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Obsidian Crystal Meaning and Uses
Obsidian is a glassy black crystal with powerful grounding properties. To the stone’s holder, that dark glossy surface is a source of strength and clarity.
Mirror-like in bearing, the shiny pellet of silica uses its cooled magma glaze to send energy-moderating vibrations straight to the soul of its owner.
It erases negativity, serves as a soul guardian, and works its vibrational and visual divinations with great success, as follows.
What is Obsidian?
Expect to find the crystals in different parts of the world. Where there’s a volcano, this predominantly black “volcano glass” may be nearby, waiting to be cut free and brought into contact with an unmoored psyche.
Significant quantities of silica are present in the lustrous material. The fused silica imbues the crystal with its familiar glossy looks, then slight traces of magnetite and other iron-based ores further lend it that amazingly exotic ebony aspect.
These so-called mineral impurities can further tune the crystal until it’s vibrating with laser-like focus.
Volcanic eruptions are responsible for the creation of this mystically gifted black glass, for the mirror-like dark surface, and for its attractive surface accents.
Lava belches free of a volcanic caldera, it flows down a slope, and the red-hot magma hardens so fast, so rapidly, that it’s transformed into volcanic glass.
Aficionados of all things crystalline see many different types of obsidian during their mineral collecting trips.
Mahogany or jet black, flaming red or rainbow-hued, the visual attributes shared by the different obsidian types is an impression of self-generated luminosity and blackened depth.
The deep and dark mirror-like surface running along and through these shiny black stones has long hinted at a cabal of concealed metaphysical properties.
In ancient times, tribal elders, the shaman of their time, used the ebony crystals as scrying mirrors, and there was more to come as those tribal elders experienced the darkness drawing attributes of Obsidian.
Obsidian breaks easily, which means the crystals can quickly be made into jewelry. Due to that material trait, the stones have been used as bracelet and necklace accents.
Then, for more practical occasions, the glass was turned into arrowheads, dagger blades, and all manner of sharp-edged cutting tools.
While it’s true the dark volcanic glass was used in many prosaic applications, it’s the mysterious reflective qualities of the vitreous silica that have made it a sought after stone.
The dark, glossy surface endows the crystal with an esoteric quality, a black mirror look that hints at wisdom and promises of exposed truths.
Possess obsidian and expose those inner truths. Expose reality, uncover deeply seated emotions, and dismiss the illusions that cloud a healthy spiritual essence, for this ebony crystal is a powerful soul healer.
But remember, not all newly illuminated secrets are friendly, nor can they always be accepted, at least not at first.
Indeed, the dark glass exposes weaknesses and flaws, imperfections and unpleasant shortcomings, but that’s so that the bearer can overcome these failings and grow.
Having grown spiritually, the negative self fades, it loses control, and new positive virtues are allowed to find room and flourish. Like the clearing of dark, choking weeds, the exposed flaws wilt while positive feelings are rekindled.
Viewed by many as a mirror stone, the black, glossy crystal possesses a talent for revealing difficult truths.
Just as those potentially bitter pills are exposed, the stone alleviates the impact and helps the owner to accept reality, to move forward and to remove the dark influences that could emotionally or spiritually stunt a troubled individual.
With this in mind, obsidian has cathartic properties. It cleanses the soul and scoops out negativity. It’s a crystal of truth, of introspection, of grounding, and of deep spiritual healing.
Kept as a pendant or some other attractive piece of jewelry, the ebony glass continues to work its arcane charm. Wear it as a shield, as a psychic barrier when dark feelings and depressive episodes become intrusive.
Obsidian Healing Properties
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Life is an adventure hard to navigate. People lose track of their goals and can’t remember their core values, so they’re cast adrift in a miasma of never-ending chaos.
Left adrift, unmoored even, a person can’t hope to stay healthy under such soul-crushing conditions.
Stemming the tide of oppressive darkness, it takes a polished black crystal to restore the light. Physically speaking, that light causes stomach tension to fade as the mental stress crumbles.
The digestive system improves, circulatory health is restored, and muscle tension fades until it’s a long forgotten memory.
As the energy centers in the spiritual form align, the ability to quickly heal physical ailments is simultaneously revived.
Sprained ankles heal faster, bones mend rapidly, colds and viruses end in a fraction of a time they’d normally take, and chronic pains evaporate quickly. In other words, recovery times are happily reduced when Obsidian crystals are nearby.
Obsessive thoughts trouble many people, as do alcohol addictions, drug abuse problems, and gambling issues. Obsidian strengthens the will so the stone owner can give up these system-contaminating influences, plus it aids troubled users through tough substance detoxification programs.
Deeply embedded emotional trauma is like a heavy, near unbearable weight. Use the black glass as an emotional spotlight. The truth, harsh as it may be, will set the bearer free so that the true healing work can commence.
Deep healing vibrations reach out from the stone to penetrate a hurt heart. The psyche rallies, the strength to recover is found and accessed, and fear mechanisms are brought under control until a formerly emotionally destructive cycle is broken forever.
Wear obsidian jewelry as a psychic shield. Depression and negativity may whisper psyche undermining messages to the undefended ear, but the black, glossy quartz radiates a vibrating field that defuses the negative energy.
Obsidian illuminates the self. It protects the bearer from chaos, clarifies and stimulates a need for spiritual and intellectual growth, and the stone has a particular gift for clearing confusion.
Strong and focused once more, a once lost life path becomes clear again when these mind-clouding influences evaporate like morning mist.
As spiritual distress recedes, balance is restored. As that balance comes into focus, the spirit is connected more deeply to the physical body, so a grounding feeling flows through the user’s aura.
Subsequently, the stress and negativity flow through the feet of the crystal holder and deep into the ground, where it’s humbled by Gaia.
In Feng Shui, the Chinese art of balancing environmental energies, the black stones are associated with water and purification.
Curiously, the glass is born of fire, but its glossy black surface conjures images of deeply coursing waters. Keep that energy clean by washing the stones in running water and charging them in the light of the midday sun.
As for assembling an Obsidian Feng Shui structure in-home, loosely stack several stones, one atop the other, and enjoy the power of rebirth and revitalization.
The infinite mysteries suspended inside the water-like stone outer shell seem to travel deep within the glossy exterior, so it attracts negative energies like a sponge.
Then, for those moments when the holder feels as if they’re floating free of the Earth, obsidian performs as a potent anchor. As mentioned earlier, do remember to keep the glossy stone clean, for that watery-dark film is the bridge that links the spiritual self to the anchoring body of the Earth.
Among many other uses, black obsidian has long been employed as a polished scrying glass. Looking into the dark mirror, we see our true selves, penetrate the veils that separate past lives, and we strengthen latent psychic abilities until near clairvoyant perceptions come easily.
There are numerous retellings of mysterious observations, as caught in the dark glassy mirror. Spirit guides reside inside the glass, as do images of long departed loved ones.
An owner of an Obsidian crystal can communicate with other realms when they’re ready to embrace this ancient belief.
A visually appealing dark glass, obsidian stones aid meditative states by providing an earthly focusing point. Instead of sinking into a deep contemplative state of being, the seeker of truth and enlightenment gazes down and down until there’s a sense of sliding, of embracing the crystal vibrations as they ascend from the core of the reflective glaze.
Obsidian-tuned meditations enable deeper states of consciousness. Holding the stone, the reflective disciple gently allows the dark glass to open the mind’s center.
The mind clears, intrusive thoughts settle, and the journey begins. Breathe in the light and crystal energy, then breathe out the negativity.
Meditative exercises should never be a battle, should never be fought as a conscious need to reach some ill-defined answer.
In place of all self-defeating conscious energies, grounding vibrations flow from the obsidian glass to help promote a deeper state of relaxation. In this state, the crystal user feels detached but still in touch with the spiritual realm.
Do be alert when employing these black glass stones. As mentioned earlier, Obsidian is a known truth conveyor, a tool for opening the mind’s eye.
Still, some of the personal feelings and truths uncovered by the powerful stones can be disturbing.
Start with a single crystal, and use that crystal for a short period as a consciousness-expanding medium. If uncomfortable thoughts do come to light, accept them and move on instead of questioning their authenticity.
Pure dark glass or lace, blotchy clouds or mahogany tones, the various types of Obsidian glass are not traditional birthstone. In truth, the stones are modern birthstones, but that fact doesn’t diminish their astrological effects.
Dwelling in the month of November, midnight black stones ground restless winter energies while Rainbow Obsidian crystals bring hope and positive vibrations to that potentially bleak end-of-year month.
Like the delicate flavors found in a life-sustaining meal, different forms of the glassy stone bring distinctive vibrational energies to those who were born in the colder months.
Obsidian Zodiac Sign
Since Obsidian is a dark glass, it’s usually associated with the colder end of the year. On the zodiac wheel, in the houses of Capricorn and Scorpio, the wintery hues reach peak vibrational ascendancy.
Negative vibrations are grounded towards Mother Gaia, which is an especially prized property when a deeply emotional Scorpio feels his or her mood turning sour.
Likewise, silently simmering Capricorns also experience this grounding effect when Black Obsidian exercises its emotionally grounding talents.
Again, Obsidian is not a natural birthstone, but its wintery features do plainly call out to the months of the year when the Earth sleeps.
A fellowship of Obsidian types, including Black and Snowflake Obsidian, are known to influence Scorpio and Capricorn born stone holders.
Above all else, the chiefly black crystals radiate grounding vibrations. Therefore, Obsidian naturally strengthens the root chakra. From the base of the spine to the feet, then into the Earth, the dark crystal anchors.
As a contemplative spirit aligns the various bodily chakras, it’s this root connection that keeps the meditator connected to reality.
On moving into alignment, the spirit-to-body connection reignites. Spiritual energies are stimulated, the stone owner’s physical well-being responds in kind, and the harmonizing effect produces newfound feelings of stamina, of connectivity, and of confidence.
Just as importantly, the other members of this crystalized fellowship have a role to play in chakra clearing.
For Rainbow Obsidian, an added light source brings out the many interlaced colors, which cause a cleansing energy to sweep through the energy channels that link these spiritual power centers.
Whether the black glass crystals are clearing chakras or grounding negative energies, those different Obsidian types are gifted with unique spiritual healing and cleansing properties.
The vibrational and visual traits gently ebb and flow, like a tide, as they radiate inexorably from that polished black surface. They protect, ground, and balance, leaving the holder refreshed and rebalanced.