Carnelian: Meaning, Metaphysical & Healing Properties

Carnelian: Appearance

Carnelian is translucent and offers a rich and vibrant color. Outside of the typical orange, dark orange or reddish brown color, it can also be found in pink varieties. It is sometimes found with white streaks running through it.

Meaning & Metaphysical Properties

• Carnelian promotes personal power, strength and courage.
• Carnelian is excellent for sensuality, sexual power and sex drive.
• It promotes vitality, energy and drive.
• Carnelian is also great for fertility and maintaining a healthy reproductive system.
• Carnelian helps with expressing our creative self and to helps us bring our creation to the world.
• Carnelian is great for work and business-related endeavors as it promotes concentration and the ability to think analytically.
• On an emotional level, it helps prevent emotions of envy or anger from taking hold within us.
• Carnelian can be used effectively to cleanse other crystals.

How to Work With Carnelian

Here are some ideas on how to work with carnelian in your daily life:

• Carry a small piece of carnelian in your pocket, which is close enough to your sacral chakra.
• Place a piece of carnelian on your work desk or near the area where you create art.
• Meditate with a piece of carnelian just bellow your belly button (the sacral chakra area).
• Wear it as jewelry (e.g.: bracelet, earrings,...)
• Note: It can be a good idea to avoid placing carnelian next to your bed, as its energizing properties might prevent you from falling asleep. However, it can also be a good idea to place it near your bed when it comes time for sensuality, intimacy and love-making.

Origin

Carnelian comes mainly from the following countries:

• India
• Brazil
• Russia
• Madagascar
• South Africa
• USA
• Indonesia
• UK
• Iceland
• Peru
• Romania
• Czech Republic

Sard, Agate, Chalcedony? Oh my!

Sard is another crystal that's very close to carnelian and it can be hard to make up the difference between the two. They are in fact often used interchangeably. It's usually known as sard when the color is really dark, and carnelian otherwise.

Also, agate or chalcedony is often dyed and heat-treated by gem vendors to mimic true carnelian. It can again be hard to know just by looking at a piece of carnelian, so your best bet will often be the reputation of the vendor.