Callie August, 2009

Black Obsidian

Obsidian is igneous rock with inclusions from lava erupting and cooling within the earth.  The speed in which it cools prevents crystallization.  There are many different forms of Obsidian.  Sometimes bubbles get trapped and when they get densely packed that can give you gold, rainbow, or silver sheens to the stone.  Clusters of small cristobalite or feldspar can also get trapped in the stone, giving you Snowflake Obsidian.  Apache Tears are the result of wind and water smoothing out the rock.  Mahogany Obsidian is formed with Iron.  Black Obsidian is one of the most commonly worked with forms of Obsidian.

Black Obsidian is grounding and centering.  It represents strength.  This quality of Black Obsidian is why it is difficult to use.  While it is used in protection rituals and can allow you to see the situation or enemy when it is hidden, it does this in a very powerful way.

Black Obsidian is a stone without boundaries or limitations.  It works very fast and with great power.  Its reflective qualities are merciless.  It exposes flaws, weakness, and blockages.  When working with Obsidian nothing is hidden and we are compelled to grow.  Some support is lent during this process, but if you are not ready to deal with the issue at hand the stone can be harsh.

For example, if you are having money problems and work with Black Obsidian, it can bring the bill collectors to your door.  Without dealing with your issues of past spending, you are unable to grow.  In order to move past bad credit you have to take care of the bill collectors.  It lends you gentle support, but you may not be ready for that step.

Negative emotions and unpleasant truths can come rushing to the surface, it can be overwhelming.  Black Obsidian brings you face to face with who you truly are.  It connects you to your shadow side and teaches you now to integrate the two.  Negative energies are magnified so they can be fully experienced.  Use with care and only if you are able to consciously process what you will see and only for the highest good.  It can be difficult to use if you are not prepared to face reality.

Placing it under the pillow can draw out mental stress and tension and calm.  It can also bring up the reason for the stress and the reasons have to be confronted before peace can return.  This property can lead to nightmares.  Sometimes we are afraid of what we need to face.  You can combine with Clear Quartz if Black Obsidian is too powerful.

Black Obsidian is also used for divination.  It is a popular material for scrying.  There is a truth enhancing component to Black Obsidian that brings clarity and clears away confusion.  Black Obsidian is a talking stone, hold a piece over your ear and listen carefully, it is clairaudient.

This stone is also protective, it can block psychic attacks, dissolve emotional blockage, promote compassion, and strength.  Black Obsidian absorbs anger and can regroup scattered energies and protect from evil spirit.  If you are just beginning your work with crystals it would be better to begin working with a more gentle form of Obsidian like Snowflake, Mahogany, or Rainbow Sheen.

Tags: black, gem, obsidian, rock, stone

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Nyna Shtern March, 2009

Spring Cleaning

During this time of year, the winds are picking up, Marching us along to a more brisk beat as they blow us to and fro.  These winds symbolize more for us than new bothersome allergies and messed up hair.  They are the winds of change, making room for new things to grow into our lives.

New plants are beginning to push their way up through the soil, and new thoughts, people and opportunities are likewise trying to grow their way into our lives.  If we cling to old habits for comfort, we are not making room for new and better  opportunities to come into our realm.  Though an old shoe is  predictable and familiar, it is also not as comfortable as a new and more improved shoe can be.  Also the new shoe may allow us to walk faster down our life path.  As long as we keep such analogies in mind, all  the changes this time of year presents will happen much more smoothly.

A very suitable stone friend for helping in such times of change is Snowflake Obsidian.  This stone is the normal black of obsidian with white flecks in it, thus the name snowflake.  It is often called the stone of change, and helps us to emotionally and mentally adapt to changes.  In this, we see that the change is necessary and likely better for us though it may not seem so right away as we’re being dragged out of our comfort zone by the change that is presented.

Snowflake obsidian teaches us that in an old comfort zone we do not have room to grow.  Snowflakes and opportunities are  both fleeting, and must be tasted while they’re falling toward us, before they melt away.  The gentle grounding of this wonderful stone keeps us centered so that we may think clearly as each change comes with important choices.  If we’re too scattered and ungrounded, any choice can be unclear.  Snowflake obsidian, worn as  jewelry or carried in a pocket and held often, is a wonderful companion when riding the March winds of change.  May your emotional and physical spring cleaning bear much fruit of new opportunity.  As Always Happy Stoning!

Tags: crystal, gem, obsidian, snowflake obsidian, stone

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