Obsidian is a popular crystal, prized for its deep black colour and glassy texture. It's formed from volcanic lava that cools rapidly, resulting in its smooth, often shiny appearance.
Color and varieties
Obsidian comes in a variety of colors, ranging from jet black to gray, brown, green, and even translucent hues. Each color is influenced by the presence of different minerals or inclusions. Some common varieties of obsidian include:
Black Obsidian: The most well-known variety, black obsidian is prized for its deep black color and glassy sheen.
Snowflake Obsidian: Characterized by white or gray snowflake-like patterns, snowflake obsidian is often used for its grounding and purifying properties.
Rainbow Obsidian: Exhibiting iridescent bands of color, rainbow obsidian is believed to enhance joy and positivity while facilitating emotional healing.
MOH Scale
With a Mohs hardness of around 5 to 5.5, obsidian is harder than most metals used in jewelry-making but softer than common gemstones like quartz, sapphire, and diamond. Despite its relative softness compared to these harder minerals, obsidian's sharp edges and glassy texture make it suitable for use in tools, decorative objects, and jewellery. However, it may be prone to scratching or chipping if subjected to rough handling or abrasion.
Healing benefits
Protection: Obsidian is highly regarded for its protective qualities. It's believed to create a shield against negativity, psychic attacks, and harmful energies. Many people use obsidian as a talisman or amulet to ward off negative influences and promote a sense of security.
Grounding: Obsidian is often used for grounding and centring energy. It can help individuals feel more rooted and connected to the Earth, providing a sense of stability and balance. This grounding effect can be particularly beneficial for those who feel scattered or overwhelmed.
Emotional healing: Obsidian facilitates emotional healing by encouraging self-awareness and introspection. It can help individuals confront deep-seated emotions, traumas, and negative patterns, allowing for healing and transformation. Obsidian is often used in shadow work, a process of exploring and integrating the darker aspects of the self.
Clarity and insight: Obsidian is believed to enhance mental clarity, intuition, and insight. It can help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their circumstances, enabling them to make more informed decisions and navigate life's challenges with greater wisdom.
Spiritual protection: In addition to its protective qualities, obsidian is associated with spiritual purification and cleansing. It's believed to clear stagnant energy, remove blockages, and purify the auric field, promoting spiritual growth and alignment.
Chakra balancing: Obsidian is often used to balance and align the root chakra, which is located at the base of the spine. By grounding excess energy and promoting a sense of security, obsidian can help bring the root chakra into balance, fostering feelings of safety, stability, and vitality.
Pairing with other crystals
Pairing crystals with obsidian can enhance or complement its properties, creating synergistic effects. Here are some crystals that are often paired with obsidian:
Amethyst: Amethyst is associated with calming energy and emotional healing. Combining amethyst with obsidian can create a harmonious balance between grounding and emotional support, making it ideal for inner healing and spiritual growth.
Citrine: Citrine is associated with abundance, prosperity, and positivity. When combined with obsidian, it can help remove energetic blockages and attract abundance into your life while providing a sense of stability and protection.
Selenite: Selenite is known for its purifying and cleansing properties. Pairing it with obsidian can create a powerful energy-clearing duo, removing negative energy and promoting clarity and balance.
Black Tourmaline: Like obsidian, black tourmaline is a powerful protective stone. Combining these two stones can create a potent shield against negativity, psychic attacks, and electromagnetic radiation while promoting grounding and stability.
Hematite: Hematite is known for its grounding and balancing properties. When paired with obsidian, it can enhance feelings of stability, strength, and protection while promoting inner peace and emotional balance.
