Origin: Worldwide
Mineral Species: Graphite
Mineral Group: Elements
Chemical Formula: C
Hardness: 1-2
Crystal System: Trigonal
Colour: Black to steel grey
Typical Appearance: Hexagonal plates and foliated masses
Birthstone: Secondary birthstone for Aquarius
Chakra Alignment: Root
Element: Earth
Origin of Name & Mythology: Named “plumbago” in 1739 by Magnus von Bromell. It was also called “molybdaena” in 1781 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele. It was later shown to represent two separate species, molybdenite and graphite. It was named graphite in 1789 by Abraham Gottlob Werner, from the Greek “graphein”, meaning “to write”.
Carbon is one of the most basic building blocks of life and is widely spread in nature. Making up such a large proportion of our bodies, carbon tunes into and distils the essence of who we are, helping us to feel more “ourselves”, and also recognise our deep connection with this planet and the natural life on it.
Graphite homogenises the disparate energies within the physical body, balancing the chakras and encouraging energetic flow. It aids flexibility, softens our rough edges, and smooths the way through difficult periods in our lives. Because of its strong electrical conductivity, some practitioners use it to work with the body’s electrical impulses and electrical field.
Graphite sometimes occurs as a coating or intergrowth on other minerals, such as prehnite and garnet. In addition to the qualities of that mineral, graphite adds another dimension of softness, balance, and flow. For example, a grounding crystal like almandine garnet will still be grounding, but will no longer be entirely focussed on the Root Chakra. Graphite’s qualities balance the chakra system and encourage flow throughout the entire body, and its softening and smoothing qualities can also make a crystal that might otherwise be overpowering easier to work with.
