Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding Astrological Bangles. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please let us know!
Where should a bangle be worn?
The main guidance for where to wear a bangle is simple that it should be worn close to the heart. Typically they are either worn just above the elbow or on the wrist. There is be a slight preference for above the elbow since it is closer to the heart, but the arms themselves are connected to the heart chakra, so either location is good. It does not matter which arm the bangle is worn on. The energetic heart (the heart chakra) is centered in the body, so neither side is closer in this sense. The left side of the body being the feminine energetically and the right side being energetically masculine also has no bearing on where the astrological bangle should be worn. Ultimately each devotee should intuit for themselves where the bangle should be worn.
Are there different sizes of bangles for different sizes of arms?
The astroloical bangle is one-size-fits-all. For those with larger arms where the bangle doesn't go all the way around the arm (especially wearing it above the elbow), a string can be tied between the ends of the bangle to secure it in place. This is very helpful to prevent work-hardening of the metals by frequent adjustment of the bangle. For those with smaller arms (or those wearing it on their wrists). The ends of the bangle will go past each other. Care should be taken in this scenario to be sure that the ends of bangle don't touch each other. This "short-circuits" the bangle and greatly reduce its effectiveness.
Why have bangles gotten so expensive?
The vast majority of the cost of a bangle is the cost of the gold. We use pure 24K (.9999) pure gold. Will gold come down in value at some point? It's impossible to know.
Why does the cost of a bangle vary?
We buy the gold for each bangle at the time of purchase and our costs are based on the current commodity pricing. The cost of gold represents the vast majority of the cost of each bangle.
Are bangles better for people with certain astrological charts or when in particular astrological periods?
No. The astrological bangle is for general purpose astrological protection. Your particular astrology doesn't matter when it comes to a bangle. Sri Yukteswar likened the bangle to a grounding rod on a house: rather than the lightening damaging the house, the grounding rod will take the hit.
How often should I anneal my bangle?
Once a year is a good rule of thumb. It can also be a good idea to anneal it after a particularly difficult chapter in your life, or at the time of a significant change in your life (a career change for example). This way the bangle is cleansed going in to your next step.
Does the three-metal bangle work the same as a Navaratna nine-gem bangle?
In a Navaratna bangle each stone is relating to a particular planet and either refining or strengthening the energy of that planet. The three-metal bangle of Sri Yukteswar works on similar principles, but is meant as a general protection against karmic events by increasing the protective aura around the wearer. Sri Yukteswar said that pure gemstones and pure metals emit an astral light. So they're working on a similar level, but just with slightly different purposes. They are in no way mutually exclusive. Many disciples on this path have both types of bangles. In fact Swami Kriyananda wore both types. As for myself, I wear the three-metal bangle as well as two rings that contain stones relating to my birth chart.