The History and Folklore of Obsidian

Over the course of thousands of years, people have been making use of obsidian, which is a naturally occurring volcanic glass that is generated from lava that is rapidly cooling. 

At the same time as its deep black colour and glossy appearance contributed to its mystical and spiritual significance across a variety of cultures, its smooth texture and sharp edges made it a great material for the fabrication of tools and weapons in early civilisations.

During the Stone Age, obsidian was utilised for a variety of purposes, including the production of arrowheads, knives, and scrapers. This was due to the material's tendency to break apart into sharp pieces. Obsidian was a material that was particularly capable of being shaped into swords and ritual artefacts by the Aztecs and Maya people who lived in Mesoamerica. 

The Aztecs believed that it was a potent stone that was connected to their god Tezcatlipoca, whose name translated to "Smoking Mirror," which is a reference to the reflected quality of obsidian. For the purpose of divination and other spiritual rites, they utilised it to fashion mirrors, and they believed that this gave them the ability to see into other realms and predict the future.

Sharp tools and ornamental goods like amulets and beads were fashioned from obsidian in ancient Egypt. Egyptian craftsmen placed a high importance on its brilliance and dark black colour, which they recognised as a symbol of protection and the ability to fend off destructive spirits. Several pieces of evidence point to the fact that the obsidian that the Egyptians utilised was brought in from locations as far away as Anatolia, which is now known as Turkey.

In mediaeval Europe, obsidian was sometimes referred to as "volcanic glass" or "dragon's glass," and it was mentioned in a number of legends and myths. People believed that it had the ability to absorb bad energy, deflect harmful spirits, and defend against psychic attacks. They also believed that it prevented psychic attacks. Occasionally, it was incorporated into things that were used in rituals, and it was also worn as a talisman to safeguard travellers.

When it comes to historical folklore, the production of black mirrors for the purpose of scrying is perhaps one of the most well-known use of obsidian. It is well known that John Dee, an English magician who lived in the 16th century and served as an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, utilised an obsidian mirror in order to speak with angels and spirits. This polished piece of obsidian, which is frequently referred to as Dee's "spirit mirror," is still on display at the British Museum today. In many different cultures, black mirrors are considered to be instruments that can be used for introspection and making contact with the spiritual world. Because of its highly reflecting surface, obsidian is an excellent material for this purpose.

The use of obsidian is common among crystal healing practitioners who use it to protect themselves from negative energy, help with emotional healing, and to ground themselves.