Obsidian

Origin and history

Obsidian forms in regions of intense recent volcanic activity: Mexico (vast pre-Columbian deposits — central material of Mesoamerican cultures, who made knives, blades and ritual mirrors), Iceland, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Armenia, Japan, Indonesia, USA. Mesoamerican civilisations (Olmec, Maya, Aztec) used obsidian intensively: blades, knives, ritual mirrors of the god Tezcatlipoca ("Smoking Mirror" — supreme god whose name explicitly refers to the divinatory obsidian mirror), arrow points, sacrificial blades.

In ancient Greco-Roman world, obsidian was named after the Roman Obsius who was credited with discovering it in Ethiopia (although the etymology is debated; modern researchers think the name actually derives from Greek opsianós lithos, "stone of the eye" — referring to the dark reflective surface). Used for ritual objects in Delphi and other Greek temples. In modern times, obsidian had period of pop popularity especially as gemstone in jewellery (the famous Mexican gold-sheen obsidian) and as central tool of contemporary crystal therapy.

Esoteric properties

Obsidian is one of the most powerful protective stones of crystal therapy: 1) Absolute energetic protection — psychic shield against external negative energies, malign influences, environmental psychic attacks. Especially used in subtle "war" environments. 2) Confrontation with the personal shadow — obsidian "shows" what is hidden in your own unconscious; not as gentle as rose quartz; you have to work with obsidian respectfully because it can bring out repressed material from the unconscious to the surface (which is healing but not gentle process). 3) Unsentimental truth-telling — does not let you stay in spiritual self-deception; "cuts" the comfortable masks. 4) Cleansing of accumulated heavy energies.

5) Divinatory work and "scrying" — the polished obsidian mirror is one of the most traditional tools of clairvoyance by mirror gazing; the dark reflective surface allows the unconscious to project visions. 6) Grounding after intense spiritual experiences. 7) Heavy-energy releasing work — placed near solar plexus during crisis processing meditations.

Common varieties: black obsidian (the most powerful and direct), obsidian "mahogany" (with reddish-brown spots — softer protection), "snowflake" obsidian (with whitish patterns — more gentle, useful for slower cleansings), "gold-sheen" obsidian (with golden iridescent shine — protection + abundance), "rainbow" obsidian (with multicoloured iridescences — emotional healing).

Use and considerations

1) Carry as protection: tumbled stone in pocket, pendant, ring of black obsidian. 2) Place at front door of home as energetic guardian. 3) Cleanse OFTEN — obsidian absorbs much; it is the stone that needs most periodic cleansing (smoke, salt water, full moon, brief earth burying). 4) Brief use periods for shadow work — start with short sessions (10-20 min meditating with obsidian on the chest); if you feel destabilised, leave it. 5) Avoid prolonged extended use at first if you are emotionally vulnerable — its power is real and can produce intense releases. 6) Mirror divination: requires preparation; start with brief sessions in dim candlelight. Attention: obsidian is real volcanic glass; can have very sharp edges in raw stone — handle with care.