Last updated by Madison Carter
Every stone resonates with your signs. What are yours?
Sun, Moon and Rising: the foundation of your birth chart
Black, glossy and sharper than glass, obsidian is born from the fire of volcanoes. A prehistoric weapon and the mirror of Aztec seers, it is today one of the most powerful protection stones in crystal healing.
Discover its origins, its virtues and how to wear it, because this stone must be handled wisely. See also the properties of each gemstone.
Color
Gray, deep black and sometimes red
Crystal system
None: amorphous volcanic glass
Composition
Silicon dioxide (glass of rhyolitic composition)
Symbol
Balance and stability
Price
From $2 to $100
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Obsidian is a natural glass: lava so rich in silica and cooled so quickly that it had no time to crystallize. Its name goes back to Pliny the Elder, who attributed it to a certain Obsius, said to have discovered the stone in Ethiopia.
From prehistoric times it served as a weapon and tool: when it breaks, it becomes sharper than glass. Its black color linked it to death and the cult of the dead; Herodotus reports that Egyptian embalmers made their incisions with an “Ethiopian stone,” often identified as obsidian. The Aztecs read the future in polished obsidian mirrors, attributes of Tezcatlipoca, the god of the “smoking mirror.”
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Depending on its inclusions, obsidian takes on very different faces. Snowflake obsidian is scattered with small white flakes; mahogany obsidian mixes black with reddish-brown swirls; golden or rainbow obsidian reveals iridescent sheens in the light.
“Apache tears” are small translucent nodules. Legend has it that after the death of Apache warriors, the tears of their wives turned to stone: whoever carries one will never cry again. As for the Aztec obsidian mirror of John Dee, astrologer to Queen Elizabeth I, it is kept at the British Museum.
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In crystal healing, obsidian is a fascinating stone for the energies it gives off. Above all it is a shield: it absorbs negativity and helps you free yourself from what weighs on you.
It protects against bad energies and negativity.
It helps with decision-making and awakens the desire for change.
It frees you from self-deprecating thoughts and soothes sadness or anger.
It reduces stress, helps you relax and brings a feeling of support.
If you are often gripped by fear, obsidian placed at the base of the spine harmonizes the root chakra and strengthens your sense of grounding and safety. During meditation, it balances the third eye chakra and strengthens your intuition, creativity and self-confidence.
Obsidian is tricky to pair because it disperses the energy of other stones. Stones of the same color are a safe bet: with black tourmaline, it brings energy, a taste for challenges and a clear mind. Worn with quartz, it offers a deep sense of well-being: together, these two protective stones form a rampart against negativity.
It is a very powerful stone. Some say it can bring buried behaviors and feelings to the surface: use it wisely, so that it frees you from your blockages without creating new ones. It remains a stone of choice for anyone who wants to bring change into their life.
⚠️ The virtues attributed to stones come from traditions and beliefs. They are not a treatment and do not replace medical advice.
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Looking for other protective stones? Discover garnet and lapis lazuli.
Key takeaways 📌
Madison's insights: a stone to handle wisely
Obsidian is a stone of choice to bring change into your life. A spiritual advisor can help you know whether it is right for you, and how to use it. The future is mine.
Talk to a spiritual advisor 💎✦ ✦
Article presented by
Madison Carter
"Psychic Healer & Angelic Channel for MyAstro ✨ As a psychic healer and angelic channel, I translate loving guidance from the divine into practical wisdom. My work is dedicated to delivering messages from guardian angels that bring clarity, comfort, and deep spiritual healing. Through MyAstro, I aim..."
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