Somehow.. for some reason.. I’d always kind of skipped over Carnelian in my mental collection of crystal obsessions (which is, undeniably, vast and chaotic). 



It remained to me in the cache of tumbled rocks you pick up in a gift shop.. its color just SO vibrant, so alluring- I almost didn’t trust it. 🧐

Is it coincidental that I’ve spent many years soft-core avoiding Sacral Chakra work? …..Maaaaaaaaybe? 

Whatever the reason- in the pit of winter, in upstate New York, during days when the temperature often begins with a “1” or a “2”.. it suddenly felt like the right time to peel back the onion layers on this fiery form of Chalcedony. 

Pour a spicy cup of tea and join me, will you…? 

Carnelian can range from a deep, brownish red to yellow-orange in color. It is a variety of Chalcedony, in the Quartz family. Ancient Egyptians called it the ‘Sunset Stone’ due to its fiery appearance. 

Carnelian symbolizes warmth, vitality, creativity, and joy. The word is derived from the Latin ‘carneus’, meaning ‘flesh’. It has worn for millennia for protection and revitalization. 

Much like its Egyptian name, the ‘Sunset Stone’- Carnelian burns away what is no longer, and allows us to welcome the new day. It is a crystal of renewed vigor; a stone to assist us in choosing life. It has been used throughout human history- by orators for boldness, by warriors for strength, and by lovers for fertility.

Believed by ancient Egyptians to help protect souls on their journey to the afterlife, Carnelian has always held the energy of transition. From one life to the next, from one season of life to another.. like the fiery, autumnal leaves ushering in winter’s bite.. Carnelian allows us to move forward on our path with grace and strength. 

One is hard-pressed to find another stone that has more universally represented protection. Spanning cultures and millennia, including Ancient Greeks, Romans, Tibetan Buddhists, Muslims, and early Christians… Carnelian has always signified safety, a light in the darkness. It is known as the ‘Mecca Stone’ by Muslims, and the prophet Mohammed purportedly wore a Carnelian ring to ensure he had a blessed life after death.

Carnelian can be beneficial for all three lower Chakras: Root, Sacral, and Solar Plexus- but the Sacral Chakra in particular responds vibrantly to this fiery gem. Svadhishthana, our second Chakra, is located just below the navel. It is the center of life force energy, sexuality, and creativity. When this Chakra is blocked or imbalanced, one might experience feelings of lethargy, a lack of drive / desire, sexual dysfunction, or compulsive behavior. To balance your Sacral Chakra, wear or carry Carnelian every day, surround yourself with the color orange when possible, spend time near bodies of water, and practice hip-opening yoga poses. 

So who’s ready to get their Carnelian on with me??