Obsidian: meaning, uses and care

How to read the labels Historical what the old sources say. Later tradition what later writers added. Modern modern practice and my own notes.

Obsidian is black glass made by a volcano. Lava that cools too fast to form crystals freezes into a smooth, glossy stone that breaks with curved, razor-sharp edges. In modern witchcraft it is a stone of protection, of looking honestly into the dark and of the black scrying mirror.

At a glance

How witches use obsidian today

Modern Obsidian is one of the best known “protection stones” in contemporary practice, and it is also the traditional material for the witch’s black mirror.

Scrying. A polished obsidian mirror or sphere is used for gazing: in a dim room, with a candle behind you, you let your eyes soften and notice the images and feelings that arise. Many witches keep a journal open beside it. See my guide to divination.

Protection. Obsidian by the front door, in the corners of a room or in a pocket is a common modern protection charm. Some describe it as a “mirror” that reflects ill will back.

Shadow work. Its darkness makes it a natural companion for honest journaling about the parts of yourself you avoid. Hold it, write, and then put it away and do something kind for yourself.

Grounding. After intense ritual, a heavy, cool obsidian palm stone helps you come back to your body.

Grief. Small, translucent Apache tears are a popular modern stone for mourning, carried in a pocket through a hard season.

Moon. Obsidian belongs to the dark moon and to Samhain, when many witches scry for the year ahead.

Tarot pairing. I pair obsidian with The Moon: images in the dark, and the patience to read them honestly.

Journal prompt. What do I see when I stop looking away?

Try this: ten minutes with a black mirror

1. Sit in a dim room with a candle behind you or to one side, so its flame does not reflect directly.
2. Hold or prop up a polished obsidian mirror or sphere.
3. Ask one simple question aloud.
4. Gaze softly for no more than ten minutes. Do not strain your eyes; blink normally.
5. Write down every image, word, memory or feeling, however small.
6. Close by touching the floor, blowing out the candle and switching on a bright light.

Folklore and history

Historical Pliny the Elder says obsidian was named after a man called Obsius, who found it in Ethiopia. In Mesoamerica, obsidian was made into blades and polished mirrors, and the Aztec god Tezcatlipoca’s name means “smoking mirror.” An Aztec obsidian mirror associated with the Elizabethan magus John Dee is now in the British Museum.

Modern Its role as a protection and shadow-work stone is modern. Scott Cunningham’s 1988 encyclopedia lists it as projective, ruled by Saturn and Fire, and used for scrying, grounding and peace.

Care and safety

Sharp edges. Raw obsidian can cut deeply. Do not keep rough pieces where children or pets can reach them, and never try to knap it without training and eye protection.

Scratches. At about 5.5 it is softer than quartz, so store it wrapped. Clean with a damp cloth and dry it.

Dust. Do not grind or sand it at home; stone dust harms lungs. Obsidian is a focus tool, not a medical device.

Ethics and buying

Black glass is sometimes sold as obsidian, and “rainbow” or “gold sheen” pieces can be oversold. Buy from sellers who name the source, and expect natural obsidian to show tiny flaws or banding.

What next

Obsidian pairs with black tourmaline for protection and jet for grief and ancestor work. Moldavite is another natural glass, formed by an impact rather than a volcano. For divination methods, see my guide to divination, and for safety, my beginner’s guide to crystals.