As we enter the last few weeks of golden fall and trundle towards the cold winds of winter, what better time to cozy up with a little short story on finding good luck with carnelian & keeping a positive mindset. Enjoy!

Aashi’s day was off to a bad start. When she woke, the pink morning sunlight beckoned softly through the curtains. She stretched like a cat, yawned a hello to the world, then turned to find her alarm clock disconnected. Her heart began to rattle, the sun seemed too high in the sky. She scrambled to find her wristwatch and knocked a glass of water from the bedside table. 10am. She was late, very late. 

There was no time to think. Springing up like a tiger, Aashi dressed blindly. She layered her clothes like armor – a force to muffle her from the waiting cold. Running through her apartment, Aashi retrieved the cupcakes for the market, ran a comb through her hair then stuffed herself into a thick grey coat before leaving.   

It was a bright winters day – the birds sang sweetly in the air and the sunlight stung Aashi’s eyelids. She packed up the car and drove at a stop-start speed to the park. Red light after red light; dawdling trucks and slow crawling cars – why is it always the same when you’re in a hurry? 

Aashi circled the parking lot three times before finding a space. Collecting the cupcakes and storming over to the market she located Allie waiting for her by their table, ready to set up. 

“You’re late.” Said Allie. 

“I know. Nightmare morning.” 

“It’s going to get worse.” 

“What?” 

“The gazebo is broken.” 

The gazebo was what they used to shelter their little stall, a place for the milling customers to get a break from the snow, and a place to keep their cupcakes safe and dry.   

“What happened to it?” Aashi asked. 

“There’s a tear – a big hole in the side.” 

“Just perfect. I’ll have a wander around the other stalls, maybe someone has something we can patch it up with.” 

The winter market was set up in a little clearing, the outside circumference decorated with bony trees with sparse, rust-colored leaves. The stands were assembled in a circle and the sellers were already setting up.

There were new stands every week; people came to sell all kinds of things: organic tea leaves, homemade flower vases, purple lavender bags, red woolly hats, and hand-knitted scarves. Aashi walked past each stall, eyes grazing their products for something that might mend their gazebo, but she found nothing. 

She reached the last stall and sighed. They’d have to go home, wait till next week. Then Aashi’s eyes landed on the red tent, the one that’s there every week, tucked slightly away from all the others and draped in rich patterned blankets. The fortune-teller’s tent – and there she was, standing outside; a small, crooked lady with long raven hair. 

“Want to come in?” The fortune teller asked Aashi. 

“Okay.” 

The air inside was thick with the scent of incense, purple candles with red-orange flames burned in every corner.

“Please, sit,” said the fortune-teller, offering Aashi a seat on a plush red cushion. She did. “What seems to be the problem?” The fortune teller asked.

“Aren’t you meant to tell me that?” asked Aashi.

“I can, if you’d like.” 

“Go on then.” 

“Well, it seems to me that you’ve run out of luck.” The fortune teller smiled softly at her.

“Oh great.” Aashi rolled her eyes.

“Please. This is not so silly. You’ve used up your luck because of your expectations.” 

“My expectations?” 

“Well, aren’t you always expecting the worst?” 

“Yes, but only because it always happens.”  

The fortune teller tutted. “I have something that can help, if you’d like to buy it?” 

Aashi cocked her head suspiciously. “What is it? Fairy dust?”

The fortune-teller came back with something wrapped in tissue paper. Aashi dug through the layers of paper and found a gem the color of crackling fire strung on a necklace chain. 

“What is it?” asked Aashi. 

“It is a carnelian medallion. It’s been worn throughout the centuries, popular with kings, as it happens. Wear it, think positive thoughts, and luck will come your way.” 

Aashi – ever the skeptic – made a doubtful noise. But the gem was so pretty, and she did need a pick me up. “Okay, fine.” said Aashi, paying for the necklace and allowing the fortune teller to help her put the medallion on. 

It was biting cold outside. Customers filled up the market and Aashi walked over to Allie thinking they could perhaps go get lunch and find some people to give the cupcakes to, but when she got there she found a bright blue gazebo – different  from their own – set up in their spot. A queue was leading out the door and people were leaving carrying coffees and – were those her cupcakes?  

Aashi went inside to find Allie. “What’s going on?” She asked upon seeing her. 

Allie grinned at her. “We’ve teamed up. The guys selling the organic coffee from the stand over have let us join forces. Now we’re selling the cupcakes and hot drinks together! The customers love it!” 

Aashi felt her jaw slacken. Inside the gazebo, there were more customers than she’d ever seen even on the best days at the market. Allie put her arm around Aashi: “Well, Aashi, it seems like your bad day’s taken a positive turn! How’s that for a stroke of luck, eh?” 

Aashi felt for her carnelian necklace – closed the cold, smooth gemstone within her palm, smiled, and whispered a small thank you to the fortune teller for her quiet, mystical wisdom. 

We hope you enjoyed this little carnelian tale! If you’d like to buy some carnelian jewelry of your own – we’ve got plenty of options. Browse our website and who knows, maybe you’ll discover your own good luck!