Black Crystal Meaning
Black crystals are intriguing, mysterious and have a powerful presence that has been appreciated throughout history. Below is a table of black crystals and their meanings, healing uses for black crystals and a detailed description of the symbolism and properties of the color Black.
Black Color Meanings, Associations & Crystal Properties
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Symbolism |
Metaphysical Properties |
Black Crystal Types and Their Meanings
Shungite
Shungite is a high vibration crystal with ancient origins and a fascinating story. In the Metaphysical world, Shungite is considered one of the best crystals for healing and an essential for energy cleansing. Has the ability to purify water.
Black Tourmaline
Black Tourmaline is a wonderful crystal for protection and has been used throughout history for protection: Ancient peoples saw Black Tourmaline as a shield against negative spirits and destructive forces. Today, Black Tourmaline reminds us to let go of our own negative thoughts and work to correct self-destructive patterns of behavior. A stone for turning around one's attitude and attracting positive energy into our lives. Black Tourmaline is a crystal that is used in Chakra healing and is particularly good for the Base Chakra.
Ilvaite
A stone for truth, independence, and stabilization. Ilvaite has also been considered a stone for protection, grounding, and wisdom.
A centering and grounding mineral, Ilvaite is considered to be a strong base. It supports the Root Chakra, offering protection and stability. It can be used to achieve a state of deep confidence. Like an anchor, it can be a good stone for those thoughts that tend to drift naturally into worries or anxieties.
Black Obsidian
Black Obsidian is compared to the Great Void or the Great Mystery from which all things are created. It is a stone for spiritual dreaming. Black Obsidian is a teacher stone and a “Warrior of Truth” Obsidian draws one inward to the center of the Self, to the place of truth. Obsidian is a powerful cleanser of a muddy aura and is a strong psychic protection stone, shielding you against negativity. It is thought the energy of these stones may stimulate the gift of prophecy.
Black Onyx
Black Onyx is a highly grounding and protective stone. Thought to ease anxiety and stabilize emotions. It is thought to heal old wounds and stop painful memories from becoming overwhelming.
Indigo Gabbro
Nicknamed the “Wise Soul” & Merlinite - Formed from molten magma trapped under the Earth’s crust, this is a powerful grounding stone that reveals the depth of one’s soul, and assists with connecting to the higher self. It enhances natural intuition and guidance in the healing practice.
Black Kyanite
Kyanite is one of the few crystals that never needs cleansing and can be used to clear other crystals. Highly sought for metaphysical purposes, Kyanite’s uses are unlimited. It is considered a universal bridge, as its high vibration opens pathways in the mind and allows for the transfer of energy. Kyanite is thought to enhance psychic abilities, expand consciousness and transition one into deep meditative states.
Hypersthene
Hypersthene is an enchanting black crystal with a reputation as a stone of magic. Hypersthene has been associated with aiding clairvoyance and developing psychic abilities.
Arfvedsonite
Arfvedsonite is considered an essential and powerful crystal for psychics, healers and those wishing to enhance their connection to the spirit world. It is thought that Arfvedsonite aids with developing psychic abilities and seeing into the future. But you do not have to be a psychic to appreciate the benefits of Arfvedsonite; this crystal reminds us to look to the future with hope and excitement rather than fear of the unknown.
Nuumite
Nuummite is a stone of magic and ancient power; Nuummite is one of the oldest known minerals of Earth, formed three billion years ago from the primordial fires of the Earth. Nuummite embodies the vast darkness of the void and powerful forces of our Universe.
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BLACK COLOR SYMBOLISM
Black is possibly one of the most symbolic colors in human history. Often, it was associated with evil, the supernatural, and death. This is most likely because humans are inclined to fear the dark. Our ancient ancestors, without fire would have likely spent many frightful nights looking into the darkness. We fear the unknown, but understand that it may hold knowledge and we strive to overcome our primitive fears, moving forward to uncover what lies beyond.
THE VOID AND THE UNKNOWN - LIFE AND DEATH
Black is possibly one of the most symbolic colors in human history. Often, it was associated with evil, the supernatural, and death. This is most likely because humans are inclined to fear the dark. Our ancient ancestors, without fire would have likely spent many frightful nights looking into the darkness. We fear the unknown, but understand that it may hold knowledge and we strive to overcome our primitive fears, moving forward to uncover what lies beyond.
The goddess Kali, found in Hinduism, Buddhism and Shaktism, is the goddess of time and change and a bringer of both life and death. Kali is portrayed with black or dark blue skin. Her name can mean "The black one". Her blackness represents that she is “nirguna” or attribute-less, meaning she is beyond all qualities of nature. She transcends all known things and evades any possible description or understanding. Kali is brahman in its supreme, unmanifested state having no permanent qualities and outside of time. For Kali, the concepts of color, light, good, bad do not apply to her, as she will continue to exist even after time and the universe has ended. Using the color Black to depict nirguna reveals our association between Black and the infinite. There is no end to the blackness of the Universe or to the depths of the unconscious. We just carry our candle through this space, illuminating small pieces of time in which we exist.
In this context, Black can be intimidating, frightening even. But to embrace the void is to remove fear from our heart and avoid diluting our world experience with petty concerns. Kali was a goddess of the battlefield, but also the destroyer of anger and passion. Those wishing to worship her, would abstain from meat or any form of intoxication. Black stones for some, can be both an anchor and the open sea. Sharpening and steadying the mind and while we explore the vast and limitless possibilities of our world without fear.
FERTILITY
To the ancient Egyptians, black was the color of the rich soil flooded by the Nile River. And so, the color black was associated with fertility and the potential for new life. And as Black is commonly linked with death, so is new life. The decay of living matter is what makes for the darkest, most nutrient filled soil. This exchange of energy and transformation of matter allows the wheel of life to turn. The human experience of pregnancy and childbirth too can be sacrificial in a sense. The mother’s body contributing to the growth of another being, and then the sacrifices made by parents to ensure the success and safety of their child. Black stones can be beneficial to those trying to conceive and new parents who can appreciate their stability. It can be a symbol of patience, dedication, self-denial and a greater purpose.
KNOWLEDGE
To see Black as Evil, and White as good, would be too simplistic an understanding. It would be more accurate to see white as innocence, being without influence - a starting point. Black is the unknown, and embodies all that there is to be known. Dark matter, Dark Energy, the Dark Ages - all these ‘dark’ areas are what intrigue us the most, because there is something that exists there, waiting to be known. For any chance of discovery and enlightenment, we must look into the darkness. And so the color Black does not represent death, it is the color of life and death. Black is the color of the past and future, of good and evil and everything in-between. It does not represent one thing, it is all things and infinite possibilities. This can be frightening or it can be empowering.
Black ink was used in the Middle Ages for writing as it was the easiest to see and read against white parchment. Black ink became essential in the 15th center with the invention of printing. Still today, books and even e-books are represented with black words against a white screen.
Black is also the color taken on by those who have the experience to guide others. It is the color worn by those who have achieved the highest level of knowledge, like a Judge’s robes. In the marital arts Black is the color of most experience; a black belt symbolizes the highest level of knowledge and mastery.
Black Stones are often used for grounding oneself during meditation, but also to open the mind to higher knowledge and remove the fear of the unknown. Certain black stones like Hypersthene and Arfvedsonite display golden, white or blue flashes - small illuminations of the darkness. These stones are also thought to expand consciousness and reveal knowledge to the beholder.
PROTECTION
CONCEALING, CAMOUFLAGE AND SHADOWS
Black often represents the unknown, shadowy corners where danger may lurk. But in reality, Black can be a companion to those who need protection. Nature is an excellent example of how Black can help us to become one with the shadows, protecting and concealing us with darkness. The black and white coloring of a Zebra helps it to hide in tall grass. Most black patterns on herbivores serve the purpose of survival and help them to blend with the shadows of their environment.
We may think that the best way to stay safe in the dark is to illuminate it, but nature knows better. Sometimes we need to embrace darkness to remain safe, as it cannot be avoided and it will always be impossible to light every corner of our lives. Black stones have been credited with helping us face what we may fear and protect us while we pass through dark times in our lives.
DEFLECTING HARM
When we see the color Black, it is because the object has absorbed all visible colors of light. This is just a simplified scientific explanation of what the color Black is actually representing. This act of absorption makes the color black is incredibly important and useful.
Baseball players smudge black under their eyes to absorb the incoming sunlight to protect their eyes. Black can also keep us warm; because it absorbs light, this means it also can collect and store energy as heat.
DETOXIFICATION
We have long known that Charcoal can absorb toxins environmentally, and in the human body. It is a remarkable substance that does little harm to our bodies, while providing an incredible and sometimes life-saving service. During accidental poisonings, Charcoal is an effect way to absorb whatever toxin has been consumed. We also use charcoal to purify water, absorb chemical contaminants and we now see charcoal as an ingredient in toothpaste and cosmetics.
Throughout the natural world, this black substance plays a protective role. In Africa, Red Columbus Monkeys have been observed eating charcoal.
"The discovery by red colobus monkeys that eating charcoal absorbs the cyanide and relieves indigestion was revolutionary. The practice is transmitted from mother to infant by imitation. Knowledge is passed from generation to generation, just as the most tested and true remedies have been passed down by earlier generations of humans. With the toxins being absorbed, the red colobus monkeys are free to eat a wider array of plants that have a high nutritional value and are easily digested. The birth rates in red colobus monkeys that eat charcoal have exploded, proving an evolutionary advantage to self-medicating" - 1
In the metaphysical world, Black stones too are absorbers of negative energies and can protect the aura or psyche of the beholder. Stones such as Shungite and Black Tourmaline are used to protect against Electromagnetic Radiation from cellphones or other electronic devices.
During deep meditation or astral travel, Black crystals are thought to protect the mind as we explore other levels of reality.
CLEANSING
Just as black minerals can physically detoxify, Black crystals have an emotionally cleansing effect. Black Obsidian is one of the best known for its ability to help us purge negative emotions. Black is the color of mourning and also of acceptance.
PURITY OF SPIRIT
Black crystals can symbolize a dedication to one's spiritual practice and a denial of the falseness of the material world. Black is a color of sobriety, piety, self-sacrifice and higher purpose. It is the color worn today by some religion’s priests and pastors. In the 12th & 13th centuries, Benedictine monks wore black robes to show humility. In this time period, red was the color of the upper classes, symbolizing wealth and affluence. And so, to wear black was to shun the material world and recognize how material concerns could corrupt the spirit. Black is the lack of color, a way to separate oneself from being a part of the world that judges and apart from judging ourselves. Black cannot be tainted by any color, as it absorbs all color. We can think of Black as a symbol of resistance to influence and the denial of impulse and instant gratification.
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Black Color Energy
Black is the color of the vast Universe, the night sky and the unknown. Black is a color that we are both drawn to and are wary of. We can feel safe, protected by darkness, or hesitant because of what may be concealed here. And so Black is the color of mystery and discovery. It inspires confidence and fearless exploration of life’s questions.
Primarily, Black energy is thought to help us accept our Earthly existence as temporal and to feel safe and grounded.
Healing With Black Crystals
Black crystals are used during meditation to keep one grounded and feel protected. Exploring the unconscious can be like entering a dark room, Black crystals can help ease us into deep states of meditation and introspection.
Black crystals are also thought to have a purifying effect as they are the most 'absorbent'. The Carbon in their composition also contributes to this association. Some, like Shungite, are used to block electromagnetic radiation. More commonly, they are used during energy healing or Reiki to remove negative energy.
Because Black Crystals are associated with the element of Water, there is an additional cleansing benefit. Water energy allows emotions to flow, and Black crystals can help remove any emotional barriers we have constructed around painful memories, fears and phobias. They also can open the heart, and remove walls we have built between ourselves and others.
Black Crystals for Chakra Healing
Black crystals tend to be associated with the base or root chakra. The root chakra is our place of safety, security and basic need for shelter and social interaction. They are seen as support to the root chakra because they can create a sense of comfort in our current situation.
Some black crystals are also associated with the third eye, as they are used to open the mind and allow us to peer into the shadows without fear.
Black Crystals in Feng Shui
Black crystals are associated with Water energy and should be placed on the North side of the home.