The Stone of Samhain: Obsidian
by Christopher Penczak
Samhain is the time of transformation. The doors between the worlds
are open and magic is afoot. For many witches, Samhain is the New Year.
On this day we release the old, no longer serving, and bring in the
new. We project for what we want in the coming year as our spiritual
ancestors prepared for the winter months. As we do magic and make resolutions
to invite this change, we can call upon some helpers. Patron gods, goddesses and spirit guides are all aiding in our transformation. I find it helpful calling upon physical aids in my spells, particularly crystals and power stones. Obsidian is an excellent stone for Samhain.
Astrologically, the Sun enters the sign of Scorpio before this holiday. Scorpio is powerful energy. In its highest form, Scorpio eliminates the unwanted to bring about transformation through rebirth. The scorpion is transformed in the spiritual phoenix, the undying bird of fire. Obsidian is a stone of Scorpio.
As both Samhain and its sign are associated with death, change and the
color black, Obsidian is a black volcanic glass. It cooled so fast, the
minerals within it had no time to form any crystal structures. Depending on the minerals within, shades and reflections of Obsidian vary greatly. When the light reflects off the glass, it may have a black, gold, blue, green, red, purple, gray, brown or rainbow tint to it. Inclusions of the mineral Phenocryst create white patches, creating snowflake obsidian.
Magically, Obsidian is used for change. The various colors influence the work of the stone. Green tones are more helpful with love and healing. Purple brings peace and blue works with prosperity. Rainbow is my favorite because it is so versatile.
Wishes made when holding obsidian are extremely powerful. Be careful what you ask for when using this stone. The shiny black surface is great for scrying and crystal gazing, particularly when asking questions about your life and any changes. The answers and images tend to be strong and very blunt. Obsidian can show the darker shadows within you. On the gentler side, this is a very grounding stone, aligning you within the world tree, from the Sky Father down to the center of the Earth Mother. Obsidian is also for protection. It grounds and neutralizes harmful and unwanted energies. During healing sessions, it can draw out and neutralize the energies causing illness and imbalance, and help ground one in the physical to maintain the newfound health.
The Aztecs made magic mirrors from obsidian, along with sharp edged weapons. Tezcatlipoca, the smoking mirror, is their deity linked to obsidian. He is the dark god, representing the destructive principal. Sometimes he would take the form of a headless man, with chest like cabinet doors. They would open to reveal his heart and then slam shut, making a noise like an axe striking a tree. If you could reach in and
snatch his heart without getting caught, he would grant you a wish. Tezcatlipoca is the father of witches. Although not usually called upon by traditional witches in Samhain celebrations, I think Tezcatlipoca and his stone are excellent patrons for the festival of transformation. I suggest a ritual passing a piece of obsidian around the circle as
each member makes their New Year's wishes and resolutions on it. The stone
will only add to the power of the ritual. Good luck and blessed be!
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