Black Obsidian

Are you the “always bet on black” type?  If you find yourself drawn to the powerful, enigmatic vibes of the Obsidian crystal, it could be a sign that you're in need of a deep psychic cleanse.

AFFIRMATION: “I am safe from the negative energy of others and protected from harm. I flow without obstruction.”

BEST FOR: protection from negative energy. Persistence through difficult times. Dissolving emotional blocks through self-reflection

ORIGINS: Iceland, Italy, USA

The History of Black Obsidian

Obsidian is considered the stone of the Mayan and Aztecs. The volcanic rock was so abundant in the region that they used it for basically everything, from utensils to jewellery to weapons.  

In ancient Mexican culture, Obsidian was called Itzli, which literally translates to “God of Stone”. The peoples of ancient Mexico used polished obsidian mirrors, or tezcatl, as instruments of black magic. By gazing into a mirror's smoky depths, sorcerers travelled to the world of gods and ancestors and prophets could scry the future.  

However the name “Obsidian”, as it's known by today, comes from the Roman Obsius, who was the first European to discover this volcanic glass in Ethiopia.

Because obsidian is only found in locations that have experienced volcanic eruptions, the most common mining sources for this gemstone are Argentina, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Canada, Chile, Georgia, Greece, El Salvador, Guatemala, Iceland, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Scotland, Turkey and the United States.

Recognising Black Obsidian

Obsidian is an igneous rock that forms above the Earth's surface when molten rock cools very quickly. The result is a volcanic glass with a smooth, uniform texture.  The dark hue of Obsidian is due to the presence of iron and magnesium. When the formation of the volcanic glass is free from inclusions, the end result is clear Black Obsidian, which is considered quite rare - more often than not, the rocks will include some inclusions which will give it a brownish, yellowish or reddish colouring.

Obsidian can be recognized by its glassy structure and single refraction.  Obsidian can produce rock fragments with very sharp edges.  In fact, it is so sharp that it is still used in surgical tools today.

Black Obsidian rates a 5-5.5 on the Mohs hardness scale.

What is Black Obsidian used for? 

Known as the "psychic vacuum cleaner," Obsidian is your spiritual home cleaning service, giving you the energy to sweep the emotional rubble and debris from your past.

The bodyguard to your soul, the Obsidian crystal can also protect you from inner darkness, by sharpening and focussing internal and external vision and acting as a mirror to your inner self, showing you the parts of yourself that you may shy away from.

The Obsidian stone also makes a trusty wingman to carry with you during a healing process, especially one that unfolds over time.  Meditating with Obsidian can help you get in touch with those inner demons and buried issues before they explode in a potentially head shaving, umbrella wielding meltdown.