Volcanic stones cannot but attract human attention with their mystery, because they originated in the depths of the Earth and were thrown onto its surface by the fire and power of volcanoes. And people have long considered volcanoes as deities for their power, ruthlessness towards all living things and the ability to terrify people. It is not for nothing that in ancient Roman mythology Vulcan was the god of fire, the patron of blacksmiths, who demanded veneration and human sacrifice. What magical and healing properties might stones of this origin have?
Some scientific data
First, let’s find out what scientists say about volcanic rocks. Lava, which carries a lot of different substances and hardens in air, is formed when a volcano erupts magma outward. Magma interacts with atmospheric gases, gradually cools and solidifies. It erupts from a depth of about 700 kilometers from ground level, so all this material rises to the surface from the upper part of the planet's mantle.
Different volcanoes smoking in different parts of the planet have different lava, having different chemical composition, impurities and color.
Carbonate lava includes potassium and sodium carbonates. When hot, it has a black or brown appearance; when it cools, it turns brown, and after a few months it becomes completely white. Lava of this type is very soft and dissolves well in water.
Silicon lava is very viscous in a liquid state and quickly hardens in the crater of a volcano. When hot, it is black, brown or red-black in color. When solidified, it turns into black volcanic glass.
Basaltic lava consists of oxides of iron, magnesium, aluminum and other metals, and contains silicon dioxide. Its color when hot is yellow, orange or red.
Thus, carbonate lava is not a strong and more or less durable stone and has no use in technology or the jewelry industry. Basaltic lava gives us basalt, which has healing and magical properties, suitable for making jewelry and building materials.
Silicon lava forms several minerals, including obsidian, or volcanic glass. Essentially, it is rock melted in the flames of a volcano, cooled and frozen in air. Obsidian is also credited with magical and healing properties. We will talk about these two minerals further.
Interesting Facts
One night in 1977, Mount Nyiragongo erupted on South African territory. The explosion was so powerful that the walls of the crater split. The lava of this volcano was very liquid; this rapid flow rushed at a speed of 17 meters per second. Several nearby villages with sleeping inhabitants had no chance of escape that night.
In addition to the high temperature and high flow rate of the hot substance, during a volcanic eruption, clouds of ash, cameos and poisonous gases are thrown onto the surface. Such a volcanic mixture once wiped out the majestic cities of the Romans - Herculaneum and Pompeii - from the face of the earth.
In Iceland, there is a known case where lava flows under the frozen upper crust continued to move invisible, remaining hot for several centuries.
5/5 — (1 vote)
Obsidian
Obsidian is the most common volcanic stone. Depending on the composition, it can be black, gray, brown, green or bronze. Occasionally, minerals of blue, yellow, orange or red color are found, and there are also samples with a heterogeneous color - black-gray, or black-brown. Some stones have small inclusions in the form of mineral crystals, giving them a metallic or iridescent shine. Such specimens are called silver or golden obsidians, and are valued higher.
Although obsidian is called volcanic glass, it does not have great strength; it is a brittle mineral with low wear resistance, which must be taken into account when processing and using.
Externally, the mineral is similar to quartz; it also contains silicon dioxide, but is much inferior in strength.
Uses of obsidian
Obsidian attracts jewelers with its color and glassy luster; it is used to make jewelry for women and men. Thanks to the black color, jewelry is stylish and fashionable; it can be made in any style - vintage, gothic, Celtic, modern, avant-garde.
The mineral looks great in a silver frame; beads, necklaces, earrings, pendants, rings, rings, and cufflinks are made from it. It is also used as an ornamental stone for the production of souvenirs, talismans and amulets.
Obsidian is mined in a zone of volcanic activity; these are mainly relatively fresh, recently formed minerals. A stone cannot survive millions of years on the surface of the earth; such ancient specimens are very rare. At the same time, it must be borne in mind that the word “recently” in geology can mean half a million years, or several hundred thousand years ago.
Obsidian is found in Russia, Canada, the USA, Iceland, and other countries of the world, practically all over the world, but in different volumes.
Mining locations
The porous stone is volcanic lava that solidified millions of years ago. This creation of nature is called basalt. It took millennia for the formation of volcanite, because it is not just a substance that has turned from a liquid substance into a solid under the influence of water and air - the mineral matures and gradually changes its structure.
Metaphysics of obsidian
According to esotericists and magicians, obsidian has strong energy, inherited from all four elements - air, water, fire and earth. Amulets and talismans made of obsidian reliably protect against negative influences from the outside, and at the same time, despite their black color, they brighten the thoughts and feelings of the owner, relieve him of dark thoughts, and relieve nervous tension.
In addition, the stone carries the power of three powerful heavenly patrons at once - the Sun, Saturn and Uranus, so for people with negative energy in spirit, it can become destructive. But it helps kind and gentle people to become stronger, charges them with creative energy, accompanies them on the paths of life and suggests the right solution to complex problems.
Ambitious people will mistakenly begin to feel omnipotent and may take risky actions, with a sad ending that will be unexpected for them.
Obsidian is very popular among psychics and magicians; it enhances their abilities, helps them concentrate, and subjugate spirits invisible to ordinary people, subordinating them to their own will.
A talisman with a stone or made of stone gets rid of the annoying and not always friendly attention of others, helps to repay debts, and safely circumvent the machinations created by business competitors. In order to receive protection and help from a mineral, it is not necessary to wear it in jewelry; an obsidian pyramid will cope with these tasks just as well. You can put it on your desktop, or wherever you are most often.
Official science does not recognize the healing properties of the mineral, but lithotherapists and healers attribute to it the ability to cure inflammation and colds, and problems with the gastrointestinal tract.
Obsidian is able to normalize blood pressure, having equally beneficial effects on both hypertension and hypotension. It can be worn to strengthen the immune system, restore strength after difficult physical and moral trials, and simply to increase vitality. At the same time, the mineral can reduce kidney activity, so you should not carry it with you all the time.
Astrologers claim that obsidian has no special preferences among the zodiac signs, and helps everyone. But it will be most useful for Aries, Capricorns, Scorpios, Leo and Aquarius.
Astrological compatibility
(“+++” – the stone fits perfectly, “+” – can be worn, “-” – is strictly contraindicated):
| Zodiac sign | Compatibility |
| Aries | +++ |
| Taurus | + |
| Twins | +++ |
| Cancer | + |
| a lion | +++ |
| Virgo | + |
| Scales | +++ |
| Scorpion | +++ |
| Sagittarius | + |
| Capricorn | +++ |
| Aquarius | + |
| Fish | + |
Astrologers are unanimous in their opinion that the creation of a volcano suits all signs of the Zodiac, without exception. But like other minerals, lava stone has an attachment to certain constellations - these are Leo, Libra, Capricorn, Aries, Scorpio, and Gemini. People born under these signs will feel lucky in the implementation of plans, and will also be able to quickly assimilate the experience gained, thereby gaining life wisdom in the shortest possible time.
Is this stone right for you?
Basalt
Basalt, or lava stone, is a gray, dark gray, black or green mineral with a glassy, porphyritic or aphyric structure. Porphyry samples are marked with yellow-green inclusions, which can be quite large in size and make up a quarter of the stone's mass.
Some basalts consist of calcium feldspar, or contain olivine impurities. Therefore, mineralogists speak of two types of basalt - those containing and those not containing olivine. Olivine basalt is found on the islands of the Pacific volcanic belt; other basalts are found on continents.
In general, basalt is a fairly common rock on the globe; it is mined all over the world, especially in the USA, Italy, Scotland, Iceland, Ukraine, and in Russia - the Kuril Islands and Kamchatka.
Basically, basalt is used in construction, crushed stone, thermal insulation materials, and facing tiles are produced from it. In ancient times, amulets and talismans, figurines of gods, and household items were made from it. Modern craftsmen have even learned to make jewelry from basalt, although they are not particularly durable and are more suitable as souvenirs. Basalt looks good in combination with other stones of the red, black and white range - agates, jasper, obsidian.
Areas of application
Lava turned out to be a multifunctional material for humans. Our ancestors identified lava as special stones. During excavations of ancient settlements, archaeologists found not only jewelry, but also tools, masks, and ritual attributes.
The areas of use of the nugget are varied:
- Lithotherapy. Massage balls are made from stone.
- Decor. Aquariums are decorated with lava stone. The mineral not only serves as a beautiful addition - thanks to the presence of lava, the water circulates better, while being filled with all the useful chemical components.
- Grill. Expensive grills use lava rather than charcoal. This stone maintains heat and warmth better.
Also read: Andesite - a durable natural stone
Rock experts have classified basalt as a mixture of basaltic lava and ash that hardens instantly after an eruption. Such basalt has found application in construction, as it has valuable characteristics - strength, noise insulation, thermal conductivity, fire resistance, and durability. Slabs and basalt wool are made from it, the remains are crushed and added to asphalt and concrete.
Volcanic stone is used to lay floors, fireplaces, building facades and tombstones. The only disadvantage of a basalt floor is that over time the stone is polished until it slips icy. In addition, sculptors, furniture makers, and clothing designers use basalt. Jewelers create beautiful silver jewelry with black stones. And although lava products are not so popular today, craftsmen still make beautiful jewelry.
Healing properties
The healing properties of basalt are used by specialists in stone therapy, or lithotherapy. It is believed that basalts with dark gray or black olivine have more healing properties.
The stone really has the ability to retain heat for a long time, so it can be used to treat various inflammations and for warming up. Basalt massage balls help heal varicose veins, arthritis, radiculitis, rheumatism, soften and warm the skin well, and are therefore effective in the fight against cellulite. Basalt powder can be used to treat and treat wounds and ulcers.
Communication with basalt strengthens the immune system, relieves stress, relaxes muscles, reduces spasms, cramps and pain, and has a beneficial effect on the circulatory and lymphatic systems.
Caring for products with volcanic stone
Proper care is of great importance in preserving the color, shape and energetic properties of the stone. It should be dry cleaned with a soft brush, without using abrasives. However, there is no need to protect a lava bracelet or pendant from water - the stone is not afraid of it, but on the contrary, it is cleansed of negative energy.
Jewelry should be stored in a dark box or casket, protected from sunlight. It is advisable to place products next to rock crystal. It must be remembered that lava has the effect of accumulating positive energy, so it is better to wear jewelry made from it without removing it. Once a month, it is recommended to “discharge” the stone on large salt crystals, and then “charge” it in the sun.
The magic of basalt
In ancient times, basalt and other stones of volcanic origin were considered a gift from the gods and the Earth, which warmed it with its heat. Astrologers and stargazers said that basalt was produced by all four elements - earth, fire, water and air. Lava is formed from the earth by fire, then flows like water and cools when exposed to air. These four elements gave the mineral its energy, and people have the right to use it for good purposes.
Basalt talismans are necessary for those who intend to change their lives, change their inner world and character. Unfrozen lava has fluidity and flexibility, the ability to easily take any shape - the owner of talismans and amulets receives these same properties.
The mineral harmonizes the flow of energy around a person, repels negative energy, and attracts positivity; with such a protector no changes are scary.
The mineral gives peace and tranquility to tired travelers, relieves nervous and muscle tension, puts natural biorhythms in order, and fills them with light and bright energy.
Volcanic lava helps in understanding the world, reveals its secrets, gives secret knowledge, develops beyond abilities. It has the same positive effect on people born under different zodiac signs.
How is it used?
The stone is a strong amulet and red thread is used to enhance its properties.
Lava stone is used to make jewelry and adornments and combines well with precious metals and other minerals. It is suitable for interior decoration, as well as for the manufacture of dishes, furniture figurines and various products. Basalt is a powerful talisman that protects its owner. At the same time, it is important to ensure contact of the mineral with the skin, and it is better to string the beads on a red woolen thread.
The lava mineral is able to open and activate the Root chakra, which in women is responsible for reproductive function and the ability to conceive and safely give birth to a child. Lava transforms cosmic energy into physical energy, adjusting it to human biorhythms.
