Black Tourmaline is one of the most common crystals to be frequently picked up for healing, cleansing and grounding purposes. In this article, we will cover some of the most basic information about Black Tourmaline for those who just started their healing journey, so read on!

1. WHAT IS BLACK TOURMALINE?

Black tourmaline is the most abundant variety of tourmaline in nature. The crystal has a naturally occurring sheen which gives it a polished appearance. It also often features inclusions of the mineral, mica which is silver in color, resulting in a dazzling combination of dark and light that is highly prized. It’s widely used in jewelry and fine quality specimens are found in Brazil, Pakistan and Africa.

2. ORIGIN OF TOURMALINE

In the 1500s, a Spanish conquistador found green tourmaline in Brazil—which he mistook for emerald. His error held until the 1800s, when mineralogists finally identified tourmaline as its own mineral species.

In the early 1890s, tourmaline was reported in California—where Native Americans had, for centuries, given certain colors of the gemstone as funeral gifts.

At that point, China represented the biggest market for tourmaline. The Chinese Empress Dowager Cixi was particularly fond of pink tourmaline. She purchased large quantities of it from deposits in San Diego County.

Brazilian tourmaline discoveries in the 1980s and 90s reignited interest in this gemstone, because material mined in Paraíba displayed such striking neon greens, radiant blues, and vivid violets. This region has produced the world’s finest, most valuable specimens of tourmaline.

3. BLACK TOURMALINE HEALING PROPERTIES

Uses: Protection against harmful energy stemming from people or the environment  

Chakra: Root Chakra 

Origin: Brazil, Africa and Pakistan 

Color: Black

Birthstone month: October

Black Tourmaline healing properties can help with physical, emotional, and spiritual balance and issues. It has healing powers to help with physical ailments and emotional issues. It is also used in Energy Healing and Chakra balancing. Black Tourmaline healing crystal therapies include strengthening the immune system, cleansing the emotional body, and grounding spiritual energies. The therapeutic uses of Black Tourmaline have a long and well-documented history. Meditation with Black Tourmaline is also highly recommended.

3.1 PHYSICAL BLACK TOURMALINE HEALING PROPERTIES

Black Tourmaline stimulates the reflex points associated with the lower back, legs, ankles, and feet, and may be used to realign the spinal column. It provides pain relief and assists with strained or torn muscles, numbness, arthritis, and scar tissue.

Black Tourmaline defends against debilitating disease and strengthens the immune system, heart, and adrenal glands. It also is beneficial in treating the bowels, constipation, IBS, and diseases of the colon, as well as ridding the body of heavy metal toxins and environmental pollutants.

Tourmaline is a marvelous tool for balancing the right/left hemispheres of the brain and bringing mental processes into alignment with the chakras and auric body. It diminishes fear and may be useful in treating paranoia and overcoming dyslexia by improving eye/hand coordination and the assimilation and translation of coded information.

3.2 EMOTIONAL BLACK TOURMALINE HEALING PROPERTIES

Black Tourmaline is a stone of purification, cleansing the emotional body of negative thoughts, anxieties, anger, or feelings of unworthiness. It helps in overcoming substance abuse and releases any suicidal thoughts or self-harming tendencies. It may be beneficial in treating obsessive or compulsive behaviors, and in relinquishing chronic worry.

Black Tourmaline increases physical vitality, replacing tension and stress with the ability to view the world objectively with clear, rational thought and neutrality. It inspires a positive attitude, no matter the circumstances, and stimulates altruism and practical creativity. 

3.3 CHAKRA BALANCING BLACK TOURMALINE HEALING PROPERTIES

 

Black Tourmaline may be used to activate grounding between the Root Chakra and the center of the Earth, providing further enhancement of one’s well-being on the physical plane.

The Root Chakra is located at the base of the spine and controls the energy for kinesthetic feeling and movement. It is the foundation of physical and spiritual energy for the body.

When physically out of balance the symptoms will manifest themselves as lethargy, low levels of activity, low enthusiasm, and a need for constant stimulation. When its spiritual energies are out of balance, you will feel flighty, disconnected from reality, and distant.

When the Root Chakra is in balance, the physical body regains its strength and stamina, and the spiritual energy is rekindled in the form of security and a sense of one’s own power. It often leads to independence and spontaneous leadership. Shop for Root Chakra Items >>

4. HOW TO USE BLACK TOURMALINE

4.1 RITUAL FOR PROTECTION

At the beginning of your day, put on a piece of black tourmaline jewelry and choose a piece of raw black tourmaline. The wearable will remain with you and the chunk or shard will stay in the space where you perform this ritual.

On a piece of paper, write three things that you’ve committed to protecting yourself from or which you’ like to cleanse. Some examples could include, the negative influence of someone, an emotional loop you’re stuck in or a troubling memory.

Next, write down three concrete and actionable ways of how you’re going to either confront and banish these things from your life.

Read over these notes several times and place this paper underneath the stone.

Revisit your strategy periodically around your tourmaline altar as needed. In time, the combination of your will and the stone’s protection will cleanse and safeguard you from the negative energy.

4.2 MEDITATION FOR RELAXATION

Select one or two pieces of black tourmaline and place them in the palm of your hand(s). 

Close your eyes, and imagine the black color of the stone washing over your body and thoughts. 

Slowly breath inwards and outwards while remaining in this space 

The dark represents clarity and safety in this space. There’s nothing to fear as you’re the light in this dark.

 Allow any worries or troubling thoughts to come and go. As soon as they come, acknowledge them and let them pass by. 

 This is a carefree moment. Everything else will be dealt with in due time. 

 Remain in this headspace and let your worries and concerns brush by and leave the space. 

When you’ve felt your heartbeat slow and your muscles relax, picture the black color shrinking slowly and eventually setting at the base of the spine. This is the location of the root chakra. 

 Slowly open your eyes and remember that at any point you can return to this space (even for a short while) for some time to yourself, free of worry, and stress.

4.3 CLEANSING AND PROTECTING YOUR SPACE

Choose a space that you would like to fortify with black tourmaline. Cleanse your space with a sacred herb of your choice that is meant for this purpose. Select several pieces or fragments of the stone. You’ll need a piece for every corner, door, and windowsill.  Place the stones in the appropriate places If you know that the work is going to be cut out for your home grid, place a shard of clear quartz next to the black tourmaline to amplify its effect.

5. FINAL THOUGHTS

Black tourmaline is an excellent stone for calming the mind as well as protecting your spirit and place. There’s a reason it’s an essential tool in the arsenals of countless energy practitioners around the world. Use the stone to clear and repel negative energy for a less chaotic life and one richer with positivity and light. Use it to nurture your root chakra so it can help reinforce and stabilize you so that you can tackle even the fiercest of challenges and tests that life puts you through.