As this stone is created by volcanic lava that cooled down very quickly, it is often called volcanic glass. Whatever you call it though, obsidian has some amazing qualities and can help you with grounding and reflection, as long as you care for it well. Today we will answer the questions whether it is safe for to leave your obsidian in the sun, as well as other (safe) methods of charging your crystal.
All obsidian can go in the sun, due to its glass composition. This is a great way to charge your stone, but don’t leave it for than 4 hours in direct sun. This can cause obsidian to fade. You can also charge it via moonlight, burying it, sound, brown rice or by using selenite.
Continue reading if you want to know more about why obsidian is fine to be left in the sun, whereas other stones are not, as well as the alternative methods of cleansing and recharging. At the bottom of this page you’ll find a quick overview of obsidian, such as the element, chakra and zodiac it is associated with as well as some of the benefits.
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Also Read: Can Obsidian Go In Water?
Can Obsidian Be In The Sun? (Explained)
The short answer – yes, absolutely! In fact, obsidian is often found out in the open, where it is exposed to direct sunlight all the time.
As a result, obsidian generally isn’t bothered by the rays of the sun and will actually love being charged with some of the sun’s uplifting energies. Besides, the general rule is that the darker the stone, the less prone it is to fading.
I would personally still be careful though. It is never a guarantee that your stone will not fade and the best way to avoid it, is to simply not leave it for too long. Up to four hours in morning sun is plenty to leave your stone happy & charged, whilst avoiding damage.
Additionally, I recommend keeping an eye on it and checking occasionally. Not every obsidian stone is the same and there are many factors that can make your crystal fade quicker or slower.
If you are really worried about fading, you can charge the stone behind a window. Glass filters out most of the heat and UV light, which decreases the chances of the stone changing color. Rest assured though, if your stone ends up fading this will not change the vibrations and energies. You can use your obsidian the same way you used it before, and it will help you just the same.
When wearing the stone, obsidian is perfectly fine to wear during sunny days. Personally, I would take it off during sunbathing though, just to be on the safe side. Besides, the stone can get hot and we don’t want it burning your skin. It also prevents you from getting strange tan lines, which is a nice bonus. 🙂
If it’s cloudy, or you live in an area where there aren’t many sunny days, there are other ways to charge your obsidian. No need to wait for the sun to come out again!
- Also Read: What Chakra Is Obsidian?
How Long Should I Leave My Obsidian In The Sun?
There isn’t a set maximum. Some stones are okay being left in the midday sun for hours on end, whilst others will fade a lot quicker.
I never leave my stones out for more than 4 hours, and I regularly check on them. So far, I have not had any problems with fading or discoloration and my stones are always perfectly charged.
- Also Read: Can Obsidian Go In Salt?
Other Ways To Charge Obsidian
Just like any other crystal, obsidian needs to be charged. If the sun isn’t an option for you, whether you’re afraid of discoloration or are simply lacking sunny days, there are other options! I will quickly outline the following methods:
- Moonlight
- Brown rice
- Sound
- Selenite
- Burying it
Make sure to always cleanse your stone before charging it. If you don’t cleanse it negative energies will take up all the space, and there will be no room for the positive energies. You’ll find some suggestions on how to cleanse your stone at the bottom of this page.
- Also Read: The Complete Guide To Wearing Obsidian
Moonlight
As I mentioned previously, this is the way I always choose to charge my stones. I find the moonlight to be super gentle on my stones, and I never have to worry about damaging them.
If you also want to charge your obsidian using moonlight, I recommend taking the following steps.
Firstly, charge your stones in the day before, during or after the full moon. You could technically charge your stone on any given night, but the moon’s energies are the strongest on these days. No need to leave them outside on all 3 though, one night for about 7 hours is plenty.
Secondly, leave your obsidian directly on the ground. The stone is associated with the root chakra after all, which means it loves to be grounded. Any other natural surface, like wood, will work just fine too.
If you are unable to leave the stone outside, you could also leave it in a windowsill. Just make sure there’s enough moonlight there to charge the stone.
Additionally, there’s no need to worry about rain for this stone. Obsidian can handle water just fine!
Brown Rice
Another super safe method is by using brown rice. The soft grains will not damage your stone and are great at absorbing negative energies.
Simply place your obsidian in a bowl of brown rice and make sure it is fully covered. As brown rice cannot harm you stone, it is safe to leave it for as long as you would like. A few hours always does the trick for me, but it is best to check in with your stone and see how it feels. If it’s energies still feel heavy, just put it back for a little while.
Make sure to throw the rice out afterwards as it is now filled with the negative energies that were previously in your stone. We don’t want to absorb all of that by eating it.
Sound
Us humans are super susceptible to the healing sounds of singing bowls and tuning forks, so why wouldn’t our stones be? Sound can cleanse and charge your stone at the same time. The vibrations drain your stone from negative energies, whilst filling it with positive ones at the same time.
Besides, because you don’t have to touch your stones and there is no UV light involved this is a super safe way to charge your stones.
If I haven’t cleansed my crystal before charging it with sound, I like setting two different intentions and using two different sounds & intentions. However, always do what works for you – you might find one sound and intention works just fine!
Tibetan singing bowls can get quite expensive, so you might just want to buy a tuning fork if you’re just trying this out. The cheapest option is to just use YouTube videos meant to cleanse and charge crystals. I’ll link my favorite down below!
Just let the sound fill the room and make sure your energy light. When you’re in a comfortable position you can set your intention for the crystal by saying it out loud. Meditate with the stone until you feel it is ready. If you want to go a step further, light some candles and incense.
Bury it
If you have an obsidian stone that feels especially heavy, or that you just want to charge without having to think about it – bury it.
The stone will love being surrounded by soil and will be filled with positive vibrations. I always recommend setting an intention for your crystals when charging them, and this is he same with obsidian. When you dug the hole and the are covering it with soil, think about what you would like to get out of it.
Just like with the brown rice, you can leave it for as long as you would like – hours, days, months. Simply check on it and feel when it is ready. If it’s just a normal, regular charge, 24 hours should be plenty.
Afterwards, wash the soil away with some water and pat it dry.
Quick reminder that this may not be a suitable solution for all crystals – the ground may get wet in the time that it is buried which can cause problems. Obsidian will be just fine!
Selenite
Some crystals have so much light and positive energy they don’t know what to do with & are happy to give your other crystals some! Selenite is one of these crystals.
A Selenite slab or plate is ideal for this job. Just leave your obsidian on the plate and let it charge for about 24 hours.
If you don’t have a plate, you can use a normal selenite stone. Just make sure the selenite is bigger than your obsidian.
How To Cleanse Obsidian
Charging is done to give your crystal new positive energy, but you first need to remove the negative energy. This is where cleansing your obsidian is helpful.
Whereas I personally charge my crystals once a month during a full moon, I cleanse the stones I regularly use every week.
Apart from the weekly cleanse, it is also a good idea to cleanse your obsidian after you first get it. This is to remove the energies of all the other people that have handled the crystal before it found you. After all, you don’t want their energy to get mixed with yours.
Running Water
The easiest way of cleansing your obsidian is by holding it under running water for a few minutes. The water will wash away the negative energies and leave you with a clean crystal, ready to be recharged. If you want, you can add a little mild soap. Dry the crystal with a soft cloth.
This method works best for polished stones but is not recommended for rough stones or geodes. This shouldn’t be a problem for obsidian though, as it is most often sold polished. The rough stones can be super sharp, leaving it unsafe for you to mediate with.
Salt Water
To cleanse your obsidian extra thoroughly, you could also submerge it in salt water. Ideally, this would be water directly taken from the sea, but if this is not an option for you, regular water with added (sea) salt will work just fine. Simply place your obsidian in a bowl with the water and leave it overnight.
Please note that salt can be very abrasive and has the potential to leave your crystal dull after using it regularly. Luckily, this won’t affect their vibrations and you’ll be able to use it just the same.
Smoke Cleansing
Smoke cleansing is generally used to cleanse a person’s energy field, rooms or objects (like crystals!). It effectively removes negative energy and leaves you with a nice clean space or crystal.
Just like with any other type of cleansing and recharging setting an intention is essential. Ensure your energy is light by thinking positively and making sure your desires are clear.
For smoke cleansing you need herbs of your choice. Simply light them and blow out the fire. Then, take a deep breath and state your intention out loud. Now you can waft the smoke over the crystals you want to cleanse, or lift the crystals over the smoke for however long you feel like.
I always recommend opening a window so the smoke can leave the room and take all the negative energies with it.
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.
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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