Whether you’ve worn or held black obsidian, you’ll understand its power. While black tourmaline and onyx are also black stones, there’s something specifically unique to black obsidian that draws magical folks in. It’s been used for centuries by various cultures for various magical and medicinal purposes. The photo below is of a beach in Iceland with sand that’s made of black obsidian. How majestic. Let’s explore black obsidian metaphysical properties AND learn how to use this divine stone in our spiritual practices and daily lives.

First, What is Black Obsidian?

To put it simply, black obsidian is volcanic glass – it’s formed from felsic lava and is riddled with elements like sodium, oxygen, potassium and more. Mexico is one of the biggest producers of black obsidian, but it’s also found worldwide in volcanic regions like Argentina, Iceland, New Zealand, Peru and even in the United States.

The best way to describe black obsidian is it looks like beautiful, shiny black glass. However, that doesn’t mean that all obsidian is pure black in color. Some other obsidian colors include snowflake (black with white spots), dark brown, gray, and with iridescent tints. Because its made from lava, it is hard and brittle which means it chips easily. It has a long history of use in many ancient cultures…

Feared Ancient Weaponry, Tools, and Reflections

Black obsidian has been used for hundreds of thousands of years. We have archaeological evidence of its use dating back to 700,000 BC. That’s a long freaking time ago. Apparently our prehistoric ancestors figured out we could fracture obsidian and form it into tools and even into weapons like blades and arrowheads. This practice has continued into modern times, at least with decorative objects.

The Aztecs and Mayans were particularly fond of obsidian and carved it into ritual pieces, decorations, and mirrors. Rumor has it the Aztecs used obsidian mirrors in malefic magic, and still others peered into its inky black depths to divine the future. The macuahuitl is an ancient Aztec sword that looks almost like a paddle with black obsidian pieces surrounding its edges. Those obsidian pieces were so sharp, they could cut through anything or anyone that got in their way. Therefore, the Spanish Conquistadors feared the macuahuitl.

POWERFUL Black Obsidian Metaphysical Properties

In our opinion and experience, this stone is one of the most magical on the planet. The ancients knew it. And once you work closely with it, you’ll know it. Just as obsidian is used reflectively in the physical, it’s also used reflectively in the spiritual. Here’s black obsidian’s metaphysical properties:

• Helps expose and heal past life trauma – provides a look into the past like a mirror
• Protection from evil spirits and illness – absorbs negative energy in its inky black depths
• Wards off negative energy of all kinds – negativity energy bounces off
• Shields against toxic relationships and situations
• Blocks psychic attack, sleep paralysis, and night terrors
• Brings clarity of mind and memory
• Stops greed and abuse of power in authoritative office and positions (I wish we could place obsidian obelisks all over DC!)
• Divination is potent when done with a black obsidian mirror, crystal ball, or obsidian piece
• Grounds negative energy
• Calls back the soul in shamanic journeys
• Aids in deep shadow work
• Helps in healing generational curses and ancestral cycles
• Great to have in the office – helps analyze business decisions and promotes self confidence
• Promotes spontaneity and shakes up stagnance
• Brings strength and courage
• Removes spiritual and emotional blockages
• Promotes compassion
• Calming in stressful situations
• Removes blockages in the root chakra (as does black tourmaline)

Some of its Magic is in its Black Color…

Remember too that black obsidian’s color is magical in and of itself. So obsidian that’s black in color takes on all of the magical attributes of that color including:

• Mysteries of the Universe
• Wisdom
• Wards negativity
• Absorbs negativity
• Protection from evil spirits and illness
• Shadow work
• Binding, banishing and reversals
• Quietness/silence
• Solitude
• Mourning
• Life/death/rebirth cycle

Black Obsidian’s Healing Medicinal Properties

Because black obsidian shines a light on nearly all situations, it can also be used to shine a light onto complex medical cases. It provides insight to the cause of disease – physical and mental. It’s been used by healers for thousands of years and has the following medicinal properties:

• Promotes good circulation
• Detoxification
• In warming the extremities
• Relieves arthritis and joint pain
• Relieves menstrual and digestive cramps
• Beneficial for an enlarged prostate
• Apache tear: aids in absorption of Vitamins C and D
• Removes blockages of all kinds, particularly in the lower half of the body

Please note – black obsidian is not a medicine and should not be taken internally. When we talk about crystals having medicinal properties, these properties are accessed with specific healing techniques. With healings performed by experienced, trained crystal and energy healers like Reiki masters, crystal healers, Chinese doctors, energy workers, etc. However, if you want to wear or hold black obsidian with the intention to aid in healing your body, go for it!

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How to Use Black Obsidian in Your Spiritual Practice

How you choose to use black obsidian is up to you. Everyone’s spiritual practice will be different from the next person’s because we are all individuals. The great thing about this stone is it has a plethora of spiritual, metaphysical and medicinal qualities to harness. And there’s truly no limit as to how you can use black obsidian. My favorite way to use this stone is simply holding it when I need to feel grounded, ward negative energy, or prevent nightmares. Here’s a few more ideas:

• Black mirror scrying OR scrying with a large tumbled piece or crystal ball
• Enchant jewelry and use as an amulet or talisman
• Add to spell jars and witch bottles
• Add to spell bags
• Place around the tub during ritual baths
• Encircle your candles in candle rituals and spells
• Hold or wear during meditations
• Hold, wear, or place on the body during chakra alignments
• Use along with Reiki in healing rituals
• Black obsidian wands can be waved over a person or place for any of the listed metaphysical properties/intentions
• Some runes and other divination tools are made from black obsidian, which increases their power
• Because it’s reflective, use in reversal spells
• Black obsidian is frequently used in binding and banishing rituals because of its color and volcanic origins

Black Obsidian Daily Use

This is one of my favorite stones to use on a daily basis. Though some people find its effects overwhelming. If this is you, balance out the energy with selenite or any crystal that corresponds to the crown or third eye chakra. How do you use this stone in your daily rituals and routines? Place pieces of it around the home, particularly in places that need protection from negative energy like the front door, near computers and TVs, etc. Wear obsidian to aid in grounding and connecting to Mother Earth. This is especially helpful if you often find yourself feeling flighty or scattered.

To share a personal story about this protective stone – once I was being attacked by evil spirits at night. I believe another magical practitioner was sending these beings to torment me. For what reason, I don’t know. I had the worst bout of sleep paralysis and, for the first time ever, I experienced night terrors at an adult age. For a matter of three days, I was riddled with anxiety and in fear of going to bed at night. I didn’t want to deal with the nightmare I’d been experiencing.

After cleansing myself and my space, my guides told me to find my black obsidian palm stone. I left it in reachable distance on my nightstand that night. As soon as I felt the oppression starting, I grabbed it and held it tight to my chest. I prayed and did Reiki and felt the energy of the stone moving through me and shielding me from harm. After that night, the spirits left me alone and I slept like a baby! My point is – black obsidian is strong and will help protect you in nearly any negative situation. It’s a great stone to have on-hand.

How to Care for Black Obsidian

If you need to clean your black obsidian stone or jewelry, it’s best to use clear water and only a mild soap or detergent, if absolutely necessary. Don’t use any kind of hard or scratchy surface, as this will scar or scratch your stone. Spiritually cleanse your stone by running it through the smoke of a purifying herb, using sound like Tibetan singing bowls or bells, or burying it in soil for 3 days. I also like to charge my black obsidian with power by setting it out in the moonlight on a Full Moon. OR by holding it in my hands and channeling divine energy or Reiki into it.

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