the hermit

Carnelian is one of my favorite rocks...
Partly because in many ancient birthstone lists it is considered to be the stone for August and Virgonians

It's classified as a chalcedony which makes this is yet another microscopically grained quartz family rock.

The colors range from orange to red-brown to red and it is often mistaken for it's cousin, red jasper but it's banding helps distinguish the two. It is similar to red agate (another chalcedony banded rock) but it’s banding is normally fairly straight, unlike the curved and looping banding usually found in agate.

It’s powers are said to promote peace, protection, healing, eloquence, courage and sexual energy.

As with other red stones, it is consider to be projective energy wise and thus many believe it is useful for astral projection as well as energy warding. Cunningham mentions it’s possible use as a thought shield.

I carry carnelian in my little “rock bag” in my pocket along with various other stones and crystals. I also find the stones useful in grounding my decks and often place one on top of a deck after a reading or while waiting between clients at fairs and gatherings.

Starfish

I have a lovely carnelian heart pendant - it's colors are wonderfully warm and soothing. I am a Libra - and have problems making decisions , especially for myself. I was told by a friend that Carnelian is a perfect stone for a Libra (she's a Gemini who also has problems with decision making ) and I do find that it helps ground me in the here and now and I often wear this necklace when I need to focus and do some decision making. Plus, I love that my DH purchased it for me. He knew that I wanted a carnelian necklace (not really understanding why) and just before he first placed it around my neck, he kissed the stone and said that it symbolized his love (kiss on the heart shaped stone). So sweet. I try and remember this particular memory when I'm angry with him...

Starfish

__________________
Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance?
- - -Phyllis Diller

DarkElectric

Carnelian!
I love this stone too.
I have a beautiful Carnelian chip necklace, and I find myself looking to Carnelian when I need a boost of courage. This stone always makes me feel brave! Confidence and warmth are also feelings I get from this stone. I attract all kinds of good stuff when I wear it, my energy level does not deplete, and I feel really good, and happy. It also makes me feel strong. In fact, I'm wearing it now!

__________________
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" Hunter S. Thompson

All Is One

I wondered if Carnelian works best for certain astrological signs..which is what I hear... Cancers in particular?

And Dark E~ what effect does it have on your music...composing or playing an old fav again?

(never got back toyou the other day, did I? It was a cool life you decribe

Creativity is one of the gems with out price.

(OK- odd quote, and strange paraphrase...


Oh well- worked for me)

~AIO

__________________
That very night in Max's room a forest grew, and grew, and grew until his ceiling hung with vines and the walls became the world all around. ~ Maurice Sendak, from "Where The Wild Things Are"

"I'm such a wonderful, shiny, sparkly person." ~Faunabay

Starfish

AIO -

I've got a chart that I received from a store I purchased stones at a while back. Carnelian is listed as one of Scorpio's stones.

Cancer's stones are listed as moonstone, citrine, peridot, sodalite, clear quartz. Not to mention ruby, the birth stone

Starfish

__________________
Housework can't kill you, but why take a chance?
- - -Phyllis Diller

catlin

I also have several necklaces made of Carnelian.

Carnelian is a sun related stone (did you know that the deep red colour is given by exposing it to sunlight or fire?).

I think even the Greek and Romans associated this stone with charnal matters thus the name Carnelian (Greek = "flesh"). I use this stone for ppl who need a kind of "boost" in their life or I use it in Mars rituals.

DarkElectric

Ya know, I never experimented with Carnelian and music before, as the sax hangs around my neck, and I can't wear neckaces. But, I'll have to pick up a few loose ones, and keep them on me next time I play, to see what happens!

__________________
"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro" Hunter S. Thompson

the hermit

actually... the red color comes from the iron in the stone and deep reds are found naturally.

but you're also correct in that many polished and mounted carnelian gem stones are "enhanced" by heat (which, by the way is quite a common and legal practice and simply mimics the process the rocks are often subjected to deep in the earth... that is, heat and pressure) AND lighter colored stones can become a darker red if left exposed to sunlight for a long enough period. even tumbling the stones can cause some heat and thus sometimes deepen their color.

Faerie Lin

Yay for carnelian!!

My pendulum is a carnelian stone (it had a sticker that said HEALING on it also). I haven't used it in a while! I need to start back up, and use it with my decks!!!! Now I am thinking about leaving it out in the sun to darken it a little!

Hmmm I have TMJ, maybe I should try to work with the pendulum on that.

lin