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  • Writer's pictureInquisitive Mystic
    • Mar 28, 2022
    • 8 min read

Dark Crystals


Dark Crystals…No, I don’t mean the 1980’s film and Netflix reboot. However, the 80’s film was pretty awesome from what I can remember from watching it during my childhood. What I’m talking about is…you guessed it, more magical rocks!!! Don’t worry, I am totally going to do a podcast episode and blog about the Resonance Theory of Consciousness for you. I promise.


In case you are absolutely dying to know about the Resonance Theory of Consciousness sooner than I can get it to you. The theory is brought to you by Tam Hunt and Johnathan Schooler and they have a TON of podcasts, research articles, books, and blogs featuring related content. Just Google their names or Resonance Theory of Consciousness(RTC) and you’ll find it or you can always wait a few more weeks and I will spoon feed it to you myself. I'm going to drop a few links to podcasts and articles on RTC for you here:


Let's Talk About Some Magic Black Rocks!


Black crystals can seem intriguing and mysterious. This can be alluring to some the, but the darkness can be intimidating to others. Black crystals are used for protection, healing, banishing negative energy, grounding, and cleansing or purification. This blog will discuss the metaphysical properties and the geology of 4 (and a half) mystical, magical black stones.


Obsidian

Obsidian is a gemstone that is derived from volcanic glass. While it comes in colors other than black, this blog will be focusing specifically on black obsidian. Black obsidian is a stone used for healing, protection, and revealing the truth. Black obsidian is linked to the root chakra and may be used to keep one grounded. This stone protects against negative energy and can be used to clear the mind. It is also believed to give courage. Obsidian is frequently used in magical and mediation practices.


Obsidian may be used to open the third eye chakra and connect with the spiritual realm. Obsidian is used for shadow work, helping to reveal the truth about the dark side of our self and creating a path that enables us to move toward the light. Not for the faint of heart, obsidian is used to confront mental and spiritual demons in order to find inner peace, emotional or spiritual healing. Obsidian is the zodiac birthstone for Scorpio. Scorpios are full of fiery passion and intense energy. While obsidian is also intense, it can work to help keep Scorpio grounded and bring a sense of emotional health and balance. This stone is also suitable for Sagittarius.


Finally, obsidian can be used for the magical practice of scrying. Scrying is a form of divination. www.dreaminggoddess.com says: “Black Obsidian has been used as a scrying tool in many ancient cultures. In Mesoamerican civilizations, it was polished into mirrors which reflected shadow images and were seen as metaphors for sacred caves and bodies of water or as a passage for supernatural entities. In Mayan civilizations, these Obsidian mirrors were tools used to communicate with otherworldly forces or as a portal to other realms. Black Obsidian has a deep association in ancient Mexican and Aztec cultures, specifically with their nocturnal sky god, Tezcatlipoca, whose name means “Smoking Mirror”. Tezcatlipoca was believed to have the ability to see all that happened in this world and the heavens through his Black Obsidian mirror. One of the most famous Obsidian mirrors to date is that of Dr. Dee, an English mathematician who acquired the mirror after the conquest of Mexico. Dr. Dee was also an astrologer and an advisor to both Queen Mary I and Queen Elizabeth I for his use in magical pursuits. Dr. Dee made great strides in the last 30 years of his life in an effort to communicate with angelic beings which he believed would allow him to bring about the pre-apocalyptic unity of humankind. He claimed this mirror was presented to him by Archangel Uriel and granted him the ability to call upon spirits of other realms. This gained the mirror the nicknames “Dr. Dee’s Magic Mirror” and “The Devil’s Looking Glass”. Obsidian has been known by many names and was not only used in scrying. In ancient Mexican civilizations it was known as izti meaning “the Divine Stone”. Obsidian was also used in Aztec civilizations as a balm for healing scars as they believed using the same substance which created the wounds would also heal them. Native Americans compared Obsidian to the Great Void or the Great Mystery from which all things are created. It was referred to as a stone for spiritual dreaming.”

Obsidian Geology: Obsidian is an igneous rock, meaning it is formed from molten material. It does not have a crystalline structure and it is considered a mineraloid. Obsidian is a volcanic glass rock that has a conchoidal fracture, meaning that when it breaks you can see little semi-circular ridges (See photo above). It is very sharp on the edges of these fractures. For this reason, Obsidian was frequently used by ancient cultures to make arrowheads and other tools. Obsidian is an extrusive rock, meaning it is found above the earth’s surface. You can find obsidian pretty much anywhere that lava flows (outer edges) or used to flow. Obsidian is common worldwide, however it can only be found at sites with geologically recent volcanic activity. Fun fact: There is a lot of Obsidian found in the US, but none is found east of the Mississippi river. Obsidian is easy to recognize, this combined with the widespread use of Obsidian for tool making lead to it being one of the first targets for organized mining efforts.


Obsidian blades can be sharper and thinner than surgical steel. Today obsidian blades are placed in surgical scalpels and used for precision surgeries. There have been studies done that say obsidian is equal to or superior to surgical steel. WOW!


While artisans love using obsidian for jewelry it is a 5.5 on the Mohs scale and easily breaks or scratches. There have however been countless jewelry pieces, mirrors, and obsidian sculptures created over the years.


Apache Tear Obsidian

According to Hobart M. King, PhD, “"Apache Tears" is a name used for small obsidian nodules of about one inch or less that can be found in volcanic areas of the southwestern United States. Their name comes from a Native American legend. During a battle between Apaches and the U.S. Cavalry in 1870 (in what is now Superior, Arizona), the outnumbered Apaches, facing defeat, rode their horses over a cliff rather than allow themselves to be killed by their enemy. Upon hearing the story of the battle, the tears of their family members turned to stone when they hit the ground. Those stones are now found as the black obsidian nodules. People who do rock tumbling often polish Apache Tears. They are difficult to polish because the obsidian chips and bruises easily. Success occurs when they are cushioned during the tumbling with smaller pieces of rough or small ceramic media.”


Black Tourmaline

Tourmaline comes in a variety of beautiful colors with different metaphysical uses and properties. Black tourmaline is the stone of protection. It is believed to be the most protective of the dark crystals. Black tourmaline is connected to the root chakra. It is used for grounding and absorbing negative energy.


Black Tourmaline Geology: Tourmaline is one of the largest and most colorful groups of gemstones. Tourmaline is a boron silicate mineral with a common crystructure and physical properties. The chemical variance causes the different coloring of each stone, black being the most common color. It is an accessory in igneous and metamorphic rock formed during hydrothermal activity (heat and water). It is pretty hard at 7-7.5 Mohs scale, making it very durable and weather resistant. Tourmaline can be found all over the world including: Brazil, Maine & California in the U.S., China, Germany, and more. The stone has indistinct cleave, so if the stone you are looking at has a cleave it is probably an imposter. There are 32 different tourmaline minerals. Most tourmalines are referred to by names based on their color. Black tourmaline called, “Schorl”.

Onyx

Black onyx is a variety of chalcedony. It is black with white banding, but it can also be found in a variety of other colors. The name Onyx means “nail” or “claw” in Greek. The name comes from the Greek/Roman myth about Cupid, who cut off his mother Venus’ fingernails with his arrow. They fell from Mount Olympus into the Indus River and turned into onyx. Like many other dark crystals, onyx is used for grounding and protection. Onyx is a bringer of joy and good fortune. It dispels negative energy and anxiety. Onyx is associated with the root chakra and can be used for grounding. This is the zodiac birthstone for Leos and helps them to balance out insecurity and jealousy. It is said that the more negative energy that the stone absorbs, the darker it becomes. Cleopatra wore onyx that was said to vibrate to warn her of potential danger or negative energy.


Onyx Geology: Onyx is a banded variety of chalcedony, an oxide mineral. It is banded agate with white bands that are parallel and consistent. It is found all over the world. The stone itself is rare and there are many fakes that make convincing mimics. It is a hard stone. 7 on the Mohs Scale. It is used for carving, jewelry, cameos, sculpture, bowls, and more.


Hematite

Hematite! It’s mostly iron. Most folks in the medical field know the Latin root word “Hema” means blood. Hematite gets its name from the high iron content and sometimes its color because this stone can be found in shades of gray, silver, black, and reddish-brown. Hematite has a gorgeous lustrous shine. It is a heavy rock with a nice grounding weight to it.

“The ancient Greeks associated iron with the god Aries (Mars in the Roman pantheon), the god of war, and soldiers would rub hematite over their bodies before battle. Kunz suggests this is presumably to make them invulnerable, but hematite powder would have also colored the skin red, and so it may have been intended to startle or frighten their enemies. Traditionally, hematite was used in many cultures over thousands of years to staunch blood flow in wounds (noted by Anselmus Di Boot, court physician to Rudolph II of Germany, in 1609). Pliny the Elder cites its use (usually through ingestion) to stop excessive menstrual bleeding and treat blood disorders. "


Fun fact: This stone was ground up and used in cave paintings and hieroglyphics.


This stone is associated with magic, blood, and protection. The stone is associated with root chakra for grounding. The stone is believed to help with circulation problems, heavy periods, or bleeding associated with childbirth. It is thought to boost self-esteem and help break addictive behaviors. This is the zodiac birthstone of Aquarius and can help to keep them from overthinking things. This stone also helps to ground the fiery spirit of Aries.


Hematite Geology: Hematite is iron ore, one of the most abundant minerals on Earth’s surface. It is found in sedimentary, igneous, and metamorphic rocks all over the world. Even though Hematite comes in a variety of colors it always produces a reddish streak. This is the most important clue for identification.

Specular Hematite has lots of luster making it super duper shiny! This stone is medium harness 5-6.5 on the Mohs scale.


Fun Fact: Hematite is the most abundant rock on the surface of Mars. This is what gives Mars its color and nickname the “Red Planet”.


Hematite can be found all over the world and is mined from large pits. It is used for creating red pigments. Polished hematite is sold by many retailers as a “healing stone”.

WARNING: “There is no scientific proof that this use of hematite has any positive effect beyond being a placebo. Using hematite as a "healing stone" or a "healing crystal" can actually be harmful because it diverts people from seeing a doctor who can provide proper care. Then when the person with the problem finally decides to see a doctor, their situation is more severe.”


Fun Fact: Hematite is commonly used for radiation shielding.


Sources:





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