Obsidian - The Protective Mirror of the Earth

INTRODUCTION

There are a few crystals I keep all over my home, but obsidian holds a special place. I have it near my TVs, computers, and anywhere I do energy work. I even have a large piece by the front door to catch anything that doesn’t belong in our space. It’s not just about the energy either - my husband likes the look of it, so it’s one of the few crystals that’s allowed to live in plain sight.

At Cosmic Oasis, I placed a large obsidian crystal ball right in the reading room. Readings can bring up a lot - energy gets stirred, emotions surface, and sometimes people walk in carrying things they don’t even know they’re holding. That obsidian ball isn’t just decoration. It’s there to ensure that whatever low-vibrational energy people bring in, it doesn’t linger. Obsidian doesn’t just look powerful - it is.

THE SCIENCE OF OBSIDIAN

Obsidian is a type of natural volcanic glass, formed when lava cools rapidly with little to no crystal growth. Its dark, glossy surface is made mostly of silica, and its texture is smooth and sharp - so sharp, in fact, that it’s been used to make surgical blades more precise than steel. Unlike many crystals, obsidian lacks an internal crystal structure. It’s amorphous, meaning it doesn’t grow in neat patterns or geometric shapes. It’s wild, raw, and untamed - just like the energy it helps ground.

Because of its natural origin and quick formation, obsidian has been used by ancient cultures all over the world for tools, weapons, mirrors, and ceremonial objects. Even without metaphysical labels, people have long understood that obsidian means something. Its presence has always commanded attention.

SPIRITUAL PROPERTIES & USES

In the metaphysical world, obsidian is known as one of the strongest protective stones. It doesn’t just shield - it absorbs. It’s believed to pull in dense, chaotic, or negative energies from your surroundings, your body, or your energetic field, trapping them so they don’t continue to circulate. For this reason, obsidian is often used by empaths, energy workers, and anyone doing healing or shadow work.

It’s strongly connected to the root chakra, making it grounding and stabilizing. When you feel scattered or overwhelmed, obsidian helps you come back to your body and the present moment. But its work doesn’t stop there - obsidian also acts like a mirror for the soul. It reveals truth. It helps you see what’s hidden or suppressed, especially in yourself. Sometimes this can be uncomfortable, but it’s part of the healing process. Obsidian doesn’t pretend. It shows you what needs to be seen, so you can clear it and move forward.

BRIDGING THE GAP: SCIENCE MEETS SYMBOLISM

The way obsidian “absorbs” energy can be understood both spiritually and scientifically. On a physical level, we know that black absorbs light and heat, and metaphorically, obsidian’s dark surface absorbs attention - it draws things inward. When you place obsidian near electronics, it’s not just about blocking EMFs (though some believe it helps with that) - it’s about using intentional placement to create a sense of energetic boundary.

This is the power of symbolic action. Whether or not you believe a crystal is physically absorbing negative energy, the act of placing it with intention does something. It shifts your awareness. It tells your subconscious: this is a safe space. This isn’t about superstition - it’s about psychological and energetic hygiene. And when you enter a space that feels grounded, your nervous system picks up on that, even if you don’t know why.

CONCLUSION

Obsidian may not sparkle or dazzle like some of the more colourful crystals, but that’s exactly its strength. It’s not here to distract you - it’s here to support you, protect you, and guide you inward. It sits quietly in the corner, by the door, or on your desk, doing its work without fanfare. It’s the silent guardian. The mirror. The truth-teller.

If you’re looking for a crystal that doesn’t just look mystical but actually feels like it’s holding the space, obsidian might be the one. Just be ready - when you work with obsidian, it might show you more than you expected. But it’ll never leave you without the grounding you need to face it.

Consciousness: The Mystery Behind Awareness

INTRODUCTION

Consciousness is something we all experience, but few of us truly understand. It’s the awareness that allows you to hear your own thoughts, feel your emotions, and witness the world around you. It’s what makes you you - and yet, it’s the one thing most of us rarely question.

Where does consciousness come from? Is it a product of the brain, or something far deeper? And perhaps most importantly - who is it that’s aware of your experience?

When I first started meditating, I (like most people) thought I had to clear my mind. I believed the goal was silence or stillness, and when my thoughts wouldn’t stop, I assumed I was doing it wrong. I struggled with meditation for a long time - until I learned to ask the question: “Who am I?”

Not my name.

Not what I do for a living.

Not my role as a wife or mother.

Not my personality or intelligence type 

 Not even my thoughts.

I’m the observer.

I’m the one who notices the thoughts, the feelings, and the reactions.

When I understood that, I finally understood what meditation really was. It’s not about getting rid of your thoughts - it’s about sitting with your true self. The one who simply watches. The one who just is.

It’s not about clearing the mind. It’s about becoming aware of the one who’s watching it.

That is consciousness.

THE SCIENCE OF CONSCIOUSNESS

In the scientific world, consciousness is often called “the hard problem” - a term coined by philosopher David Chalmers. While we understand how neurons fire, how the brain processes information, and even how thoughts form, we still don’t know why any of it is accompanied by subjective experience.

Why does seeing the colour red feel a certain way? Why does music evoke emotion? Why is there an inner voice narrating your life - and who is listening?

Some scientists believe consciousness arises from complex brain activity. Others propose it may be a fundamental force, like space or time - something that doesn’t emerge from the brain but is instead filtered through it. Research into altered states, near-death experiences, and quantum theory has further challenged the idea that consciousness is limited to the physical brain.

THE SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

Spiritual teachings often begin with the idea that consciousness is not something you have - it’s something you are. You are not your body, your mind, or your thoughts. You are the awareness observing it all.

When I began to understand this, everything shifted.

Meditation became something completely different.

It was no longer about trying to fix myself or quiet my mind. It became about sitting with my true self - the one who watches without judgment, who feels without attachment, who simply exists.

In Eastern philosophies, this awareness is called Atman, or the Self. In mystical traditions, it’s the soul, the witness, or divine presence. Spirituality doesn’t just teach about consciousness - it invites you to return to it. To be it. To let everything else fall away.

BRIDGING THE GAP

Science and spirituality often ask the same questions, but from different angles.

• ·Science seeks to measure and explain consciousness.

  
  

• Spirituality seeks to embody and live it.

  
  

When we bridge the two, we begin to see that consciousness isn’t just a feature of the brain or a poetic metaphor - it’s a real, living presence within us and around us.

Science helps us understand the systems that shape our awareness.

Spirituality reminds us that we are more than those systems - we are the awareness itself.

Together, they offer a fuller picture: one that’s grounded in research but rooted in something eternal.

CONCLUSION

Consciousness is more than thought. It’s more than awareness. It is the quiet presence beneath all things - the observer behind the scenes, the stillness underneath the noise.

To explore consciousness is not just to understand life - it’s to wake up within it.

And once you do, everything begins to change.

The Flower Moon: Full Bloom, Full Clarity

INTRODUCTION

Each full moon carries a unique name and energy - and May’s full moon is known as the Flower Moon, a nod to the explosion of blossoms that fill the earth this time of year. It’s a time of beauty, growth, and emergence. Just like the flowers pushing through the soil, we’re invited to rise, stretch, and bloom into who we’re becoming.

In 2025, the Flower Moon reaches its peak on Monday, May 12 at 12:56 p.m. EDT, but you’ll feel its energy - and see its brightness - the nights before and after, especially on May 11 and 13. This makes for a perfect weekend to pause, reflect, and engage in ritual or intention-setting.

THE ENERGY OF THE FLOWER MOON

The Flower Moon is all about flourishing. We’ve moved through the slower, inward energy of winter and the fresh starts of early spring. Now, we’re in a season of momentum. This moon supports:

• Personal growth and expansion

  
  

• Creativity and self-expression

  
  

• Clarity and insight

  
  

• Honouring how far you’ve come

  
  

• Nurturing what you want to see bloom next

It’s also a powerful time to check in: What are you feeding with your energy? Are your thoughts and actions supporting your growth - or holding it back?

THE SPIRITUAL PERSPECTIVE

Spiritually, the Flower Moon invites us to tend to our internal garden. What beliefs are blooming? What emotions are in full colour? What needs pruning to create space for more beauty, more truth, more alignment?

This moon also reminds us of the divine timing in everything. Flowers don’t bloom before they’re ready. Trust that your path is unfolding exactly as it should - and that you don’t need to rush to catch up. You’re right on time.

HOW TO WORK WITH THIS FULL MOON

This is a perfect time for any ritual involving clarity, growth, and release. Here are a few ideas:

• Make Moon Water: Infuse it with intentions of abundance, beauty, and clarity (see our full moon water blog for instructions).

  
  

• Write a Gratitude List: Reflect on what’s already blooming in your life, big or small.

  
  

• Do a Release Ritual: Burn or bury limiting beliefs that are stunting your growth.

  
  

• Flower Bath or Offering: Use petals or essential oils in a bath to embody the energy of blossoming.

  
  

• Spend Time in Nature: Walk, breathe, or meditate among the flowers and trees. Let the earth mirror your growth.

  
  

BRIDGING THE GAP: WHY IT WORKS

You don’t have to believe in moon magic to feel the shift in energy during a full moon. Scientifically, full moons impact tides and light cycles - both of which affect our biology, including sleep and mood. Energetically, full moons symbolize illumination: what’s been hidden comes into view. By working with this energy intentionally, we’re simply tuning into what’s already happening around (and within) us.

CLOSING THOUGHTS(PERSONAL NOTE)

I’ve always loved the Flower Moon - it feels gentle but powerful, like a reminder to stop hiding and start showing up in full colour. Every year, I find myself returning to the same question: What am I ready to bloom into now? And even when I don’t know the answer, just sitting under the moonlight with that question feels healing.