The flint knife was also a physical form of deity named Xiuhtecuhtli, a fire deity who is in charge of the New Fire Ceremony. In this case, the obsidian flint knife functioned as a cosmic power that controlled the flow of the tonalli. By the process of pulling out the heart, the Aztecs believed that the energy or tonalli was stored through the interruption of divine energy (Duverger 369). During ritual ceremonies, Aztec priests used obsidian flint knives to offer a victim’s heart to the sun. Due to obsidian’s identity as a sacred force, its physical matter was widely applied where divine energy was required.Ī representative application of obsidian’s energy are obsidian knives. In addition, Tezcatlipoca the principal god was the sacred stone itself (Heyden 222). In the Florentine Codex, the deity Itzlacoliuhqui is a personification of curved obsidian. Also, obsidian’s association with the gods is clearly represented through the identification of Aztec deities. According to Heyden, the name Teotihuacan can also be reconstructed as “the place of the divine stone” (Heyden 219). The center of the obsidian industry was the city of Teotihuacan, which meant as “the place where gods are made” (Sahagún). Obsidian was not only a divine medium, but also a force, or energy itself deeply associated with Aztec religion. Obsidian’s sacred origin and eccentric physical characteristics made obsidian as a transcendental medium that connected cosmic and earthly worlds for the Aztecs. Also, the Aztec priests applied ashes and herbs in order to make their skins black and represent themselves as a communicator with divine forces.

Therefore, among the many other colors of obsidian, the black obsidians were commonly applied on the sculptures of gods and mirror to accentuate divinity. In addition, black color and iridescence are further evidences of obsidian’s volcanic origin and physical transformation of tonalli.

In the Mesoamerican culture, mountains, especially volcanoes, were considered holy places where not only ancestors and spirits dwelt, but also where fountains of condensed energy emerged from the interior of the earth (Saunders 221, Heyden 220). Obsidian’s sacred nature originated from its natural black color and iridescence. Obsidian was at the heart of Aztec civilization and functioned as: a visual metaphor of the Aztec’s religion, a medium that stimulated the Aztec’s economy, and as an efficient tool in Aztec culture. In addition to its distinctive physical characteristics, obsidian was an essential material in Aztec society. Although there are a few red or brown varieties, it is often found as black. Obsidian is created when lava cools down rapidly before the minerals crystallize. The medium of this wondrous head is obsidian, a volcanic glass that mystifyingly reflects light above its dark matter. We’ve included some hauntingly gorgeous scrying mirrors that may just inspire you to connect with your second sight.Description of Tezcatlipoca, the 'smoking mirror' Scryers enter a deep meditative state during this curious practice and learn to interpret the visions and images they see which can be symbolic in nature, often akin to a dream-like state. Other reflective surfaces have also been used for scrying, including water, oil, shields, black glass, other shiny materials, and also smoke and fire. Rather, it’s more about obtaining guidance or inspiration.Ī scrying mirror is a black mirror that is typically made from opaque materials such as obsidian, quartz, or black glass. It’s often a misunderstood practice of trying to see the future. They’re regarded as powerful tools to help unlock hidden knowledge and psychic insights.ĭerived from the Old English word “descry”, the word itself means “to reveal.” Scrying practitioners gaze into shiny or reflective surfaces such as obsidian or quartz to help them see and interpret images or signs thought to be sent from higher powers, spirits, entities, or the collective conscious/unconscious. Scrying mirrors have been used for centuries as an ancient divination practice across many cultures.

Ancient obsidian mirror