As obsidian is a black stone, it is great a drawing out negative energies. The downside of this is, is that overtime the stone becomes a storage box for low vibrations. In order to remove those, we need to cleanse our stone regularly! One way to cleanse stones is by using salt.
Obsidian can go in salt, including salt water. However, prolonged exposure can cause the stone to turn brittle and break. Other ways to cleanse a stone are by using sound, smoke cleansing, or burying it.
Continue reading if you want to know more about why this method works & how to use it. I will also tell you about other (safe) methods to cleanse and charge your obsidian. At the bottom of this page, you’ll find a quick overview of obsidian’s properties.
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Also Read: What Chakra Is Obsidian?
Can Obsidian Go In Salt? (Explained)
Obsidian will have no problem being placed on dry salt. In fact, it will love the cleanse!
The reason for this is that salt is a 2.5 on the Mohs scale of hardness, which means it has about the same hardness a fingernail. Obsidian however, is a 5.5.
On this scale, stones with lower numbers can be scratched by stones with higher numbers.
For example: quartz is a 7, whereas copper is 3. As a result, if you rub both stones against each other, copper will be the one left with the marks.
With a 5,5, obsidian has a very average hardness – it’s not super brittle, but you do need to be a bit careful with it. Luckily, it is hard enough to not be scratched by salt.
If your obsidian does end up with some signs of use, don’t worry. Scratches or even breakage does not affect the stone’s vibrations. It will continue to work for you just the same as it did when it was new!
If you want to know more about how to ensure your stone is safe when cleansing it with salt, and learn more about the other ways to cleanse obsidian, make sure to continue reading.
- Also Read: The Complete Guide To Wearing Obsidian
Can Obsidian Go In Himalayan Salt?
Obsidian can go in Himalayan salt.
As mentioned in “Can obsidian go in salt?”, it is hard enough to prevent damage.
Can Obsidian Go In Saltwater?
As a general rule, stones with a score lower than 5 on the Mohs scale of hardness (or that end in -ite) should avoid water. As obsidian has a hardness of 5,5, it should be fine for a little bit. However, I still chose to avoid this method. Reason for this, is that obsidian can still dissolve if you leave it for too long. Besides, salt isn’t a gentle cleanser and, combined with water, can settle in the tiny cracks in your stone and cause damage from the inside out.
Additionally, any crystal that is left to soak in water for extended periods of time will lose its shine. This won’t affect it’s vibrations, so you can just use it the same. It just won’t be as pretty.
Besides, if you have a raw obsidian, these should never be cleansed in salt water. Raw crystals have more miniscule cracks that the salt can get into, leaving it more vulnerable.
- Also Read: Can Obsidian Go In Water?
How To Cleanse Obsidian Using Salt
To cleanse your obsidian there are a few steps, as well as precautions, you need to keep in mind. The best way to cleanse your obsidian with salt is by using dry salt, as this is the gentlest.
Fill a bowl (not metal!) with a 0.5-2 inches of salt. Place your obsidian (or any other crystals that are safe in salt) on the salt. I recommend not burying, as the more of your crystal is exposed to the salt, to more damage it can do.
Leave the stone on the salt for a few hours. I like to keep it overnight, but never for more than 8. How long you keep it on, really depends on how energetically heavy it feels. If you cleanse your obsidian regularly, 2 hours might be enough. Just pick it up and check in with the energy.
When you feel it is ready to be removed from the salt, quickly rinse the stone under running water to remove the leftover salt. Afterwards, use a soft cloth to dry your obsidian.
Make sure you always throw away the salt. It has absorbed all the negative energy from your obsidian, and you really don’t want to put that in your body.
When it’s all cleansed, charge your obsidian. It is now free of negative energy and has plenty of space to be filled with positive ones! If you want to know how, I recommend reading this article that I wrote: “Can Obsidian Go In Sun?”.
I highly recommend cleansing more than one crystal in the same bowl – save yourself some time. If you do, ensure every stone has it’s own place in the salt and they are not piled on top of each other. Every stone requires full contact with the salt.
When you’re cleansing a piece of jewelry with obsidian in it, ensure the clasp is closed an preferably wrapped in a soft cloth. You really don’t want salt getting into the clasp and causing damage there.
How To Cleanse And Charge Obsidian Without Salt
There are many safe ways to cleanse your obsidian, or other stones for that matter, without salt. Examples are smoke cleansing, sound, brown rice, and burying it.
Smoke Cleansing
To do this, light your herbs of choice, and blow out the flame. Set an intention for your stone and waft the smoke over it. Make sure the stone does not touch the herbs or else it will leave a black mark.
NOTE: Beware that using the term ‘smudging’ and the practice of burning white sage/palo santo is commonly used in the spiritual community. This is a specific type of smoke cleansing used by Native Americans, and which was illegal up until about 40 years ago. We recommend using a form of smoke cleansing that is appropriate for you and your culture.
Sound
You could also use sound to cleanse your stones, by using singing bowls, tuning forks or a simple YouTube video. I like this method, as it not only cleanse your stones, but also recharges them!
To use this method, set an intention for your stones and make sure your energy is light. When you feel ready, play the sound and repeat the intention, either out loud or in your head. The stones are cleansed and recharged when you feel like it is. Check in with the energy!
Lastly, you can cleanse your stones by burying it in earth or in a bowl of brown rice. Both are great at drawing out negative energies and leaving your stone ready to be charged.
Again, leave your obsidian buried for however long you feel like it needs. This can be a few hours, days or even weeks.
If you cleanse your stones weekly, overnight should be plenty. If you have a stone that was previously owned by someone else, or just feels like it’s holding on to a lot of low vibrations, leave it for a few days or weeks.
To charge your obsidian, you can also use sound, or leave them in moonlight.
If you want to know exactly how to charge using these methods, I recommend reading another article that I wrote: “Can Obsidian Be In The Sun?” If you scroll down to the bottom of that page, you’ll find all the information there.
Obsidian Overview
Chakra: Root | Heart
Element: Fire | Earth | Water
Zodiac: Scorpio | Sagittarius
Benefits: Grounding | Reflection | Decision making | Protection
The black color, as well as its association with the root chakra, makes this stone a perfect one for reflection. If you find yourself in a difficult situation and you’re not quite sure what to do, this stone can help guide you. It is also good if you find you keep repeating the same mistakes and want to release yourself from this. Lastly, obsidian is a great stone to protect you from negative energies. Carry it with you if you find you always absorb other people’s energies.
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