Like the unexpected fire of a sunset, or the first flash of autumn brilliance, Carnelian captivates. Its bold energy brings a rush of warmth and joy that lingers, stimulating and empowering.
Known as a stone of motivation and endurance, leadership and courage, Carnelians have protected and inspired throughout history.
Carnelian is traditionally worn to enhance passion, love, and desire. Its name comes from a Latin word meaning "flesh."
What is so attractive about Carnelian?
A glassy, translucent stone, Carnelian is an orange-colored variety of Chalcedony, a mineral of the Quartz family.
The many colors of Carnelian...
Carnelian stone, also sometimes called cornelian stone, varies in color from pale pinkish-orange to a deep rusty brown, though it is most known for its brilliant orange and red-orange crystals.
This range of colors inspired the ancient Egyptians to call the orange mineral rock "the setting sun stone."
The history of Carnelian
Carnelian entered recorded history more than 4000 years ago. This orange mineral rock was revered by ancient noblemen and noblewomen.
Ancient Babylonians, Greeks and Romans wore amulets and talismans made from carnelian stones.
Why is it called the Singer's Stone?
In antiquity, as well as today, Carnelian is believed to help timid speakers become both eloquent and bold.
Ancient Warriors wore Carnelian around their neck for courage and physical power to conquer their enemies.
What alchemists did with Carnelian...
In Egypt it was worn by master architects to show their rank of builder, and alchemists of the Middle Ages used it as a boiling stone to activate the energy of other Chalcedonies.
Merchants often used Carnelian to craft ‘seal rings’ for royalty and the upper classes, as it will separate easily from wax and clay.
Can Carnelian protect from black magic?
The ancients often believed that Carnelian was good for combating a bad temper, such as anger that was thought to be the product of black magic.
And Carnelian is known to offer protection from black magic. Many other ancient healers used Carnelian as a ailment for blood issues, as it was known as the “Blood of Isis”.
Carnelian legends
Roman Carnelian rings, or seals, engraved with deity images or fierce animals were considered both protective and lucky.
The 29th chapter of the Book of the Dead was engraved on Carnelian, as were many of the body amulets, asking for Isis and other gods to assure safe passage in their afterlife.
Carnelian, the blood of martyrs?
Carnelian also garnished the sixth foundation wall for the New Jerusalem. Its significance, according to the Archbishop of Mainz in the first century, is the venerable blood of the martyrs.
Red Carnelian is also associated with St. Bartholomew, signifying his martyrdom.
Carnelian, also called Sardius or Odem, was considered important among the Hebrews and Arabs to prevent illness. The Hebrews believed it kept them from dangers of the Plague, while the Arabs employed it as an agent to stop bleeding.
Drinking Carnelian?
John Schroder wrote in 1669, "It is a gem half transparent, like the water wherein flesh is washed; or like bloody flesh; hence it is called, Carneolus, or Cornelian - genitive flesh." He declared its powder good to drink against all fluxes, and when carried it made cheerful minds, expelled fear, created courage and protected against all poisons.
Meditation with Carnelian
When used in meditation, Carnelian assists in the understanding of how to bring a concept into being, and how to manifest it into action.
How to use Carnelian
You can wear carnelian gemstone jewelry while meditating. Also, simply holding the carnelian stones while meditating will produce good results.
What about mala prayer beads?
A mala is a string of beads which are used as a meditation tool while chanting, reciting or silently repeating a mantra. Malas help the wearer focus their mind and are often used to recite mantras in sets of 108 repetitions.
When not used for meditation, malas can help wearers carry a sense of peace, calm, mindfulness and focus with them throughout the day.
Why 108 beads?
In traditional Tibetan Buddhism, mala beads are often created using 108 beads, as a 108-bead mantra repetition represents the 108 worldly sins in the Buddhist doctrine.
How to choose your mala beads?
Wearers can choose their mala beads based on what they’re seeking from their meditation. Carnelian, for example, will improve concentration and remove extraneous thoughts in daydreamers, and during meditation.
Carnelian properties
Carnelian aids in understanding the inner self and strengthens concentration. It helps one to overcome the fear of public speaking and increases the self worth. It is told to increase and inspire courage without the unnecessary aggressiveness.
Is Carnelian good for creativity?
Carnelian is said to assist in stimulating creativity. It seems to have a clearing effect, dispelling negative energies as it replaces them with positive ones. This makes carnelian a good stone for people who feel like they are going nowhere.
Carnelian emotional healing
Carnelian is a stabilizing crystal, perfect for anchoring in the present. Its high energy helps restore lost vitality and motivation, and stimulates creativity for new pursuits.
This stone also protects against envy, rage, and resentment - yours, or from others, and encourages a love of life.
Carnelian Chakra balancing
Carnelian works most effectively on the Sacral/Navel 2nd Chakra, helping one relate to their higher sense of Self; helping to connect one with the full grasp of the five senses to enhance sexuality, reproduction, self gratification and creativity.
How does it affect the Sacral Chakra?
Carnelian, in its beautiful shades of orange, stimulates the Sacral Chakra, or Second Chakra. It is the center of the Life Force of the body, and controls the flow of information from the body to the mind and from the mind to the body.
When it is out of balance the symptoms will manifest themselves as confusion, over dependency on others, repression of feelings, inability to feel joy, fear of sensuality or sex, and frustration.
When it is in balance you have grace, feel pleasure in life, find you are flexible and can "go with the flow" and do so in good spirit.
What about the Base Chakra?
Carnelian, in gorgeous shades of red, is also a powerful ally in healing Base Chakra blockages and traumas. It is the foundation of physical and spiritual energy for the body.
When physically out of balance the symptoms will manifest themselves as lethargy, low levels of activity, low enthusiasm, and a need for constant stimulation.
When the Base Chakra is in balance, the physical body regains its strength and stamina, and spiritual energy is rekindled in the form of security and sense of one's own power. It often leads to independence and spontaneous leadership.
Carnelian spiritual energy
Carnelian is a crystal of action, overcoming procrastination or indecision. It encourages one to stop waiting for dreams to appear, and stimulates the courage to embrace change and Divine Will to begin to make one's highest goals happen.
Carnelian promotes a spiritual energy conducive to awakening one's talents and perceptions of surroundings, and for offering love in return for love.
Carnelian Talisman and Amulets
Carnelian amulets were engraved with texts out of the Book of the Dead and placed on the dead to help insure safe passage.
Carnelian and the Holy Scriptures...
The Holy Scriptures list Carnelian gemstone as one of the gems that adorned the breastplate of Aaron. He was a prophet and the first High Priest of the Israelites. In this instance, Carnelian represented the blood of the martyrs.
The Islamic prophet Mohammed wore a carnelian gemstone seal ring that brought him good luck.
And the Renaissance magic...
In Renaissance magic, the Carnelian was usually engraved with images of warriors, swords or other weapons, and used for protection against enchantments.
A Carnelian amulet was often thought to be a magical amulet and was placed in the home to guard it from lighting, storms and collapse, or carried as protection against enchantment against evil, and for attracting good luck.
Carnelian Jewelry Care and Cleaning
How to Clean your Carnelian Gemstones
Carnelian can be easily cleaned with warm soapy water and a soft cloth or brush. As with almost all gemstones, the use of harsh household chemicals should be avoided when caring for or cleaning Carnelian gemstones.
Can I wear my Carnelian stones all the time?
It is best to remove any jewelry before engaging in any strenuous physical activity, such as exercise or sports.
Carnelian quartz is considered to be very durable and has relatively good hardness (6-7 on the Moh's scale), but care should still be taken around other materials, because there are many other gem types that are harder than quartz.
Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme heat, which may cause damage to Carnelian gemstones.
How to store your Carnelian properly
When storing Carnelian gemstones, store them inside a fabric-lined box or wrapped in a soft cloth. Carnelian should be stored separately from other types of gemstone to prevent damage or scratches.