Everything You Never Knew You Always Wanted to Know About Soapstone

Did you know that soapstone has healing properties? Or that it got its name because some of the softer varies feel more like soap than like stone? Soapstone is a stone that we have all likely heard about and potentially had our own experience with during a grade school art project; however, most people would be hard-pressed to answer, ‘what is soapstone?’ So, let us introduce you to this healing stone and all its unique, beneficial properties.

All About Soapstone

We’re here to answer all your questions about this healing stone. Read on to learn the details of soapstone, from its healing properties to where it’s used.

• soapstone facts
• healing properties of soapstone
• where soapstone is used
• why you need this stone
• who should use soapstone
• how to bring this healing crystal into your life

What is Soapstone?

Soapstone (also known as steatite or soaprock) is a talc-schist, which is a type of bluish-gray metamorphic rock that’s incredibly soft due to its high talc content. The really soft grades may even feel similar to a bar of soap when touched, making it easy to identify. Due to its malleable nature, this stone has been a medium for carving for thousands of years.

Though it’s soft and easy to carve, soapstone isn’t weak. It’s known to withstand high heat and harsh conditions, making this rock prized for its use in cooking and heating equipment.

The Healing Properties of Soapstone

Now that we have some background info on this healing stone, let’s delve into its health benefits. Soapstone is a great stone to have with you at the start of a new year or when attempting to create new habits, as it is said to help people release outdated and negative habits. When you change jobs, use this healing stone to release old or negative habits you’d like to shed and to calmly engage in new ones.

It is the perfect stone to have around you during stressful periods or times of change (which, let’s be real – are always stressful). This healing crystal is known to bring about a sense of calm. Soapstone is valued for it the way it helps one prepare for changes in life.

Part of the way this stone is able to help in these ways is through its connection to two of the seven chakras:

• sacral chakra
• solar plexus chakra

Sacral Chakra and Soapstone

Soapstone is connected to the sacral chakra, which is connected to the adrenal glands and the genitourinary system. This chakra regulates basic sexual and emotional needs along with confidence and creativity. When this chakra is blocked, we feel emotionally imbalanced and deal with issues like loneliness, addiction, and dependence. Soapstone’s calming properties help restore the sacral chakra.

Symptoms of a blocked sacral chakra include:

• detachment
• isolation
• anxiety
• loneliness
• low libido
• lack of creative inspiration

The Solar Plexus Chakra

The solar plexus chakra or Manipura is located around the stomach. This chakra is responsible for self-esteem, confidence, and helping you feel in control of your own life. Part of being in control of your life is being prepared for changes, and soapstone is ideal for helping with this. 

Symptoms of a blocked solar plexus chakra include:

• low self-esteem
• lack of self-trust
• digestion issues
• lack of responsibility
• attraction to stimulants
• victim mentality

Where is Soapstone Used?

Whether using it as the perfect décor piece to bring calm into your home or working with it in your own artistic endeavors, soapstone can be used in many ways. Here at Whaler's Locker, we have hand-carved soapstone turtles to keep you smiling and stress-free.

Below is a quick list of where soapstone can be used:

• in the home
• in the office
• in art

In the Home

Your home should be a place of comfort and calm. So, snatch up some cute soapstone figurines or trinkets and add them to your room, kitchen, or any space where you’d like to avoid stress. Similar to other healing crystals, simply being in the same room is enough for you to reap some of the stone’s calming benefits. 

In the Office

Whether it’s your first day on the job or you’re dealing with everyday office stressors, you can benefit from keeping soapstone nearby. Pop a soapstone paperweight on your desk or display a cool statue on a bookshelf so you can keep your cool in even the most tense work situations.

In Art Around the Home

Along with being easy to carve for beautiful sculptures, soapstone is used in art to create molds for casting objects from soft metals, like silver or pewter. The stone’s heat resistance makes it ideal for casting, and its slick surface allows the finished object to be easily removed.

Why You Need Soapstone

Soapstone gives off a calming yet stimulating energy supporting the release of old routines and creating an openness for new possibilities in life. This healing crystal's energies are helpful for getting you moving and ready for whatever comes next.

Soapstone's energies stir up interest in freedom and support for new, fun trips and opportunities. Soapstone's energies increase the signal to receive and transmit messages across all worlds and energy fields. Regardless of if this is something you believe in or not, soapstone’s soft and smooth surface radiates calm.

Who Should use Soapstone?

Put simply, soapstone is a healing crystal that’s right for everyone! There’s no need to do anything with this healing stone to enjoy its benefits, so add it to your favorite space and soak up the stress-free vibes and added calm.

How to Bring Soapstone into Your Life

Small mementos or carvings are a great way to add a bit of personality to a space and have the decoration be more than something beautiful. For these small items, think of where you like to relax, such as a favorite place to read or your bedroom. Alternatively, stash some soapstone in a stressful environment to decrease negativity.

If you are artistically inclined and are looking to do your own carving, many art supply stores will have blocks for you to explore with. This could also be a great activity to do for a craft night with friends or family. The calming effects of the stone should help this be one of your most chill craft nights yet.

Lean into the new year with soapstone! Its energies are helpful for getting you moving and ready for whatever comes next – a great way to kick off 2022.