Open Magazine - Index

Open Magazine - magazine - Index

Carnelian
—the Stone of Courage
30 Open Magazine Summer 2008
by Barbara McKell RT CRA
Carnelian is a warm, energetic stone
radiating colour rays ranging from red to orange
and, in some cases, even dark brown. The amount
of iron particles dispersed in quartz crystal
determines the depth of the orange colour.
Quality carnelian comes from India. However,
Brazil, Britain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia,
Peru and Uruguay are also good sources for
this crystal.
Ancient Egyptians and Tibetans considered carnelian
as sacred because it was thought that it purified and
sanctified the body as a temple of spirit. Egyptian kings and
queens wore it because they felt it offered them courage,
strength and protection.
Carnelian is a wonderful crystal for dealing with
feminine issues and a disconnection from the power of our
Divine Feminine self. Orange is the colour ray of the sacral
chakra and carnelian is the vehicle for this ray. Carnelian is
a warming crystal that has an energizing effect on the lower
three chakras. It affects our receptivity for pleasure, passion
and sexuality, thereby overcoming frigidity and increasing
fertility. It offers the element of fire, enhancing physical energy
and personal power, while strongly influencing the reproductive
organs.
Courage and joy are the qualities of a healthy heart chakra.
Carnelian invokes laughter and warmth, opening the heart to
abundant joy. This stone’s orange ray enlivens the heart and
blood with courage and vitality. It assists with gathering the
courage, creativity and vitality you need to take the necessary
action to accomplish your goals. This stone can improve
motivation as it activates the lower chakras. Wear carnelian
when you want to become courageous, fearless and creative,
or to overcome a timid personality and take bold action to
transform your life.
Carnelian is known for working on the physical level by
stimulating one’s appetite, balancing emotion and enhancing
physical energy. It is a good balancer, allowing you to feel
grounded and comfortable with your surroundings.
For issues of courage, wear a stone at the heart. For issues
dealing with personal power, fertility and sexuality, wear it
at the navel or simply place it on your body for at least ten
minutes in the morning and ten minutes in the evening when
you are lying down.
Be sure to cleanse your stones often by running them
under water or smudging them with white sage. It is not a
good idea to cleanse carnelian in the sunlight as it will fade it
over time. The spectrum of colours that the crystals radiate is
a large factor in the healing properties they offer, so we do not
want to diminish their potency by allowing them to become
faded. By caring for your stones and crystals, you will get many
years of effective use out of them.
Please note that the use of stones and crystals to enhance
the functioning of your mind, body and spirit is not a substitute
for proper medical care.
Barbara teaches Crystal Healing classes. She is an Intuitive
Healer, Transformational Sound Therapist, Registered Teacher
with the Canadian Reiki Association and inspiring workshop
facilitator. She is founder and President of Soul Connection
Sources:
Simmons, Robert and Naisha Ahsian. The Book of Stones. Berkeley: North Atlantic
Books. 2007.
Hall, Judy. The Crystal Bible. Cincinnati: Walking Stick Press. 2003.