Tirza Schaefer | Crystals

Apache Tears

Gemstones and minerals have been used since times immemorial for ritual purposes, to mark places and for healing. The work with crystals and its positive effects is well documented and comprises a valuable additional tool alongside traditional and alternative forms of treatment. For a list of stones and further information, please visit the Crystals page.

Alternate Names

Smoky Obsidian

Marekanite

Locations

Arizona/USA

Composition

Apache Tears are a Silicon Dioxide with impurities of the mineraloids class of crystals. Its colour is jet black. It can often look brown when held up to bright light. When Apache Tears are naturally weather-worn, they form grey Perlite on their surface, making them look like they have been dusted with icing sugar.

They are a translucent variety of Black Obsidian, which is formed by volcanic lava hardening into a glass-like stone. If they are not from the area where the Apache lived, they are classed as just another form of Obsidian.

General Information & Legends

Apache Tears have strong grounding and psychic protection properties as well as giving protection whilst travelling, particularly during night travel. They can be used in the workplace to protect from demanding or hostile colleagues. They are a gentler form of Obsidian and are therefore useful for healing both grief and trauma from this and previous lives.

Apache Tears can help move you forward from a feeling of victimisation, bitterness and blame to a feeling of empowerment and forgiveness. They help with the recognition and resolution of conscious and subconscious beliefs that no longer serve you as you move forward with your life. They are particularly helpful for children who have been traumatised, both physically and emotionally.

This crystal was named Apache Tears because of an old Native American Tale. Legend has it that in the late 1800s some members of an Apache tribe were being pursued by the Cavalry whom they had been bravely fighting, even though they were outnumbered. The Apache warriors eventually found themselves at a cliff face and rather than allowing themselves to be taken into captivity by the enemy, they rode their horses off the top of the mountain to their deaths.

When the news got back to the women and children of their tribe, the myth goes that their tears of grief fell on the ground and formed into these dark-coloured crystals so that people would never forget what happened. This is why the crystal is reputed to be of great help to those whose grief is associated with suicide.

Deities & Angels

There are no direct connections but check on those for other types of Obsidian to work with.

Chakras

Root Chakra

Heart Chakra

Apache Tears help absorb and clear negative energy from the auric field in a more gentle way than Obsidian.

Healing

Physical: Helps with detoxifying, knee discomfort, muscle pain and spasms, nail disease, Vitamins C and D deficiencies. Apache Tears are also reputed to expel the venom of snakebite.

Emotional/Mental: Assists with anxiety, depression, dispel or release negativity, distress, emotional abuse, emotional blockages, fear, forgiveness, grief, mourning, panic and shock. They are also said to help heal past life trauma and inner child trauma, particularly when used together with Malachite and Amethyst.

Spiritual: Aids auric protection, grounding, mental clarity, wards off psychic attacks and affords psychic and spiritual protection.

Birthstones & Anniversaries

Traditional: None

Modern: Aries

Anniversaries: None

Meditation

Apache Tears protect from negative energy, psychic attacks and keep you grounded whilst in a meditative state.

Affirmation

I am strong in times of grief.

Warning

Cleanse your crystals regularly.