Obsidian: "The Stone of Justice"

Obsidian is a dark, glassy, non-crystalline rock of volcanic origin and is formed when lava cools particularly quickly. It is usually black but it may be red, brown or grey or a combination of these colours. Sometimes it has lacy white flecks and is then called snowflake obsidian. It was discovered in Ethiopia, although almost all of the stone used in Ancient Rome and Greece came from the island of Melos. Obsidian is found in places of volcanic activity, such as Hawaii, Japan and Iceland. Aztecs used Andean obsidian to make magic mirrors for divination, masks and personal adornment. Other native americans made arrowheads and knives from flakes. Today it is sculpted, or used in jewellery in the form of a cabochon. It is mined in Mexico, Guatemala, Ecuador and the USA, where it can be found in solid, glassy blocks known as 'Apache Tears'.
Ties & Associations:
Root Chakra:
The root chakra is also known as the base, because of it's location at the bottom of the spinal column.It is associated with the element of earth, and physically it corresponds to our most basic instincts and the id or the subconscious. In the body, it controls the adrenal and reproductive glands and the intestines. Obsidian's blackness exerts a beneficial influence over this chakra, bringing our deepest desires and inclinations into the light.
Tarot: The Hermit
The ninth tarot trump, the hermit, represents deep concentration and isolation. It is linked with obsidian because it sheds light on hidden conflicts. It favours clarification of the ability to asses the positive and negative aspects of a situation and helps co-ordinate the strengths that will remedy that which does not work.
Astrological Relations:
Earthy obsidian is connected to the cardinal earth sign, Capricorn. Those born with the sun in Capricorn tend to be too fixated on the material and concrete aspects of life and to devoting themselves to the pursuit of things. This gem lends them the ability to meditate before they act and helps them understand that spiritual goods can be just as valuable as material ones. Some Capricorns are also prone to excessive pride or egocentricity - obsidian can also help here, guiding them towards an attitude of greater humility and generosity. Saturn, the rigid ruler of the sign, finds help in obsidian in reducing aggression or coldness. increasing the Capricornian's sometimes underdeveloped sense of compassion and justice. As a planet with a slow rhythm, it benefits from the flexibility conferred by the vibrations of this gem.
Obsidian:
Confers humility.
Clarifies bewilderment.
Favours equanimity.
Stabilizes the emotions.
Encourages just behaviour.
Protects from danger.