Obsidian is crystallized volcanic lava, a dark substance that forms when molten rock cools down quickly. At Samhuinn Fire Festival we represent frozen fire, the moment that explosive energy is captured by Winter’s structural forces.

A potent mixture of hot and cold, we manifest the transition from Summer to Winter. Just as Obsidian gets colder and hardens into impenetrable stone, so our group grows stronger as the icy months draw nearer. We are an extension of the Winter King, and feed off his rising energy in an increasingly formidable display of power.

Obsidian is a group of Winter warriors who show the solemn beauty of the new season. We guard the Winter King, act as his personal army, and put the life out of summer.

As Winter wakes up and takes over summer, our solemn stoicism grows into a powerful acro performance, representing the frozen grip of the season. We play with LED lights, whose white glow is evocative of wintry flames – the Northern Lights, the North Star, and the sun’s fire shining through ice.

Featured image by Gordon Veitch for Beltane Fire Society. All rights reserved.

Samhuinn Fire Festival takes place on Wednesday 31st October on Calton Hill from 7pm. Tickets are available from Tickets Scotland.