OBSIDIAN

Obsidian is a naturally occurring volcanic glass formed as an extrusive igneous rock. It is created when felsic lava that is extruded from a volcano cools rapidly with minimal crystal growth. It is hard, brittle, and amorphous; and therefore, fractures with very sharp edges. Obsidian is extremely rich in silicates and has a chemical formula of SiO2. It has a Mohs hardness of 5 – 5.5, making it slightly less hard than the mineral quartz. Pure obsidian is typically very dark in appearance, though the coloration often varies depending on the specific impurities that may also be present within the structure. Most often, iron and other transition elements give the glass its distinctly black color. While under certain circumstances, inclusions of small, white, radially clustered crystals of the mineral cristobalite can produce a blotchy, snowflake-like pattern within the black obsidian- this material is aptly named “snowflake obsidian”. Additionally, obsidian may sometimes contain microscopic patterns of gas bubbles that still remain from the initial lava flow. These bubbles can produce interesting, iridescent effects on the glassy surface. These particular variations are called Golden Sheen, and Silver Sheen, Obsidian. Most notably, though, is the highly desired, colorful, sometimes striped variation of obsidian, called Rainbow Obsidian, and it gets its spectacular rainbow sheen from resulting thin-film interference within distinctly oriented nanoparticle inclusions of the mineral magnetite. This uncommon variation of obsidian bends and refracts light across the surface of the specimen, allowing for the viewer to see a wide range of colors and flow patterns.

OBSIDIAN HISTORY

Historically, the name “obsidian” can be traced back to the Roman Empire, where famed philosopher and naturalist, Pliny the Elder, first made mention of the mineraloid in his book “The Natural History”. The book includes a few references to a volcanic glass, called obsidian (lapis obsidianus), which was said to be initially discovered by the Roman explorer Obsidius, for which it is named.

Archeological discoveries have indicated that obsidian may have been regularly used by our early ancestors. Its ability to maintain sharpened edges made it an incredibly useful tool for hunting, quartering, and skinning prey animals; however, weapons made of obsidian were susceptible to regular breakages and were inevitably phased out as fire-strengthened forms of jasper, and later, metals, were discovered to be more reliable for regular use. Additionally, obsidian medical instruments have been used across numerous ancient cultures, including significant archeological findings from a Bronze Age settlement called Ikiztepe, which is located within the Black Sea Province of Turkey. There, obsidian scalpels dated to roughly 4,000 years ago were famously discovered. These findings, along with precision cut human remains, indicate an early form of medical procedure; more specifically, brain surgery. Additional discoveries in North Africa would further indicate that Ancient Egyptians used obsidian blades in order to make precise incisions for embalming and mummification practices. Further archeological findings out of the North and South American continents would continue to suggest obsidians widespread use as a primitive cutting tool. However, cutting tools weren’t the only known use for the volcanic glass in these regions, as recent discoveries hailing from the Aztec Empire would insist that the early Aztec peoples sometimes crafted the material for use as a ritualistic scrying mirror. The mirrors were called tezcatl, and they were considered to be instruments of divination. It was said that by gazing into the mirror's smoky depths, sorcerers could travel to the world of their gods and ancestors, seeking divine affirmations and knowledge from the deities.

As recent as the 1960s, obsidian had still been in widespread use for the making of fine blade precision cuts, and was most often considered the sharpest available option for surgical scalpel instruments. These practices have been considerably phased out, as the enhancement of laser technology has become the operational standard for fine precision surgical procedure. However less common, there are surgeons who still prefer to use surgical obsidian scalpels to this day.

OBSIDIAN METAPHYSICS

Metaphysically, obsidian is a stone most often associated with the Root and Third Eye Chakra’s; however, it may help to facilitate positive frequencies throughout the other chakras, depending on its specific type and inclusions. Obsidian is considered a stone of strength and protection, offering stability and balance when faced with difficult and chaotic circumstances or situations. Obsidian can also aid its user by bringing clarity to the mind, and allow for ancestral communication through the pineal gland, or Third Eye. A stone of release, it is said that obsidian helps to clear negative and unwanted energies from a person or space. Physically, obsidian is said to aid its user with afflictions of the blood and circulatory system. It is also said to alleviate joint pain and swelling, as well as aid the body with detoxification.