Apache Tears: Meaning, Properties and Powers

The Meaning Of Apache Tears
The term “Apache Tears” refers to small, imperfectly round pebbles comprised of Obsidian, a semi-precious mineral that is a type of black or dark-colored volcanic glass.
These pebbles are typically modest in size, often less than two inches in diameter, and frequently bear dents or irregular shapes. Apache Tears are unique stones that originate from the western United States, particularly Arizona and Nevada, regions renowned for their desert-like landscapes.
The name “Apache Tears” derives from the First Nations Apache tribe in the United States and is tied to a poignant and tragic legend. In the 1870s, a small group of Apache warriors engaged in a battle with the American Cavalry. Faced with overwhelming odds and realizing their impending defeat, they made the fateful decision to ride their horses off a mountain, preferring death over capture and execution.
According to the legend, when the wives and children of these warriors heard of this harrowing act, their tears crystallized into stones upon touching the ground where their beloved warriors met their end. These stones were scattered across the desert and can still be found today.
Apache Tears carry a profound connection to Apache culture, their mythology, and the process of healing from grief. It’s essential to recognize that, given the stone’s association with a specific cultural group, this article cannot comprehensively encompass the full spectrum of Apache mythology and lore that enriches one’s understanding of these stones. It’s encouraged to delve into the history, traditions, and interactions of the Apache tribe with white Americans in the 19th century to appreciate the significance of Apache Tear stones fully.
Obsidian holds a longstanding place in the realm of metaphysical gemstone studies, as it appears across the globe. However, Apache Tears represent a distinct variety of Obsidian.
In addition to the general properties attributed to Obsidian in its various forms, Apache Tears share a unique resonance with those who are grieving and bereaved. Notably, they exhibit a gentler vibrational quality compared to other types of Black Obsidian.
The Properties Of Apache Tears
Physical Properties
Apache Tears are a type of volcanic glass, specifically a variety of Obsidian. Obsidian falls under the classification of a mineraloid, distinguished by its lack of a crystalline structure and its predominantly composed of silicon dioxide.
With a chemical composition represented as SiO2, Apache Tears register a hardness rating of 5 to 5.5 on the Mohs scale.
Metaphysical Properties
Apache Tear has the remarkable ability to unearth deep-seated negativity residing within the etheric and emotional realms. Its approach is gradual and gentle, facilitating a thorough and secure transmutation of these negative energies.
This stone serves as a highly effective aura cleanser, adept at absorbing negativity and safeguarding the energy body from unwelcome vibrations, energies, and intrusive entities.
Varieties Of Apache Tears
Apache Tear belongs to the Obsidian family, sharing core characteristics with other Obsidian variations like Snowflake Obsidian, Blue Obsidian, and Mahogany Obsidian, among others.
Additionally, Apache Tear is believed to boost the absorption of essential vitamins, particularly vitamins C and D. It is also reputed to have the capacity to soothe muscle spasms and aid in the detoxification of the body.
Using Apache Tears
The Benefits Of Using Apache Tears
Working with Obsidian in its various forms can prove a bit challenging. While it possesses potent capabilities for dispelling negativity, it can be somewhat capricious and has a tendency to stir up negative energies before you’re fully prepared to address them.
In contrast, Apache Tears exhibit a gentler approach in this regard. This stone seems to possess an innate wisdom, intuitively determining when to carry out its cleansing role and when to offer respite. Opting for Apache Tears over other Obsidian types can enable a calmer and more constructive approach to handling negativity.
Legend has it that Apache Tears, with their origin as the tears of suffering women and children, radiate deep empathy, aiding you in navigating challenges gracefully and tenderly. These crystals wield formidable healing powers, particularly in helping you cope with grief.
While many black stones excel at swiftly and efficiently dispelling negativity, Apache Tears take it a step further by actively assisting in the healing of emotional wounds stemming from tragic or traumatic experiences.
Furthermore, Apache Tears can sharpen your intuition, helping you identify potentially perilous situations before they materialize. Just as the Apache warriors in the story recognized their impending defeat and chose an alternative path, you too will develop an enhanced sense of what’s worth investing your energy in and what may be best left untouched.
It’s important to never fear leaving a task or project unfinished if that’s the right decision for you. Apache Tears can serve as companions in meditation or moments of quiet reflection, aiding you in discerning when it’s beneficial to quit, even if you’ve invested time, money, and effort into a pursuit.
Medical professionals and healers, in particular, should consider incorporating Apache Tears into their practices to safeguard their psychic well-being during the often emotionally taxing experiences of working with the sick and dying. These stones help maintain a clear boundary between personal well-being and professional duties, enabling you to provide compassionate care without sacrificing your own mental and emotional health.
How Best To Use Apache Tears
Utilizing Apache Tears effectively can enhance their beneficial impact on your life. Consider the following methods:
- Aesthetic Accessories: Apache Tears can be fashioned into exquisite and eye-catching jewelry pieces like pendants, rings, brooches, or incorporated into wide bracelets. Adorning yourself with Apache Tears in this manner not only adds to your style but also connects you with their energy.
- Heart-Centered Wear: Wearing Apache Tears close to your heart provides a potent way to experience their influence, as they will reside nearest to the core of your emotions. A substantial pendant resting against the middle of your chest can be especially influential, serving as a continual reminder of mindfulness and maintaining your focus on the stone’s power.
- Home or Office Placement: If you often experience distress or disorientation in certain places, consider placing Apache Tears in your home or office. Position them as close as possible to the locations where you typically encounter such emotions. For instance, if you experience stress by the phone where your boss contacts you, or if you struggle to sleep, place the stone nearby.
- Root Chakra Connection: To strengthen your grounding and connection with the physical world, combine Apache Tears with the power of the root chakra. You can achieve this by wearing or carrying the stone near the base of your spine. Options include incorporating it into a belt buckle for low-rise jeans or placing it in your back pocket, ensuring its energy remains close to the source of your grounding power.
The Powers Of Apache Tears
Emotional Healing Powers
If you find yourself grappling with distressing experiences, Apache Tears can be a comforting and protective presence in your life. Whether you’re dealing with severe trauma or simply enduring a string of challenging days that have left you feeling drained and vulnerable, Apache Tears can be your guiding support as you work toward recovery.
These stones carry a powerful protective energy, akin to a guardian watching over you as you strive to steer your life back onto your desired course. Their reassuring influence is reminiscent of a parent steadying a child’s hand as they take their first steps.
Apache Tears prove invaluable when facing challenging conversations. Whether you’re addressing an issue at work that might bring backlash or navigating a serious relationship discussion, these stones can impart the strength to approach the dialogue with a non-confrontational and constructive demeanor, even in situations where the core of the conversation is demanding rather than negative.
Maintaining composure during confrontations is a valuable skill that many appreciate, and Apache Tears can lend their power to help you achieve this. Like other dark stones, Apache Tears proficiently absorb negative energy, drawing it within themselves and shielding you from its harmful effects. These qualities make them indispensable when confronting difficult circumstances constructively.
At times, it’s natural to wish to shield oneself from the persistent misfortune that appears to loom overhead, and this is precisely what Apache Tears, along with similar stones possessing anti-negativity attributes, enable you to do.
Physical Healing Powers
Obsidian holds a valuable role in physical healing by providing a clear understanding of the underlying causes of various ailments.
Creating an elixir from Obsidian proves effective for addressing shock. Additionally, Apache Tears play a beneficial role in maintaining electrolyte balance within the body, assisting in cases of dehydration.
These stones offer soothing relief for an upset stomach and provide respite from digestive issues, including diarrhea, particularly when the symptoms stem from nervous distress or stress.
Apache Tears And Wealth
To enhance your financial situation with Apache Tears, tap into their grounding and nurturing attributes. These stones excel at dispelling negativity from your surroundings and aura, fostering smoother interactions with others, and cultivating self-confidence and self-belief.
These qualities become particularly valuable when you’re seeking to boost your income, whether by negotiating a raise at work or establishing your own business venture. Apache Tears can provide essential support in such endeavors.
Apache Tears For Love And Relationships
Apache Tears offer emotional support and serve as guides in exploring your true feelings. These crystals excel at extracting negativity from any situation and promoting deep compassion and understanding among individuals.
They facilitate the ability to perceive another person’s perspective and replace irritation or impatience with tolerance and profound understanding. Apache Tears are instrumental in fostering harmonious relationships and promoting empathy.
Chakras And Apache Tears
As a variant of Obsidian, Apache Tears emit a grounding frequency, closely aligned with the Base or Root chakra. They also establish a connection with the Earth Star chakra, positioned just below the earth’s surface, roughly 10cm beneath your feet. This chakra governs destiny-related energies and proves valuable when seeking guidance during uncertain times.
What sets Apache Tears apart is their unique affinity with the Heart chakra, despite their darker appearance compared to other crystals typically associated with this chakra. These crystals possess a gentle yet potent cleansing ability, effectively dispelling harmful or negative energies from the Heart chakra. This clearing paves the way for the infusion of love, light, and compassion within this energy center.
The Best Crystals To Combine And Use With Apache Tears
Chakra Crystal Combinations
When you pair Apache Tears with Black Tourmaline, you create a powerful vibrational synergy for grounding and releasing negative emotions, especially fear, which may obstruct the Base chakra, particularly if you have concerns about your material well-being.
For nurturing your Heart Chakra and experiencing inner peace, you can incorporate Apache Tears alongside Green Aventurine. Additionally, Apache Tears can harmonize effectively with Rose Quartz or Strawberry Quartz to rejuvenate a depleted Heart center.
Other Crystal Combinations
Apache Tears can be combined with stones that enhance positive energy, especially in a healing grid when energy needs replenishing.
In cases where stones have a “cleansing” effect, purging toxic or negative energy from an environment, using them in isolation might occasionally lead to feelings of emptiness or frustration.
Although Apache Tears are less likely to provoke such reactions compared to some other negativity-banishing stones like traditional Obsidian, they can still benefit from a stone radiating intense positive energy.
Turquoise makes an ideal companion for Apache Tears, as it helps uplift your mood and foster open communication. If you’re grappling with grief or a traumatic experience, effective communication with others is crucial for improving your emotional well-being. Turquoise facilitates opening up to individuals who can support you, while Apache Tears work internally to aid your healing process.
For instance, if you often experience confusion and disorientation, the grounding qualities of Apache Stones in connecting you to Earth’s healing energies become incredibly valuable when combined with stones that promote mental calmness, such as Aventurine, Jasper, or Amethyst.
In general, while many stones benefit from the energy of others to achieve balance and reduce potential side effects, Apache Stones function exceptionally well on their own. Their energy, being both purifying and nurturing, protective and empathetic, is unlikely to cause significant negative side effects, even without the addition of complementary stones.
Cleansing And Charging Apache Tears
Because Apache Tears, like most dark stones, possess the ability to absorb negative energy, it’s essential to cleanse them regularly to ensure you receive their full positive benefits.
Failure to cleanse them may lead to a decline in their effectiveness over time.
To cleanse them, simply hold them under running water, envisioning the negative energy being washed away, and then place them in direct sunlight or moonlight for several hours.
To charge your Apache Tear crystal, dedicate some time to contemplate the stone’s significance and the story behind its name. This will infuse your intentions and emotional state with compassion, which can then be channeled into the crystal.
Apache Tears As A Birthstone
While Apache Tear is not officially associated with a specific birthstone or zodiac sign, some believe it resonates with the Sun sign of Sagittarius (Nov 22 to Dec 21).
If you’re a Sagittarius looking to enhance your natural strengths, such as your conversational skills, optimism, and love of fun, consider wearing Apache Tear jewelry.
Apache Tears In Legends And History
The name “Apache Tears” is derived from the First Nations Apache tribe in the United States. This name is linked to a tragic and harrowing tale concerning the Apache tribe.
In the 1870s, a small band of approximately 75 Apache warriors engaged the American Cavalry in a battle on a mountain overlooking what is now Superior, Arizona. Faced with overwhelming odds, the Apaches realized victory was unattainable. Rather than surrendering and facing capture or death, they made a heart-wrenching choice to ride their horses off the mountainside to their demise.
According to the legend, when the wives and children of these warriors learned of this devastating event, their tears crystallized into stones upon touching the ground where their beloved warriors had fallen. These stone tears were left scattered across the desert, where they can still be found today.
Apache Tears hold a profound connection to the mythology of the Apache culture and the process of healing from grief. It’s important to acknowledge that, as this stone is associated with a specific cultural group, this article cannot encompass the entire spectrum of Apache myths and lore that would provide a comprehensive understanding of Apache Tear stones. I encourage you to explore the Apache tribe’s history, mythology, and interactions with white Americans during the nineteenth century to gain a deeper appreciation of the significance of Apache Tear stones.
Final Thoughts On The Power Of Apache Tears
Apache Tears are spiritually significant stones, emanating powerful energies crucial for dispelling negativity from your life. While these stones can be somewhat unpredictable and volatile, they are undeniably effective in this regard.
True Apache Tears exude gentler energies that help your body adapt to spiritual and emotional changes gracefully. They address negative feelings gently yet productively, allowing you to stay composed during life transitions.
Apache Tears play a vital role in healing the wounds left by past tragic experiences. Each experience in life carries valuable lessons, and with Apache Tears, you can carry these lessons forward with wisdom.
These stones empower you to utilize your knowledge effectively when facing challenging situations. They also maintain a delicate balance between work and personal life, ensuring you put effort into your responsibilities without losing yourself in the chaos.
By integrating Apache Tears’ energies into your life, you gain the strength to recover from past struggles and traumas. They offer comfort and protection, reminding you that life’s hardships are part of the cycle. You can deal with them effectively and minimize the damage they leave behind.
Apache Tears encourage openness about your internal struggles and foster meaningful conversations with those around you to express your feelings.
During difficult times, Apache Tears make a valuable addition to your crystal collection. When the world seems against you, they serve as a reminder that there is a reason to persevere even in challenging circumstances. This stone is especially helpful for those who may feel isolated or betrayed, reassuring them that support and understanding exist if they seek it and communicate their fears.
Apache Tears provide guidance during tough times and empower you to stand up to those who may seek to dominate or manipulate you, granting you the strength to overcome challenges.