🪨Origins & Formation

A natural glass formed when lava cools rapidly without crystallizing.

🌍Where It’s Found

• Mexico: classic artifacts and blades
• Iceland & Italy: prominent volcanic fields
• USA: Pacific Northwest obsidian flows

📜History & Cultural Significance

Used in ritual mirrors and blades across Mesoamerica; modern lore emphasizes cutting through illusion.

🧘Chakra Connection

Aligns with the Root chakra for protection and grounding.

• Root: Grounding, shadow work, safe boundaries.

💫Tarot Connection

Tarot ties emphasize transformation and truth:

• Death: Release and renewal.
• The Devil: Facing attachments and patterns.

♒Zodiac & Astrology

Often linked to introspective signs:

• Scorpio: Depth and transformation.
• Capricorn: Endurance and realism.

Color varieties have nuanced meanings.

✨Healing Properties & Symbolism

• Protection: Worn or placed by doors for shielding.
• Truth: Aids honest self‑assessment and boundaries.
• Release: Supports letting go of dense emotions.

These qualities reflect traditional lore and spiritual practices and are not medical claims.

🧭Everyday Uses & Care

• Jewelry & decor: Wear or keep at thresholds.
• Meditation: Use for shadow work with grounding.
• Care tips: Robust – cleanse with smoke, sound, or dry salt.

⛰️Geological Context

Rapidly cooled felsic lava forming natural glass; varieties include snowflake, mahogany, and sheen obsidian.

🧪Scientific Properties

🤝Ethical Sourcing

Collected in volcanic fields; respect local regulations and cultural sites—buy from reputable sources.

🧤Safety & Handling

• Edges can be razor‑sharp—handle carefully.
• Brittle—avoid impacts and dropping.
• Clean with mild soap and water
• avoid ultrasonic.

🔎Similar Crystals

• Onyx glass (man‑made)
• Jet (organic)
• Black Tourmaline (striated)

📚Further Reading

• Mindat — Obsidian (Black)
• Wikipedia — Obsidian (Black)