Carnelian: The Here-and-Now Stone

My partner, Joyce, could never decide on a path for her life. At the time when her questioning about her future direction was at its most intense, she went to a psychic fair and became attracted to a carnelian ring, which she bought. After she'd been wearing it for a short while she became increasingly attracted to crystals in general, and decided that what she'd most like to do would be to open a crystal store.

For those who have trouble making decisions--be they big one's, like Joyce's--or which movie to see, carnelian can be a very helpful stone. It seems to have the ability to help us ground ourselves in the present, to make decisions based not on our past ("I've always done this;" "I don't like big changes") but on exactly where we are in the present moment.

Going with the Flow

A neighbor in our apartment building found a carnelian outside our door. (Crystals, although they don't have legs, have an inexplicable ability to travel). I told her that it must be hers, and mentioned that the stone is believed to help in the flow of creative energies. This excited her because she was a painter who had lately been experiencing a creative block. A few weeks later she reported that her work was flowing again.

Others have reported that carnelian has helped them improve their memory. When they've forgotten something they hold the stone, stop thinking about whatever it is that they've forgotten, and at some point their memory returns.

A special use we have for carnelians is to program them for mild, warm winters. We admit that we need to practice this a little more thoroughly, but we were fairly pleased by last winter.

Carnelian and Libra

After Gemini, the astrological sign with the most trouble making decisions is Libra. The reasons for indecision are different; Librans (their symbol is the Scales of Justice) have the ability to see both sides of a situation, and dread the possibility that they might make a choice which would be a mistake. If they're choosing between the claims of two people they are even more hesitant.

Carnelian (which has the additional virtue of warming this sometimes-cool air sign), is thus an ideal stone for a Libran.

Also see our article on Scleranthus for information on the Bach Flower Remedy which speaks to the Libran condition.

Also see StarStones for a description of the Libran astrological kit.

Carnelian is available in tumbled stones, hearts, pendants, and spheres

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