Onyx is a mesmerizing crystal steeped in history and adorned with breathtaking beauty. From its formation within the depths of the Earth to its revered status in ancient civilizations Onyx has fascinated humanity for millennia.  Black Onyx is widely known as a powerful protection stone. Its deep Black color is associated with the night, symbolizing strength, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges. It is believed to absorb negative energy while providing emotional and physical strength and support to its wearer. In ancient times, Black Onyx was often worn as a talisman to ward off evil spirits and protect the wearer against Black magic.

Onyx is mined in many different places, from India to Brazil and even Madagascar, along with the US and Russia. Onyx is primarily sourced from several countries around the world. Some notable locations for Onyx mining include Brazil, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Uruguay and the USA.

HEALING PROPERTIES

Onyx gives strength.  It promotes vigor, steadfastness and stamina.  Onyx is a transformative stone which can actively help transform your situation and your outlook on life. It encourages happiness and good fortune. Onyx helps with enhancing strength, courage, and willpower. It supports overcoming obstacles, boosting self-confidence, and encouraging a positive mindset. It offers powerful vibrations of focus. Black Onyx continuously pushes you forward in life. Onyx enhances self-control and stimulates the power of wise decision-making. It gives a jolt of energy that can be felt by simply looking at the stone because of its mystifyingly smooth surface and dark soulful depths.

Onyx is associated with grounding energy and fostering stability. It helps us stay grounded, centered and focused, particularly during the stressful moments in our lives. Being solidly Rooted is one of the best ways to raise your self-confidence and master your self-control. If you are quick to anger or feel your frustration rise often and feel you are a nervous mess often, then Black Onyx is here to soothe. It tethers flighty souls who would benefit from keeping one foot on the ground. Onyx imparts self-confidence, helping you to be at ease in your surroundings. Onyx helps you to master your sense of self so that you can make wise decisions, stand clear in your authenticity, and get that balance of being task orientated all while making plenty of space for creative thinking too.

Onyx can be particularly useful for those moving through the patterns of grief as it assists in helping you mourn, grieve, accept, and release without losing yourself in the process.  Onyx helps keep us steady during times of emotional turmoil. It absorbs and transforms negative emotions, promoting emotional balance and inner strength.

Onyx has long since been associated with the capture of demons and imps as it was believed that such spirits could be contained within the stone. Onyx is a protective stone that helps to shield the wearer from negative energies and influences. It creates a barrier of protection and promotes a sense of security. It is known to absorb negative energy and protect the wearer from illness, misfortune, and even evil. Onyx was regarded as a protection against incantations and sorcery, used to sharpen the wits, and help you overcome fear.

Black Onyx has profound spiritual properties which resonate with many individuals who are seeking spiritual growth and development. It can heighten your intuition, providing spiritual guidance and support during meditation practices. Black Onyx has a strong grounding energy that helps establish a deep connection with the Earth and your inner self. Wear Onyx jewelry as a personal amulet of protection to keep your senses keen during psychic endeavors. Onyx can stimulate psychic senses and engenders a protective shield during spiritual quests, tarot readings, channeling or mediumship or any endeavor that opens one to psychic influences.

HISTORY

Black Onyx, we’ve all seen it and heard tales of its strong protective energy. The mineral was first reported in 77 A.D. by Gaius Plinus Secundus (Pliny the Elder) and named after the Greek word “claw” or “fingernail” because of its similar resemblance.  It has been used for millennia by many ancient civilizations. The Ancient Egyptians used Onyx in 3,000 B.C. to make pottery items and other utensils. The Ancient Roman and Greek societies used Onyx for jewelry, amulets, and carving materials.

Onyx’s lore includes Greek myths of Aphrodite’s fingernails turning into the stone.  The legend said that Eros (Cupid) cut the fingernails of his mother, the goddess Aphrodite (Venus), using his famous arrow while she slept by a river. These immortal fingernails fell from the heavens of Mount Olympus and into the Indus River where they transformed into Onyx.

Onyx is beloved by goddesses and queens, and even Cleopatra was believed to keep the stone close as it was known for its potent protective powers. Queen Cleopatra reportedly used Black Onyx to distinguish between loyal and disloyal servants and to receive warnings of danger and negative energy.

The Chinese also believed that Onyx was a mega protector, making this banded gemstone is a favorite in Feng Shui practice. In ancient Indian tales, it was also the stone that would protect from evil and disharmony, helping to keep stability and balance, especially within the borders of relationships.

The Bghai tribes of Myanmar kept spirit statues made of Black Onyx in their homes and would feed them offerings of blood. They believed doing this ritual would keep the spirit sated keeping their families safe.

Black Onyx became quite fashionable during the Victorian era in England. This trend was due to Queen Victoria’s mourning period of 40 years, during which it was forbidden to wear colors so people started using Black Onyx in their jewelry to subscribe to this edict.

CHAKRAS

Black Onyx has a link to the Root Chakra, the energy center known for providing stability and grounding to keep you connected to the earth beneath your feet. The Root Chakras association with the Earth element plays a crucial role in your sense of security and existence at a psychological and emotional level. This connection to the earth aids in stabilizing your energy, reducing restlessness and fostering a feeling of security.

The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and controls the energy for kinesthetic feeling and movement. Your Root Chakra is one of the most important Chakras there is as it invites excess energy to be released from the body. Not cleansing your Root Chakra can throw your whole Chakra system out of balance. If your Root Chakra is blocked or out of balance, you may feel ungrounded and uncertain of your ability to co-exist in the world. This can create feelings of listlessness and aimlessness, without the grounded sense of knowing your place in life. Losing the certainty of your own existence can cause a systemic failure in your spirituality, which can be detrimental to your overall well-being. When the Root Chakra is in balance you feel grounded and Rooted in the earth.  Your physical body gains strength and stamina, and spiritual energy is rekindled in the form of security and sense of one’s own power.

Black Onyx stimulates your Root Chakra which promotes a sense of stability, security, and protection. Onyx offers a shield against negative energies and psychic attacks, creating a safe environment for spiritual exploration and self-discovery. The significance of Onyx lies in its ability to keep you grounded in the present moment strengthening your sense of stability and support. Onyx also possesses protective properties, as it absorbs and transmutes low vibrations, making the bearer strong and invincible.

CLEANSING AND CHARGING

Like all crystals, Black Onyx should be kept cleansed and charged on a regular basis. Black Onyx is a protective stone and is forever busy mopping up bad vibes and negative energies therefore it helps to keep it cleansed whenever you get the feeling it is “full”.  This will help to make sure your stone is always ready when you need it. Cleansing Onyx is a common practice to clear them of any energetic imbalances or negative influences they may have absorbed.

One of the simplest ways to quickly and safely cleanse Black Onyx is to smudge it with a sage stick. Pass your Onyx through the smoke of sacred herbs like sage, cedar, or palo santo. The smoke is believed to purify the energy of the stone. While smudging, set your intention to cleanse the Onyx and visualise any negative energy dissipating.

Another very easy way to cleanse your Onyx is through the use of Salt Water. Fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add a small amount of either sea or pink Himalayan salt. Place your Onyx in the bowl and let it soak for a few hours or overnight. The saltwater will draw out negative energy from the stone. Afterwards make sure to rinse your stone with clean water and gently pat it dry.

Holding your water under the faucet for several minutes in a stream and visualizing the negative energy being washed away will also cleanse your stone.  Gently pat your stone or jewellery dry afterwards.

Sound vibrations can also be used to cleanse gemstones. Place your Onyx near or on top of a singing bowl, bell, or instrument that produces clear, resonating tones. Gently strike the instrument and allow the sound waves to envelop the stone to cleanse its energy.

A good method to recharge your Onyx is to leave it in the light of the full moon overnight either somewhere safe outside or on a window ledge. Moonlight is believed to have a purifying and recharging effect on gemstones. Be sure to place the stone where it will be in direct moonlight. Likewise, sunlight will work.  Using early morning sun is best to avoid the possibility of fading your stone.