your life – allowing you to work better with other people and let go of your ego. Another meaning of labradorite is that as a stone of luck. It can pull good fortune in your direction.)