Obsidian is volcanic glass that forms naturally. It comes from the rapid cooling of felsic lava. Obsidian is naturally black in colour and has a glassy texture and a vitreous lustre. There are several shades of Obsidian including rainbow, snowflake, gold, and mahogany. Obsidian is hard and brittle and was commonly used for tools. The meaning of Obsidian is safety and grounding.
The Protective Obsidian Stone
Dark and dreamy, the volcanic glass rock of Obsidian is a sword against negative energy and a powerful anchor for keeping you grounded in this good life. While some may turn their eyes to brighter stones, the Obsidian is a beautiful stone. Look a little closer and you can see the milky flecks of the soothing Snowflake Obsidian or the gorgeous glimmer of the Golden Obsidian. It’s a stone that knows that one size doesn’t suit all, which is why Obsidian presents itself in a myriad of ways. But whether you pick the rainbow shade of the velvet crush of night colour, all Obsidian stones share that intense healing vibe that is ever ready to pull you back up on your feet again. Obsidian is formed by the quick cooling of volcanic lava in an earthly and scientific way that causes it to harden like glass. It has been around since the beginning of time and has been used in trading by the Mayans since 100 B.C.
Obsidian can be found across the globe, from the azure shores and fisherman huts of Greece to the ice and fire of Iceland, and the mythical jungles and lost cities of Mexico. It’s a stone that comes swallowed up in a lot of history. Beloved by the Mayan’s and the Aztecs, Obsidian was used in a multitude of ways – from jewellery to homeware and even weapons. It was used to make arrowheads and cutting tools and in its heyday, it had more worth than gold. But the allure for Obsidian went beyond the basic utilitarian. It was also coveted by shamans, healers, and stone-age spiritualists. Light healers longed for Obsidian and crystal gazers also craved the stone so they could look deeper into the spiritual realms.
Its sharp edges were a symbol that the darkness could be pierced to reveal the white light of the truth. Its polished surface resembled a mirror for looking into the future with crystal-clear clarity, and its volcanic roots speak to a well of raw energy that when harnessed can be soul-shaking. The dark sheen Obsidian has many faces and for those who want to look a little closer at the deeply protective and grounding stone, keep reading.
The Different Types of Obsidian
There are many different types of Obsidian stone and all come dressed in their own shades. Here are the different kinds of Obsidian to help you select the stone you love the best.
Black Obsidian The poster child stone for the title of Obsidian, Black Obsidian is as dark as night and is a powerful tool for those seeking protection, grounding, deep-set healing and tearing the fabric of falsity to find the truth.
Rainbow Obsidian
With its luminous colours dancing beneath the surface, Rainbow Obsidian is a dreamy poetic stone. Like swirling colours in oil, this stone is also used for grounding and balancing the wearer. It is also used to keep the root chakra in check.
Snowflake Obsidian A flurry of wonder comes with the Snowflake Obsidian Stone, where dancing patterns of white float beneath the dark surface. This is a stone known for its ability to help you shift patterns and comes with all kinds of soothing vibes to temper frayed nerves.
Mahogany Obsidian The rich colour scheme that ripples through Mahogany Obsidian is known for its fiercely protective powers. For anyone having a vulnerable moment, Mahogany Obsidian makes sure that all attacks are warded off.
Golden Obsidian
The glimmer of the Golden Obsidian Stone is striking. Also known as The Wizard Stone, Golden Obsidian will help activate your third eye and shines it’s light on negativity so you can take a leap to higher living.
Obsidian Healing Properties Rich in healing properties, there’s a reason that Obsidian was considered to be so much more precious than gold. This stone is all about stimulating growth, keeping you protected, and connecting with that root chakra – AKA the very essence of how we feel safe in this world. Obsidian doesn’t just stop at keeping your mind tuned in, it works to keep your physical and spiritual body completely aligned too.
Physical Healing Properties
As a highly protective stone, Obsidian is ever ready to keep your whole body ready for action and this means helping every inch stay detoxed. For a start, Obsidian is excellent when it comes to keeping your circulation in full and healthy flow. Obsidian can also be extremely useful to those who suffer from digestive issues and is amazing for those who have problems with the gall bladder. In fact, the Obsidian Stone simply wants you to thrive to your fullest health. It is a crystal that keeps your heart beating full and loud and healthy, and a crystal that calls into being deep tissue healing so your body can rejuvenate and be fresh, youthful, and full of fire.
Mental & Emotional Healing Properties
Protective and perfectly poised to help you heal deeply, the Obsidian Stone is best known for keeping you in the clear when it comes to negative emotions and negative energy. No matter if your bad juju is coming from you or from external forces, Obsidian will work to throw its cloak of protection over your shoulders, ensuring that no matter what – you aren’t dragged down into a pit of despair. It is a companion stone that truly helps you to feel safe.
While some may shy away from the darker hues of the Obsidian Stone for something that brings brighter hues to the party, it’s important to remember that everything in life is all about balance. Without the night there is no day, without the darkness there is no light. This is where Obsidian swoops in to serve you. It is a truth-seeker stone and rather than encourage you to walk in falsehood, it is more about finding ways to face up to all the different angles of yourself so that you are full and ready and invulnerable when it is finally time to step into that light.
In short, Obsidian gives you all the courage you need to explore the unknown, embrace who you truly are, and to dissolve old traumas and stop holding onto all that which is no longer serving you. When you follow through with the art of letting go and facing up to your deeper self, there is so much room for growth and before you know it- those branches that you may have inadvertently been clipping are ready to reach for the sky.
Metaphysical Properties
One of the strongest connections you can expect from your Obsidian Stone is its ability to strengthen your root chakra. This is one of the most important chakras we have as it is known for keeping us grounded no matter what is going on in the world around us. When the root chakra is blocked, we feel untethered and suddenly unstable, as though danger or negativity waits at every turn. With Obsidian sending its healing energy straight where it is needed, you can stand safe and strong and without the risk of any kind of psychic attack.
For centuries sages and healers also turned to the power of Obsidian to help tap into that third eye chakra. They believed the mirror-like qualities of Obsidian could provide a glimpse into another realm and could guide the way towards higher knowledge and cosmic consciousness. The Black Obsidian Stone is also known for helping out when it comes to your solar plexus chakra. This is our third chakra in the body and is best associated with the place where our self-esteem and sense of worth flows from. When the solar plexus is blocked it can send us off balance and make us feel lost, flailing, or even shy in our own skin. Using the Obsidian mirror you can look within and remove the blockage that is keeping you from living out your very best life without the confinements of fear.
Zodiac Birthstone
Obsidian is an amazing amulet for Scorpios. Scorpios tend to be fiery, passionate, and intense. They are a sign ruled by Pluto and Mars – AKA the gods of the underworld and war. While the intense energy of the Scorpio can be advantageous, it’s also important to stay protected when burning up with all this emotion. This is where Obsidian sweeps in to save the day. Obsidian too, is intense, but it is also a stone that uses its mirror-like qualities to help you see deeper. It helps you to stay grounded even when delving into those murky depths to do the important shadow work which will bring great healing to your life. For those who find Black Obsidian too intense, you can also turn to Snowflake Obsidian, Gold Sheen Obsidian, or even the Apache Tears style of Obsidian for a softer approach.
Sagittarians are another sign that suit the Obsidian Stone. As a birthstone, Obsidian and the often adventurous and honest Sagittarian are a match made in heaven. They complement each other beautifully in their powers. Black Obsidian serves as the protector, important for a wearer who doesn’t always look before they leap and who can often be found dashing out on their next great adventure. Whenever that energy is flying high enough to sweep you off your feet, Obsidian keeps you grounded in a way that doesn’t make you feel bound and gagged. It simply sends the excess energy flowing down to the ground to be absorbed by Mother Earth.
Using Obsidian Whether stashed in your pocket, adorning your altar or strung around your wrist or in some other form of Obsidian gemstone jewellery, this is one of the all-important healing crystals you need in your life. For all those who want to commit to doing that shadow work, staying protected, and say yes to truth-telling and healing, Obsidian should occupy some corner of your world. Here are all the ways you can bring the dark and dreamy nature of Obsidian into your world.
Home & Office
Obsidian is a gorgeous stone for balancing out your home and keeping the space protected. As this volcanic rich stone is the meeting point for all the elements of earth, fire, water, and even air, the Obsidian crystal is nature unharnessed and at her highest point of power. This is why Obsidian has such strong grounding vibes. If you want to keep your castle protected you should place Obsidian close to the doorway so that all who step into your world will leave their half-truths and deceit at the door. They can enter with a pure heart and without illusion – all part of Obsidians protective plan for you and your loved ones. If you want to be subconsciously doing that shadow work then you can also place Obsidian in your creative art space or even the office. The grounding properties will help you to stay strong and committed to yourself, ensuring that you don’t become a yes woman and sign up for a whole host of things you simply don’t want to do or taking on excess work that you don’t have the capacity for. Basically, when you use Black Obsidian or any piece of Obsidian, you can be sure that it always has your back.
Jewellery
One of the most effective ways to welcome Obsidian into your life is by choosing Obsidian gemstone jewellery. Placing the highly healing stone straight onto the skin ensures that you get all those lovely vibrations sinking straight in and clearing out those blockages without even a scrap of fabric stopping it in its tracks. Whether it’s a Snowflake Obsidian bracelet or a fashion statement of glimmering Golden Obsidian, having this stone on you at all times is the most effective way of harnessing its true potential and power.
If you are seeking other gemstones that make a magical match to your Obsidian Bracelet, then turn to the protective healing powers of Hematite. Hematite is also a stone known for its grounding properties and for being a falling-star like gem that wards off negative energy and brings the sparkle of self-confidence to our every step. Another stone that works wonders when paired with Obsidian is Lapis Lazuli. A potent blue stone beloved by artists across the world for etching out the heavens, Lapis is a lullaby of truth. This stone is known for sharpening the mind, inviting inner reflection, and being able to connect to others through bringing compassion and authenticity to your own story. Other stones that connect well with Obsidian include Labradorite with its ability to stir up the third eye chakra, Onyx, and Black Tourmaline. The latter also holds incredible protective powers and is often used to ward off the problems commonly associated with EMF.
How to Cleanse Your Obsidian Gemstone
As with any protective and grounding gemstone, it's essential to keep your Obsidian in the clear when it comes to energy. Powerful healing stones can become clogged up and by cleansing and recharging you ensure a fine flow that keeps your stone working at its fullest and brightest power. Clearing your Obsidian gemstone is as easy as running it underwater. As a stone that invites all the elements into its soul, Obsidian also likes to sit out in the moonlight which can be a less harsh method of clearing its energy (at the same time as recharging it). Some people prefer to smudge their stones to dissolve all that negative energy that could have collected. The best way to smudge a stone is with sage or any other potent herb. If you have a singing bowl sitting around or bells you can also use sound as a method for cleansing and charging Obsidian as it seems to respond well to both these instruments and their sound vibrations.
For all those who want a stone that doesn’t shy away from inviting spiritual shadow side healing, Obsidian is the perfect companion. When we live our lives in the shadows of lies, illusions, blockages, or any kind, and hidden behind facades of fear, we do our authentic selves and our full potential a complete disservice. Doing the shadow work can be difficult and scary, but Obsidian works in such a way that you don’t feel like you are having to push through. It gently sweeps away the veil and invites you to step over the line and into a place of clarity, calm, and that root chakra space of always feeling safe. Crystal healing hits a high note when it comes to all the glorious properties of Obsidian and as a hugely powerful stone, it's a must-have in your healing crystal pack.
The pharaoh stares lovingly into Hemira’s eyes. She knows where his heart lies. She takes the list and starts reading it; slowly absorbing the energy of each name.
“If I were you, I would choose Princess Hasina, King Aka rules the north of Egypt and you rule the south, with that being, you will be the most powerful and revered pharaoh who ever lived. As your Sybil, I advise you to marry Princess Hasina. You will be moderately happy for a period of time.”
An excerpt from my latest novel The Oracle of Eshe: Serial