Crystal of the Month: August

As we make our way back to what was once familiar territory (the anticipation of Fall and Back to School), we are finding ourselves a little fearful and unprepared. Most of us are consumed with the decision of sending our kids back to school or home schooling. In Colorado, public schools have made the ultimate decision to do remote learning for the first quarter of the academic year with intentions to bring students back in per state health regulations. Where does that leave a lot of us? Fearful, stressed, and feeling ill prepared to take on the role of teacher while also working. Some of us don't have the option to work from home and as a result, we worry that our kids education will suffer.

This month I wanted to provide my Gem Ratz with a stone that has the ability to aid you in these overwhelming feelings. Carnelian seemed like a great fit!

Image from HeavenandEarthJewelry.com

Carnelian has the power to restore vitality and motivation, inspire creativity, and encourages you to make positive life choices. It helps drive the possessor to success by helping improve concentration and dispelling mental lethargy. It can calm anger and emotional negativity, replacing it with love for life. Because it is associated with the root chakra, Carnelian has the ability to boost fertility and stimulate sexuality.

Some health issues that Carnelians are believed to heal are:

-Lower back issues

-Rheumatism and Arthritis

-Neuralgia and depression

-Regulation of the kidneys

-Improves mineral absorption and blood supply to organs

Image from Energy Muse

Finding Carnelian

Carnelian can be found in most crystal stores easily. It's also easy to find online and typically found in a tumbled stone. It can also be purchased in raw form but most stores don't carry it in this form. It can also be found in different shapes but mostly in hearts and fire or flame shapes. Appearance: Clear-to-translucent red brown which may vary from a pale orange to pink, or from grey to an intense almost black or darkened red brown.

Associations: -Chakras: The Base Chakra/ Sacral Chakra -Birthstone: July -Zodiac: Taurus, Cancer, Leo, Virgo -Planet: Mars -Element: Fire -Vibration: Number 5 and 6

Properties:

- Creativity - Courage/Self-esteem - Emotional warmth/Harmony - Individuality

- Memory and Past life recall - Happiness

-Rebirth/Reincarnation

Image from John Biccard's Pinterest Page

In Ancient Egyptian times, Carnelian stones were often buried with the departed to help them with an fears they may have about the afterlife. Each amulet was engraved with messages for the goddess Isis and other gods to ensure safe passage of the body to the afterlife. Even the Book of the Dead was inscribed on a Carnelian stone. The stone also had significance for the Romans, Greeks, and Mesopotamians.

Care To clean your stone, use warm soapy water and a soft cloth. After washing, dry carefully. Avoid ultra-sonic cleaners to prevent cuts and fractures to the stone. Carnelians tend to scratch easy so make sure you don't place it with other hard stones or you can individually wrap it for protection.

You may not be going to the afterlife but working, parenting, and homeschooling can make you feel like you are close to going! If this stone can guide the Egyptians to the afterlife, and the Mesopotamian warriors through safe battles then I am positive it will help guide you through these tough times! I've already picked mine up with high hopes!

May you have success and be courageous!

With Love, Micole Elise