What exactly is Onyx?
Onyx is a chalcedony gemstone. In its most common form, it is a parallel banded silicate mineral that is black with white banding. Onyx can also be green, pink, brown, red, and green, and even clear with white banding. It is primarily composed of calcite and has a waxy sheen. Onyx symbolizes protection and riches.
Onyx is a stone of decisiveness and strength, offering shades of protection against negative energy, sharpening the senses, and encouraging a resolute attitude to a life filled with joy and wealth. The therapeutic properties of this calm and confident stone can be explored in ways that can clear the way for the future and balance polarities.
A Brief History
Because of the shape and bright white of the bands that show within the gem, this healthy, lush-looking gem gets its name from the Greek word for claw or finger. Cupid, according to legend, used his renowned arrow to slash the fingernails of his mother, the goddess Venus. These eternal fingernails fell from Mount Olympus and into the Indus River, where they transformed into Onyx.
In fact, goddesses and queens adored this dark and dreamy stone, and Cleopatra was said to keep it close because of its powerful protective qualities. When it comes to Onyx, there is so much more to it than meets the eye. Yes, this stone is protective, but it also serves us in other ways. It, like other black and gorgeous stones, can absorb bad energy and assist us in following our own good counsel. Onyx was also seen to be a powerful guardian by the Chinese, making this banded gem a favorite in Feng Shui practice. In ancient Indian legends, it was also the stone that would protect from evil and disharmony, assisting in the maintenance of stability and balance, particularly within the boundaries of relationships.
Healing Properties
Black Onyx is a master of good fortune and is frequently used as an amulet against negative energy. When it comes to emotional healing, Black Onyx provides the same grounding strength and energy that it does for your physical body. Getting rooted is one of the most effective ways to boost your self-esteem and develop the art of self-control. Black Onyx is here to comfort those who are prone to outbursts of rage, who feel the rise and fall of fury viscerally, and who frequently find themselves a jangly anxious mess. This stone binds flitting souls who would profit much from keeping one foot on the ground. Onyx assists you in mastering your sense of self so that you can make good decisions and stand firm in your authenticity.
It can be especially beneficial for individuals going through grief processes since it can help you mourn, grieve, accept, and release without losing yourself in the process.
Root Chakra
Black Onyx is a root chakra stone because it delivers all that wonderful grounding energy to keep you grounded to the earth beneath your feet. The root chakra is one of the most essential chakras because it allows excess energy to leave the body. If the base chakra is not cleansed, the entire chakra system can get out of balance. Black Onyx can also assist you in remaining protected during head chakra opening and any psychic activity or previous life exploration that may leave you open and potentially vulnerable.
Hi Ava!
Onyx is actually my moms favorite crystal that she likes to carry around for good luck so I was really interested to learn more about it from your blog post. I had no idea that crystals could be connected as far back to greek legends, and I thought the story with Cupid and Venus, kind of makes me wonder what prompted him to do that. I think it’s also interesting that its influence was clearly so apparent that even Cleopatra carried it around with her. It seems like this crystal is really versatile for a lot of different things people may need assistance with. I think the way that different cultures interpret the stone is pretty cool as well! It seems for the Romans they believed it would give them courage on the battlefield, however for cultures like Indian and Persian cultures it was seen as something that would absorb all negativity and was used as a talisman. It makes sense that the stone would be connected to the root chakra, since it is so important in keeping us grounded. Im excited to learn more from your blog!
Hey Ava,
Recently, over Spring Break, I was able to go to the Museum of Natural History in New York City, New York. There was a massive exhibit on gems, minerals, and rocks that I spent most of my time in. There, I learned a lot about the composition and formation of gems, that of which includes Onyx. However, I did not know much about it cultural significance, especially of its mythological origin in Greek Mythology, nor its prevalence in Feng Shui. While I still am ignorant to healing properties, chakra, and the like, learning of the information is still interesting on its own, more so for its symbolic meaning that anything else. I feel that it would make for good information to keep in the back of my mind, and maybe a gift if necessary. As always, it was great reading your blog and keep up the good work.
Ethan