ONYX

The rivers of time
We can see
Flowing through
Stone of the goddess.

Ghost quartz in black onyx. Personal stone of Manitu Okahas.

One of the stones that is listed as the birthstone for July is onyx.  When doing the research for this article, I came to a point of confusion.  My initial research indicated that onyx is a form of chalcedony.  I always believed that onyx was a stone deposited by water in caves.  It turns out that there are two stones called onyx.  The banded stone deposited as stalagmites and stalactites in caves is a banded calcite deposited by calcium rich water dripping in the cave.  True onyx is a layered chalcedony deposited by silica saturated water.

For this article, I am referring to the chalcedony.  Onyx is a layered silica oxide with a Mohs hardness of 6.5 to 7.  It is believed to be deposited by low temperature water.  This form of chalcedony is frequently opaque with parallel bands of black and white.  Sardonyx is banded onyx in green, pink, brown, red, and white.  Black onyx is often used as a backing for other stones to pop the color of the other stone.  Historically, this banded stone is prized for carving.  Its smoothness and banding of colors makes it ideal for carving cameos.

Onyx has a long history of use with both good and bad connotations.  On the negative side, onyx has been shunned by the Arabic people, the Chinese, and some African cultures.  They saw it as bad luck or as being inhabited by evil spirits.  Some also claim it suppressed sex drive and energy.

Like Cleopatra, I have always loved onyx, the stone of the goddesses.  I find it soothing and magical.  I believe more in its positive attributes.  It is believed to absorb negative energy and offer protection from that energy.  It has a powerful energy of strength and will, focus and wisdom.  It helps ground that energy solidly in the now.  Many believe that it is a stone of new beginnings that helps you let go of the past.  It encourages a balanced energy flow that aligns all aspects of the self to earth, body, and higher guidance.  It may help with focus, memory, and stamina.

I find its association with mystery intriguing.  It is one of the stones that is used for scrying and shadow work.  The glossy, polished surface seems perfect for viewing into the mists of time, space, and spirit.  So, gaze into the surface of this beautiful stone.  What do you see?  Is it the past? the future? or the desires of your own heart?