Black Onxy (Black Agate) - Properties, Meanings, Benefits Uses and Associations
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Black Onyx, or Black Agate, as it's also known, has its roots in ancient civilisations, with a storied history of discovery across various regions, including Italy, Mexico, the USA, Russia, Brazil, and South Africa. Revered for its deep black hue, this gemstone has been cherished for centuries.
Black Onyx (Agate) earned its place as a sought-after gemstone with a rich aesthetic appeal. Centuries ago, artisans carved it into intricate cameos and intaglios, showcasing its versatility in artistic expressions. During the Victorian era, Black Onyx experienced a resurgence, particularly in mourning jewellery, owing to its dark colour symbolizing grief.
The gemstone continued its fashionable journey into the Art Deco period, where its sleek appearance complemented the geometric and contrasting designs of the time. Throughout the mid-20th century, Black Onyx retained its allure, often set in gold or silver for a timeless aesthetic
Steeped in lore, Black Onyx is believed to hold the memories of its wearer, fostering a deep and personal connection. Renowned for its positive impact, it is considered beneficial for students, teachers, business owners, and bodybuilders. Tradition suggests wearing Black Onyx on the left side of the body for optimal effects.
Resonating with the Root, Solar Plexus, and Third Eye chakras, Black Onyx establishes a profound connection with grounding energies and heightened intuition. Aligned with the element of Earth, it anchors the wearer to a sense of stability and balance.
Black Onyx is believed to influence personal development, fostering inner strength, willpower, and self-mastery. It promotes discipline, reason, and persistence, enhancing attention to detail and efficient information retention. The gemstone supports self-control, and mitigates anxiety, temper, and conflict. It strikes a balance between passion and efficiency, influencing traits related to lust and chastity. Metaphysically, Black Onyx addresses old grief, sorrow, fears, worries, and contributes to sound decision-making.
Black Onyx is celebrated for its energetic benefits, prevents dissipation, brings balance to yin and yang, cools an overactive energy field, and consolidates the energy of other stones. It's believed to integrate spiritual insight, support scrying, and enhance appropriate power use by focusing on the positive aspects. Additionally, Black Onyx is associated with telekinetic abilities, psychometry, and past life healing,
Recognised for promoting physical strength and vitality, the gemstone is said to provide the endurance needed to surmount challenges. Its positive impact on memory is associated with improved retention and recall. Black Onyx is often linked to vitality, aiding in recuperation from illnesses and fatigue, contributing to overall well-being. This includes burn out and being exposed to excessive energy previously. Addressing physical weaknesses, such as weak legs, the gemstone's stabilising energies extend to moving retained energies too, potentially alleviating issues like constipation. Its influence on bone strength, teeth, and bone marrow is believed to fortify these structures and support blood health. As a foundation stone, Black Onyx is associated with promoting stability in the feet, contributing to an overall sense of balance and grounding.
As a foundation stone, Black Onyx promotes stability and strength in the feet, creating a physical grounding that translates into a stable foundation for individuals to build and maintain habits. In essence, the holistic benefits of Black Onyx, spanning physical strength, mental focus, and overall well-being, create an environment conducive to habit formation—a supportive companion on the journey to instilling and sustaining positive lifestyle changes.
MOHS: 7
Name: from the Greek word for claw or finger
Substance: A banded, chalcedony member of the quartz family with a hexagonal, trigonal crystal structure and parallel, marble-like bands
Colours: Black
Location: Italy, Mexico, USA, Russia, Brazil, South Africa
Chakras: Root, Solar Plexus and Third Eye
Element: Earth
Pseudo and nick-names: Black Agate
Interesting Facts:
- Used for cameos carving
- Often made by dyeing grey chalcedony darker
- Said to hold the memories of it's wearer
- Good for students, teachers, business owners, body builders
- Better worn on the left side of the body
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Physical/Environmental
- focus
- endurance
- memory
- physical strength
- vitality
- recouperation from illness
- fatigue
- weak legs
- constipation
- teeth
- bones
- bone marrow
- blood disorders
- feet
- burn out recovery
Historical and Traditional Folk Uses - Emotional/Psychological:
- Inner Strength
- willpower
- self - mastery
- discipline
- reason
- persistence
- attention to detail
- information retention
- self control
- anxiety
- temper
- passion
- conflict
- efficiency
- lust
- chastity
- old grief and sorrow
- fears and worries
- decision making
- prevents dissipation
- cooling
- condenses
- grounding
- calms an overactive energy field
- consolidating other stone energy
- integrating spiritual insight
- scrying
- appropriate power use, focussing on the positive
- telekinetic
- psychometry
- past life healing
- balances yin and yang energy
*This information refers to the stone type in general and not any specific product made from or with it. It is based on folk lore and historical, traditional use only and does not contain scientifically proven health claims. It is for entertainment purposes only and should not be interpreted as a suggestion that the products can treat, cure or prevent any disease or illness. They are not a substitute for professional, medical advice. Always see your doctor.*
(Sources: The Book of Stones - Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Crystal Bible - Judy Hall, Crystals - Lauren D'Silva)