What is the Sacral Chakra?
What is Carnelian?
Why is Carnelian Good for the Sacral Chakra?
Carnelian has long been believed to calm fears and soothe existential angst, helping people to accept the cycle of life and death. As a stone that brings peace, and yet it also motivates, boosts energy and helps with creativity. These attributes feed directly into the role of the Sacral Chakra. Both the carnelian gemstone and the second chakra are rich, orange and passionate! Carnelian is believed to protect people from mishaps and to keep the home and its inhabitants safe; these practical safety associations tie in with the other chakras of the lower body which are linked to our most basic, fundamental needs for safety, security and protection.
When functioning correctly, the Sacral energy centre can improve how we think and behave by rooting us in the here and now rather than letting us be carried away by thoughts of what has happened in the past or what might happen in the future. This serene clarity means that decision making is improved, and the emotions don’t become overwhelming. Carnelian helps with this feeling of being grounded and aware of one’s own true will. This is the intuition, and both carnelian and the Sacral energy centre are deeply concerned with the intuitive powers. Working with carnelians and the second chakra together can help you tap into your intuition, and more importantly, have the cognitive power to interpret it and the will to follow it with confidence.
How to Use Carnelian
Carnelian stones can be used in a variety of ways. It is a popular choice for jewellery because it is simply so beautiful to look at. Carnelian is easily made into beads and pendants for necklaces, bracelets and even earrings. Some people choose to wear carnelian in a navel piercing as this is close to the sacrum, or sacral area.
During reclining poses in yoga, breathing exercises or meditation practice, a carnelian can be rested on the body. During sitting meditation, the stones can be held in the hands. Even simply carrying the stone in a pocket is believed to be powerful. As long as it is close to the body, you can use carnelian however it feels best for you. Trust your intuition; it is a powerful voice within you.
Carnelian in Sacral Meditation
Stones are an excellent focus for the attention during mediation. Here are two meditative exercises you can try using carnelian to cleanse the sacral chakra.
- Find somewhere quiet and peaceful to sit in a comfortable position on the floor or a chair. Hold the carnelian in your upturned hands in front of you. Allow your breath to become slow, then gently draw your attention to your breathing, drawing the breath deeply into the lungs. Allow the busy thoughts in your mind to settle down by first listening to sounds outside of the room, noticing them and then letting go of them, then listening to any sounds inside the room. Then finally, recognize any sounds from within your body; the sound of your breath, the sound of movement as you shift positions, the gurgle of your tummy etc. Then let all sounds go and focus on the colour and shape of the carnelian. Imagine that each deep breath is drawing in the colour and energy of the stone, and as it moves into your body, it intensifies and creates a protective orb around the sacral chakra. Close your eyes and imagine yourself filled with this healing, purifying energy.
- Lie down and place the carnelian on the area of the sacral chakra. Place your hands over the stone and allow your body to become still and quiet. When you are ready, repeat a mantra that honours who you are in the present moment. Examples might include, “I love who I am”, “I am exactly who I am supposed to be”, “I have everything I need right now”, “Everything I need is within me”, “I am strong”, “I believe in myself”, “Every day I am the person I was meant to be”. Choose a mantra that speaks to who you are.
Carnelian is a useful tool for awakening and cleansing the sacral chakra, but you must also allow yourself to heal and permit the energy to flow through this energy centre. Making changes in your life that encourage the personal growth and acceptance of self that the sacral chakra promotes is key to health and happiness.
