Raw snowflake obsidian is a piece of lava that has had time to mature. In its natural form, this deep black volcanic glass speckled with white patches of cristobalite creates a striking contrast resembling a snowy night sky. These white snowflakes did not appear during the eruption: they formed slowly, over time, as the silica contained in the volcanic glass began to crystallize into cristobalite. It is time that transformed black obsidian into snowflake obsidian, and it is this geological patience that gives this stone its full meaning in lithotherapy. Black obsidian is the raw violence of the volcano; snowflake obsidian is what time has made of it: something more balanced, more mature, more luminous.
In lithotherapy, raw snowflake obsidian is considered the most accessible form of the obsidian family. Its intact structure, with visible cristobalite inclusions, is believed to diffuse an energy of balance between shadow and light, of gentle introspection and patient transformation, more directly than the polished version. Placed in a living room, it brings an energy of harmony and balance to the living space. On a desk, it helps to gain perspective and see both sides of a situation. In a bedroom (unlike black obsidian, this is possible), it accompanies sleep with gentle and balanced protection. Held in the hand during meditation, it works on the root chakra with an energy that protects while illuminating, that anchors while opening perspective. It is the stone for those who want to know themselves deeply but without the brutality of black obsidian.
For maintenance, a rinse with clear water and recharging in moonlight are sufficient. Be careful of sharp edges on unpolished raw pieces, obsidian is a glass that can cut. With a hardness of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale, store it separately from harder stones.
