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The Magic of Rocks and Stones

Carnelian 

Written and compiled by - Patricia Jean Martin

Carnelian is a form of Quartz, the most common form of rock in the Earth's crust.  Specifically, geologists classify Carnelian as a Chalcedony; a member of the cryptycrystalline or microcrystalline group within the Quartz family.  Cryptocrystalline crystals are too small to be seen, even with a microscope.   

Having the same chemical make up as Agate, when Carnelian grades into brown it is known as Sard.  When it contains bands of white, it is known as Sardonyx.  In addition, some very dark brown Carnelian can be classified as Jasper.  The distinction between these is very fine and relies more on visual appearance than scientific analysis.  As a result, it is very possible that one man's Carnelian may be another man's Sard, Agate or Jasper.  Chemically, Carnelian is composed of Silicon Dioxide, SiO2, and gets its red color from Hematite (Iron-Oxide, FeO2) impurities.  Many Carnelians offered today are Agates which are dyed and then heat treated.  Natural Carnelian will usually exhibit a cloudy distribution of color. 

The name Carnelian heralds from the Latin word "carnis" and translates to "flesh," probably noted as one of the many shades of the stone.  Another name for Carnelian was Cornelian, most likely derived from the Latin word "cornum" meaning "cherry".  Carnelian's translucent color ranges from yellow-orange to reddish-brown to a deep red, and is enhanced by exposure to the sun.   

Occurring in the cavities of many forms of rock, Carnelian most often develops from the silica-rich soils which solidified at low temperatures.  It typically forms in nodules, cone-shaped masses or groups of stalactites which radiate outward from a central axis.  India has some of the oldest Carnelian deposits, especially around Bengal, Deccan and Ratnapur.  Indian Carnelian is most often a very strong reddish-brown color. 

General Information:  

*Chemistry:  SiO2 (Silicon Dioxide). Chalcedony, a variety of Quartz, with FeO2 (Hematite) impurities.  

*Class:  Silicates 

*Group:  Quartz 

*Color:  Translucent yellow-orange to reddish-brown. 

*Luster: Vitreous.  

*Crystal System:  Trigonal; Tetrahedral. 

*Crystal Habit:  Cryptocrystalline.  

*Cleavage:  Absent. 

*Fracture:  Conchoidal. 

*Hardness:  7.0 

*Specific Gravity:  2.60 

*Streak:  White 

*Other Characteristics:  Can be fibrous in appearance. 

*Notable Occurrences:  India, Brazil, Arabia.  

*Best Field Indicators:  Crystal habit, color and hardness. 

*Uses: Ornamental. Gem stone.  

Myths and Lore: 

Many sources report that Carnelian be a powerful activator to the second Chakra, called the Sacral Chakra, which relates to a sense of Self... along with the five senses, creativity, reproduction, sexuality and self-gratification. 

Carnelians were used in Ancient Egyptian magick as protection for both the living and the dead.  A Carnelian in the form of the "tjet," symbol of Mother Isis, was placed on the neck of a mummy to ensure the protection, safe passage, and rebirth of the spirit in the afterlife.  Another Carnelian amulet was the Eye of Horus, which is still believed to offer protection against the evil eye.  In Roman times, Carnelian was engraved with the head of a lion or a great leader. 

Magickal uses of Carnelian include using it as a focus for past life work and for finding a "twin soul" or family.  It is good for all love and sex rites, especially to rekindle or increase passion that has begun to fade.  Fire magick is also more effective if you circle a red candle with several Carnelians. 

Mentally, Carnelian can improve analytical abilities and can clarify perception.  It removes extraneous thoughts during meditation and sharpens concentration.  Emotionally, this stone is a powerful protector against envy, rage and esentment...yours or other people's.  It calms anger and banishes negativity, replacing it with a love of life. 

Goethe wrote:

"Carnelian is a talisman,

It brings good luck to child and man;

If resting on an onyx ground,

A sacred kiss imprint when found.

It drives away all evil things;

To thee and thine protection brings.

The name of Allah, king of kings,

If graven on this stone, indeed,

Will move to love and doughty need.

From such a gem a woman gains

Sweet hope and comfort in her pains".

Cleanse and charge Carnelian with sunlight.  They can be used to dispel negativity from other crystals and stones. 

Carnelian is associated with the Zodiac sign of Virgo, but has also been associated with Taurus, Cancer and Leo.  Under the Hebrew, Roman and Arabic birthstones it is also known as an alternate for August; Peridot being the traditional. 

Metaphysical Properties: 

Astrological Sign(s):  Taurus, Aries, Cancer & Leo. 

Element: Fire & Earth 

Sacral Chakra (though known to work from Root, and above Sacral to Solar Plexus and Heart). 

Strength, confidence and personal power. 

Courage. 

Enhances physical energy. 

Self-motivation. 

Communication. 

Creativity. 

Self-actualization, self-esteem. 

Heightens Sexuality/Sensuality. 

Emotional warmth and expression of feelings. 

Stimulates curiosity and analytical precision. 

Dispels rage, anger, or envy. 

Banishes sorry and depression. 

Repels negativity. 

Brings acceptance. 

Rebirth, reincarnation and past life recall. 

Lends ambition and drive to career. 

Gives physical aid in treating:  Blood disorders. Kidneys, kidney stones, emotional disfunction, sexuality, physical energy, reproductive system and infertility, menstrual problems, arthritis, gall bladder, gall stones, pancreas, asthma, allergies.  Helps relieve lower back pain. 

*NOTE:  Stone therapy should NOT take the place of medical evaluation and procedures, and should be used merely to enhance one's health and well-being. 

My own thoughts and experiences: 

I'd read somewhere that if you put a piece of Carnelian under your tongue, it would make you speak with eloquence and precision.  Well, I tried it, and it didn't make me speak any more eloquently.  In fact, the most it did was to further jumble my words.. (maybe I should have used a much smaller stone?..lol).. and the only other thing it afforded me at that moment was some fun with my tongue twirling around the smooth, slippery, cool stone I'd placed inside my mouth. 

Through the experience though, something more useful came to me.  It led me to think of how it is much too easy for someone to take the vast array of descriptive words assigned to each rock, crystal or stone, and to think or hope for some totally different experience from what the stone will in actuality do for you.  For instance, taking the word "communicative" or the phrase "helps one to communicate better," as Carnelian is supposed to facilitate.  That word or phrase is left open to blanket interpretations.  To one, it may mean to speak one's mind out loud.  To another, it may mean to express oneself better through dance.  And to another it may signify communication through prose...or perhaps art or music.   

Personally, I found that none of the above modes of communication came to me through the power of Carnelian.  What did come to me, though, was action.  Carnelian helps you to communicate bodily..through movement and inuendo.  It makes you incorporate your motions into your everyday practices...(well okay, it's not everyday that I put a stone in my mouth), and will stimulate you to find alternate routes to the root.. (*by* perhaps putting a stone in your mouth <g>).  This route-to-the-root method can and will take place through active and tactile involvement.   

There is a sensuality to Carnelian, and it does not hesitate to share that side of itself with you.  Its lightness in weight -- lighter than any of its other close relatives -- will in turn lighten your emotional state, decrease stress, and even repel anger, all allowing for a more creative and attraction (the art of attracting) side of you to blossom.   

Carnelian's bright orange color -- being at the same time both warm and vibrant -- is a mixture of fiery, lusty, and heady passionate red intermingled within the joyful, bright and stimulating offerings of yellow.  Because it is this seductive combination of these two primary colors encapsulated in a cloudy nebula-like web inside the stone, it very readily displays the heated suggestion that two may become one when they embrace.  Therein lies just one of the many sexuality-enhancing gifts of Carnelian. 

So in conclusion...  In our quick and fast-paced world of instant everything, do we often enough stop to think that there may be more than the one or two interpretations that popped into the forefront of our minds through the implication of this adjective or that?  I'd venture to say most often not.  And this is why I believe that it is best to perform an up-close and personal tête-à-tête and touch with our crystal companions.  And if with them, why not with everything in our lives?  Thank you, Carnelian. 

End.

Sources: 

"The Crystal Bible" ~ Judy Hall 

"Love Is In the Earth" ~ Melody 

http://jaderockshop.com/NEWS 6.htm 

http://www.sobrietystones.com/resources/GemBook/Stones/meanings_gemstones_carnelian.htm 

http://www.themysticeye.com/info/carnelian.htm 

http://www.emporia.edu/earthsci/amber/go340/gb.htm 

© Patricia Martin 

Website:  http://www.peacefulpaths.com/   

Best wishes and Blessed Be