Volcanic stone, Obsidian is a protective stone. For many centuries, its strength has been used to accelerate healing. The depth of its black color symbolizes balance and stability. Discover its many protective benefits on the body and mind.

Characteristics of Obsidian

Mineral species: Rhyolites

Composition: Silicon Dioxide

Hardness: 5 to 5.5 Mohs

Density: 2,4

Colors: from Gray to deep Black, sometimes Red

Chakras: Root, 3rd eye

Virtues and benefits of Obsidian stone

• Improves wound healing
• Soothes anxiety and stress
• Aids digestion
• Protects against negative energies
• Alleviates muscle cramps
• Harmonize inner thoughts
• Helps overcome trauma

Where does the name Obsidian come from?

Pliny the Elder says that it was the Roman Obsius who first brought this black stone . This find came from Ethiopia. Its name therefore comes from the first name Obsius, which later became Obsidian.

Some linguists believe that its name comes from the Latin Obsidio. This term means “surrounded”, which corresponds to the breaks in the stone. These forming hollows similar to rings.

History & origin of Obsidian stone

Harder than glass, Obsidian breaks into very sharp shards. Which makes her a formidable weapon. During prehistory, it was used in weapons and tools . In Mesopotamia, we even find obsidian blades from the 5th millennium BC!

In some cultures, this black stone had mortuary significance.

The Egyptians used its sharp shards to incise corpses during embalming. The Greeks knew well the value of Obsidian. Long before the use of iron, they made a fortune thanks to the trade in this precious stone.

Obsidian had a very important place in ancient Latin American cultures. It was used as tools, weapons but also as ornaments for works of art. The Aztecs associated Obsidian with magic and used it to form mirrors that could read into the future. Reduced to powder, Obsidian was also used as a balm to heal wounds.

Obsidian stone exists wherever there is volcanic activity : Indonesia, Greece, Iceland, Japan, Turkey, United States, Russia, Hungary, Guatemala.

Composition of Obsidian stone

Obsidian is a stone that can take on different colors depending on its Magnetite or Hematite content. Its most common color is black. But you can also find Obsidian with green or brown hues.

Obsidian is primarily made up of silicon dioxide. On the Mohs scale, the hardness of Obsidian is 5 to 5.5. stone Like the Aventurine, its specific gravity is 2.65. Obsidian can thus be scratched by a file but not by a coin.

Properties of Obsidian

Physical properties

Obsidian stone is a stone with heating effects. It is ideal for people who constantly have cold hands and feet. The vibrations of the stone will therefore improve blood circulation. This will also help improve healing of the skin. The epidermis regenerates more easily and the pain decreases.

By draining the intestines, Obsidian facilitates digestion. In tumbled stone, it solves various digestion problems. This stone can also promote good heart health. Obsidian helps against bacterial infections.

On the muscles, Obsidian reduces muscle cramps. It also reduces stomach cramps caused by menstruation. Worn as jewelry, the black stone serves as a remedy for back pain. The body relaxes and the pain subsides.

Psychic properties

In lithotherapy, Obsidian is used as a shield against bad energies. Negativity can damage mental health very quickly, it is important to get rid of it effectively. 

Obsidian increases the desire to change things and accompanies good decision-making. With an Obsidian bracelet, your mind is freed from devaluing thoughts. A feeling of well-being surrounds you for a serene life.

Stress and anxiety are often pervasive in our lives. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by these feelings. Obsidian stone absorbs the harmful effects of stress and relaxes the mind . It has the power to clean your thoughts to keep only the positive.

Life sometimes has hard times to overcome. Obsidian accompanies these difficult times to alleviate psychological pain. It is a stone so strong in energy that it helps to overcome trauma. It offers all the support one needs for a serene life.

What is the power of Obsidian stone?

Located at the level of the perineum, the root chakra is the first of the seven chakras. A harmonized root chakra is felt through a sense of security and grounding in the world. You are where you need to be, where you belong. If you feel distant from the world, plagued by many fears, Obsidian helps to rebalance these feelings. Its energies harmonize the root chakra to refocus the body and mind to the present.

Center of invisible energies, the 3rd eye chakra is located between the eyebrows. It is the seat of intuitions, knowledge and wisdom. 

The Obsidian stone balances this chakra by bringing to self-awareness. Particularly used during meditations, it brings clairvoyance and creativity. We must be very careful in case of imbalance of the 3rd eye chakra. This is felt by a great lack of self-confidence and a loss of control of your life.

Which stones to associate with Obsidian?

Stones are like human beings. Some are made for each other, others are not. It depends on the energies that each stone possesses. By combining several compatible stones together, the benefits are reinforced.

Worn with Rose Quartz , Obsidian offers an intense feeling of well-being. Life seems more intense and less stressful. Powerful and protective, these two associated stones become a bulwark against negativity.

Stones of the same colors carry the same energy forces. Black Obsidian and Black Tourmaline form a perfect duo. 

They give more energy to the body and provide the mind with a great capacity for organization. Nothing seems insurmountable anymore. The mind is clearer and you know where to go.

Can obsidian go in salt? How to clean and recharge the Obsidian stone?

Can obsidian go in salt?

Yes, to purify Obsidian, just leave it resting on coarse salt for a day, or put it in contact with the Earth to discharge all the accumulated vibrations and rebalance.

Alternatively, you can rinse it under running water while visualizing its release from the accumulated negative energies. Then dry it well and leave it in the open air for one or more days, better if not exposed directly to the sun’s rays.

Obsidian is a resistant stone, but remember that it is still glass, so be careful not to cut yourself if it breaks!

Recharge your Stone with a Flower of Life

A real shield against bad energies, Obsidian is a stone that absorbs a lot. This is why it needs regular cleaning to get rid of these negative energies. Then just place it in a glass with plenty of sea salt for 2 to 3 hours. Then, you have to dry it well with a towel and clean it with tap water.

In order for the Obsidian to fill up with protective energies, it must be exposed to the light of the full moon all night long. It is also possible to leave it outside if necessary. Once recharged, Obsidian will be ready to become your best ally again.

The Origins of Black Obsidian and Its Various Other Forms

Black obsidian is created when molten rock from a volcanic eruption cools so quickly that it forms no crystals and turns into volcanic glass. 

Although most obsidian is black, there are also other colors and varieties depending on the minerals and gas present during its formation. 

Sometimes pockets of gray or white crystals form in a piece of obsidian over time, giving it a mottled appearance, hence the name snowflake obsidian.

Other times the gas and other inclusions combine to create a variety of obsidian known as rainbow obsidian. Rainbow obsidian differs from natural black obsidian by its iridescent luster. It has a dazzling rainbow effect and has its own healing properties.

Finally, obsidian can be characterized by a swirling mixture of colors. Anything from red, orange and yellow to beige or blue can appear in this natural stone.

Black and brown are the most common color combinations, creating mahogany obsidian. Other color variations of obsidian include golden obsidian, red obsidian, and double flux obsidian.

Around the American Southwest, you can find another type of obsidian unique to the region. Small pieces of black obsidian, usually less than 1 inch long, are known as Apache tears. Apache tear takes its name from Native American folklore.

You can find black obsidian around the world in areas of volcanic activity including Japan, Mexico, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Scotland, Turkey, Australia, Guatemala, El Salvador, Iceland, Greece and the United States.

Black Obsidian in History

Long before we looked at black obsidian as a healing crystal, ancient civilizations were already using it as a tool and cutting instrument.

Pre-Columbian societies in North America and South America made extensive use of obsidian, and black obsidian quickly found its way into everyday life. Whether used as a knife for food preparation or as a spear or arrowhead on hunting trips, the sharp edges of obsidian were prized.

This volcanic glass probably reached its peak during the Aztec Empire. Black obsidian was a key feature of their unique sword, which they called a “macuahuitl”. Unlike European swords with a single sharp point, Aztec swords were made with obsidian blades on each side. 

Black obsidian was so sharp and effective as a cutting tool that it is believed to be one of the reasons the Aztecs had no metallurgy.

Spain finally conquered the Aztec Empire in the 1500s, but it’s probably no coincidence that the Spaniards began incorporating black obsidian into their tools and even their razor blades. 200 years later, the obsidian blades were exchanged for steel ones.

Tips for Choosing Black Obsidian Stones

Black obsidian is a highly protective stone, which is why you may want to keep it close to you or even wear it regularly. One of the easiest ways to harness the power of obsidian is to wear it as jewelry.

Be on the lookout for authentic black obsidian. This way you ensure its purity and healing properties. Always opt for natural stones if you are also going to experience the healing properties of other gemstone beads.

A great place to start is the chakra bracelet. A unisex bead bracelet is easy to put on and take off, and you can mix and match your gemstone beads to align particular chakras.

 Wearing a protection bracelet adorned with black obsidian healing crystals is another way to protect yourself from negative energy.

You can do the same with an obsidian necklace. With various styles available, you can layer a natural stone pendant with a beaded choker and benefit from the virtues of obsidian stone all day long. 

Another great jewelry option is to opt for a natural obsidian ring. High-quality sterling silver is easy to care for and can last a lifetime in your jewelry collection.