Onyx
Description: Onyx is a type of chalcedony that occurs in the form of layers of a variety of colors. Mostly the colors include black, black and white, red and white, orange-brown/honey and white. Commercially, Onyx is used as a building material, some people claiming that it will be used in the future much as marble is used now.
Location: It is found in Italy, United States, and Mexico.
Astrological Sign: Leo
Spiritual Uses: Onyx is an excellent stone to use for aligning and centering oneself with the higher powers. It encourages happiness and good fortune and can be used to banish grief, enhance self-control, and stimulate the power of wise decision-making. It helps its user absorb, from the universal energies, those energies which one needs. It furthers the quality of sentience of the instincts, helping one to both see and to feel the guidance that is provided. Onyx is also a protective stone worn when one is facing adversaries in battles or conflicts of all kinds. Onyx is used for protection as well as defense against negativity. While the actuality of “psychic attacks” or “hexing” are rare occurrences and are often existing only in the mind of the victim, nonetheless, the performance of defensive rituals can be psychologically cleansing. Onyx can help one to see the duality of one’s nature and to synthesize the yin and yang into the whole being. It can be used to provide glimpses of that which lies “beyond” this reality while providing for activation of the memory with respect to one’s “roots.” It promotes the recognition of personal strengths and assists one in the understanding of the reality of the moment. It helps one to follow the path alone, while also helping one to become the master of one’s own future.
Physical Uses: Onyx has been used to reduce the sexual impulses, but this can be dangerous being that sexual release in a natural part of life. When it is repressed, physical or mental illness, antisocial behavior, or religious delusions can sometimes result Although natural sexual impulses exist for pleasure and for union with other humans, sometimes there is a need to curb uncontrollable sexual urges. Sex has been shown to be psychologically addictive, especially when shared with many different new partners frequently. Onyx is one stone that can be used to keep one’s sexuality in balance, which is what is desired. When the stone is empowered for protective purposes, it affects the sex center in different ways. Since sex is linked with the survival of our species, it “protects” life, and wearing Onyx or utilizing it in protective rituals channels sexual energy into the stone and from there creates protection. When a Diamond, which is sexually arousing, is set in Onyx, the Diamond’s energy is surrounded by the sexually inhibiting energy of Onyx, and this combination symbolizes control over our sexual natures. Aside from its sex-inhibiting properties, Onyx can be used to cleanse the intuitive receivers so that one may feel the connection to the whole while continuing to be aware of the many opportunities available for use of intuitive guidance. Onyx has been used in the treatment of disorders related to bone marrow, to the soft tissue structures, and to the feet.
History: In classical ceremonial magic, the image of the head of the god Mars or a figure of the hero Hercules was engraved on Onyx and carried for courage.