Countries of origin: Brazil, Russia, India, Australia, Madagascar, South Africa, Uraguay, USA, UK, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Peru, Iceland, Romania
Hardness on Mohs scale 7
Rarity: Common
Zodiac Signs: Cancer, Leo
Chakras: Root, sacral
Planet: Sun
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Carnelian meaning
The name carnelian comes from the Latin word for flesh due to its deep orangey red colour.
What does carnelian look like?
Carnelian's colour varies from a lighter orange to a darker, reddish orange. It's a translucent stone, so you can see light passing through it but wouldn't be able to make out detailed shapes.
What is carnelian used for?
The Egyptians used this crystal to protect souls on their way to the afterlife. People have been crafting jewellery out of carnelian for thousands of years and it was often used as a amulet for protection. Napoleon found an octagonal, inscribed carnelian seal on the battlefield in Egypt. He wore this ring at all times before leaving it to his nephew.
Today there are many different ways to incorporate carnelian into your life, whether you are looking for a big geode, tiny minimalist stud earrings or anything in between. Carnelian is an incredibly beneficial semi-precious stone, read on to find out how it could benefit you.
What does the Bible say about carnelian?
The Bible mentions carnelian by several different names, including sardius. The quote below has many different interpretations, but most agree that the crystals in the description are symbolic. However, what they are thought to symbolise varies.
Cleansing and charging carnelian
You should cleanse all crystals when you first get them, and then regularly cleanse them afterward to keep them working at full power. Two common ways to cleanse crystals are with water and sunlight.
Is carnelian sensitive to water?
Carnelian is safe to put in water, but only freshwater as saltwater can damage this crystal. When salt mixes with water, it gets into tiny holes on the surface of the stone that are invisible to the human eye and stays there even after the water has dried.
Does carnelian fade in the sun?
Carnelian is fine to put in the sun. Just don't leave it there for more than a few hours, especially if you're in a place with really strong sunlight.
For a more comprehensive guide check out this blog post: How to Cleanse and Charge Crystals
Carnelian healing properties
Physical healing properties
Relieves headaches, nose bleeds, rheumatism, neuralgia and pain. Assists with the absorption of vitamins and minerals. Great for circulation, blood, lower back disorders, bones and ligaments. Supports the kidneys, heart and female reproductive organs. Improves metabolism, wounds and impotence.
Emotional and mental healing properties
This gemstone helps you to move on from abuse, negative emotions and resentment. It also eases anger, rage and envy. It boosts motivation, analytic ability, concentration and memory. It also encourages courage and vitality.
Metaphysical properties
This gemstone assists with making positive life choices, boosts creativity, self-trust and grounding, removes irrelevant thoughts during mediation, overcomes negative conditioning, removes the fear of death, and attracts success and abundance.
Affirmations for carnelian
Making use of affirmations alongside crystals is a great way to set your intention and further personalise your journey of healing and growth. To start, decide which of the many properties of carnelian you feel you need in your life right now. Then, write down your affirmation as if it has already happened, in the present tense. Remember to keep your affirmation positive; rather than “I do not easily anger in stressful situations” write “I am calm in stressful situations”.
Here are some examples you can use:
Where do you put carnelian in your home?
Carnelian is an excellent crystal to have in the kitchen. Not only will it boost creativity and help you come up with amazing dishes, but it will also encourage success. The kitchen is a place where a lot of hard work takes place, both in the form of cooking and cleaning. Carnelian's ability to increase motivation and keep you going is very handy in this situation. You can also place carnelian by the front door to welcome abundance into your home.
Which chakra is carnelian good for?
The beautiful red/orange colouring of carnelian crystals make them perfect for balancing and energizing the sacral and root chakras. Place a carnelian on either of these chakras during meditation for an extra boost of energy.
How do you use Carnelian for healing?
Carnelian can be placed either in an area of your house or within your energy field.
To be within your energy field a crystal can be:
- Placed near you
- In your pocket, wallet, purse or bag
- Worn as jewellery or an accessory
The crystal’s energy will now be working to heal, improve your life.
Another option is to meditate with carnelian. You can either place it on one of your chakras or hold it in your hands. This is especially powerful if you have a particular healing property you wish to receive.
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