Throughout history and even in modern times, crystals, gemstones, and incense have garnered great popularity for their usage in spiritual, esoteric, and healing practices.

However, there exists a different kind of natural substance that lacks the same widespread recognition and popularity, despite possessing distinct metaphysical qualities and holding importance in diverse cultures and mystical practices.

Many modern practitioners are not familiar with resins and their metaphysical properties, making them less well-known and utilized. I often encounter people who have limited knowledge about the different types of resins that are available.

Resins have not garnered as much attention and exposure as crystals, gemstones, and incense, despite their growing popularity, particularly on social media and the Internet.

Consequently, individuals might have a lower chance of coming across resins while engaging with metaphysical tools and practices.

I also find that people who are at least somewhat familiar with resins tend to associate them with their use as incense. Resins such as frankincense, myrrh, copal, and others are often burned as incense to purify spaces, objects, and individuals. The smoke cleanses negative energies, purifies the aura, and creates a sacred atmosphere for rituals and ceremonies.

Never cold, as if each bead were an unquenchable flame that burned a million years like a sanctuary lamp beneath the ice, each drop of sticky gold hardening to honeyed stone ~ Gillian Clarke

Burning resins also facilitates spiritual connection and communication with higher realms, guides, and deities. The aromatic smoke is a medium for prayer, meditation, and communion with the divine. Resins are believed to have protective properties that ward off negative energies, evil spirits, and psychic attacks. Burning certain resins creates a barrier of spiritual protection around people and spaces.

Amber, my favorite type of resin, is not typically used as incense in the same way as other resins such as frankincense, myrrh, and copal. While amber has a distinct aroma when heated, it is not commonly burned as incense, mainly because pure amber resin does not produce as much smoke or fragrance as other resins. Instead, the resin is worn as protective jewelry, used in rituals and ceremonies, or displayed as decorative objects to enhance spiritual practices and personal well-being.

Amber is commonly perceived as a stone, but it is indeed a fossil that originated from the resin or ‘tree sap’ of cone-bearing trees like conifers millions of years ago. It is not classified as a mineral, but as an organic substance. The creation of amber starts when resin emerges from trees, usually as a reaction to damage or illness. Gradually, this resin gets buried in layers of sediment and undergoes polymerization and fossilization.

Amber possesses the extraordinary ability to safeguard fossils. It can trap various things like plants, insects, and even small vertebrates, freezing them in time and perfectly preserving them for countless years. This exceptional quality has intrigued scientists, historians, and collectors, enhancing the desirability of amber as a valuable substance. Regrettably, amber cannot conserve genetic DNA.

Amber holds a special place in human history as one of the oldest materials used for decoration and has been valued and used by humans throughout the ages, with evidence of its use dating back to the Stone Age. Archaeological findings, such as amber beads and artifacts, attest to its importance in ancient societies.

Amber’s natural beauty is one of the primary factors contributing to its popularity as an ornament. With a range of hues from pale yellows and oranges to rich browns and reds, amber possesses a warm and translucent appearance that fascinates people. Throughout history, various cultures have linked amber to wealth, status, and power. In civilizations like the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, members of royalty, nobility, and clergy adorned themselves with amber jewelry as a symbol of prestige and divine support.

Ancient, warm, and with thousands of years of wisdom to lean on, it tethers us to nature and the cycles of rebirth. It is pure golden warmth ever ready to rouse your authentic desires and fill your spirit with calm and beautiful energy ~ Brett Larkin

Throughout history, amber has been prized not only for its beauty and use for ornamental purposes, but also for its use in traditional medicine, perfumery, and religious rituals. Amber holds cultural significance in many societies around the world and continues to be valued for its mystical qualities, including:

Protection

Amber holds great significance in various cultures due to its renowned protective properties. It possesses the ability to safeguard against harmful energies, malevolent entities, and psychic assaults by enveloping the wearer or surroundings in a shield of positive energy.

Amber has the ability to fortify the aura, improve spiritual clarity, and aid in connecting with beings from higher dimensions. Whether utilized as jewelry, a talisman, or incorporated into rituals, this precious substance acts as a potent assistant in safeguarding the spirit and fostering spiritual equilibrium and harmony.

Purification

Amber has the ability to purify and restore balance to the aura by eliminating negative energies. It is commonly used in cleansing rituals and ceremonies. In order to enhance the effectiveness of these rituals, amber-infused oil is often utilized. Additionally, amber essential oil, derived from amber resin, serves a variety of purposes such as aromatherapy and fragrance for candles, diffusers, and perfumes.

It is important to note that raw amber should not be burned as incense. Burning raw amber can release unpleasant odors and potentially harmful fumes due to certain organic compounds trapped within the resin. There are alternatives. Some types of amber resin are available for purchase that have been formulated specifically for use as incense. These resins often contain aromatic additives to enhance their fragrance while burning.

Grounding

Amber symbolizes the earth’s energy and the natural world due to its organic origin from fossilized tree resin. It establishes a connection between us and the elemental forces of nature, allowing us to ground and center our energy. In earth-based spiritual practices, amber is utilized to pay homage to the interconnectedness of all living beings.

Healing

Amber was frequently utilized in ancient medical customs due to its therapeutic attributes. It was thought to enhance physical well-being, vitality, and overall health. Traditionally, amber is employed as a remedy for different health issues such as alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and addressing respiratory problems.

Amber has numerous health applications, providing relief for various conditions like sore throats, earaches, toothaches, rheumatism, asthma, and digestive problems. It is believed that holding an amber ball can lower fever and boost metabolism. Additionally, it has been traditionally used to alleviate teething pain in babies.

Spirituality

Amber is said to contain the essence of life because it is warm to the touch, and whole insects or fragments of insects are often found in this fossil. Amber helps open the third eye chakra and facilitates spiritual insight, intuition and psychic abilities. It can be used in meditation practices to deepen one’s connection to the spiritual realm.

Amber holds significance in certain esoteric practices, symbolizing spiritual enlightenment and the broadening of one’s awareness. In regions like the Baltic and Northern Europe, where amber is plentiful, stories and myths frequently portray it as tears shed by the sun or as solidified sunlight, carrying the essence of solar energy and divine illumination.

The origin of Baltic amber in Lithuania is often linked to a mythical story about queen Jurate and fisherman Kastytis. According to the legend, when Kastytis, a mortal man, tried to court the Queen of the Baltic, God Perkunas was furious and struck her underwater amber palace with lightning, sinking Kastytis and his boat. As a result, fragments of amber from the palace have been washed ashore by the waves, while smaller pieces, believed to be Jurate’s tears, are scattered during storms.

Manifesting

The energetic properties of amber help to ‘solidify’ or ‘crystallize’ our prayers, intentions and desires, making it a valuable tool for manifestation practices and rituals. It enhances the power of affirmations, visualization techniques, and intention setting practices to create and manifest wishes and desires more effectively.

Amber is associated with the Fifth Element, also known as Akasha. Akasha is the ruler and binder of the elements of earth, fire, wind and water, symbolizing all living things. When rubbed against silk or wool, amber becomes electrically charged. It is wonderful to work with when manifesting your intentions. This fossil is magnetic and its golden color symbolizes success for Gemini’s, Leos and Virgos.

Amber is considered a sign of fortune and wellbeing in certain cultures. Wearing amber accessories or having them in your living space is thought to bring in abundance and positive outcomes. It is also believed that amber can amplify sensuality and draw attention from someone you are interested in, showcasing your inherent beauty to them.

Ancestral Work

Amber is connected to the Akashic Records, the regression of past lives, and the knowledge inherited from our ancestors. It contains the memories and energies from previous lifetimes and ancient eras, along with the collective wisdom passed down by our predecessors.

Using amber during past life regression sessions or ancestral ceremonies can aid in the exploration of past lives and ancestral ties. Its harmonizing properties help in pacifying an excessively intellectual mind and are beneficial for both past life and inner child work.

Shamanism

Amber is of great importance in shamanism and is utilized in numerous ways to aid in healing, safeguarding, foretelling, and connecting with the spiritual realm. Particular shamans employ amber to summon positive spirits, intensify their altered states of consciousness, and ease their voyages into the world of spirits.

Amber is also sometimes used in psychopomp work, which involves guiding souls to the afterlife or helping spirits transition from the earthly realm. In these rituals and ceremonies, shamans incorporate amber to assist the spirits in their journey and facilitate their passage into the spirit world.

The historical significance of amber in spirituality and mysticism reveals humanity’s profound admiration for nature and the belief in the intrinsic abilities of natural elements to cure, safeguard, and enhance awareness.

Divination

Amber has various applications in divination practices. I have explored the use of amber as a pendulum, but my primary usage revolves around casting the bones. Prior to delving into different Western approaches to healing and divination, I underwent training as a sangoma in Southern Africa three decades ago. During that time, I acquired knowledge in various areas, including the art of divination referred to as ‘throwing the bones.’ A sangoma who casts bones can be likened to a Native American shaman, an Old Norse rune reader, or a European tarot reader.

The bones casting is an ancient divination practice found in many regions of the world, including Africa, Asia, and North America. Traditionally, each bone or token used for casting is part of a “set” or “kit” that the diviner carefully selects with the guidance of spirit, the ancestors, and initially with the help of a mentor. The typical kit contains several small objects and natural curiosities, including bones, shells, beads, wood, ivory, crystals, stones, and other objects of personal significance to the diviner.

At first, my kit for fortune-telling only contained bones from different wild creatures like baboons, lions, anteaters, and wild pigs. These bones were gathered from animals that had passed away naturally. Gradually, I expanded my collection to include shells, seeds, tree bark, money, crystals, and other charms that seemed to have a significance to me. One of the noteworthy additions was a stunning fragment of unprocessed amber.

Some diviner also use amber as a scrying tool by holding or hanging a piece of polished amber in front of a candle flame or natural light source. Scrying is a divination technique that involves looking into a reflective or translucent surface to receive messages, symbols, or visions from the subconscious or spirit realm.

Finally, I’d like to emphasize the significance of being mindful about the karmic responsibility associated with the usage of natural resources like amber in spiritual or healing practices. It is essential to prioritize ethical and sustainable sourcing for all natural materials we utilize, including crystals, gemstones, incense, resins, and so forth.

By actively opting for ethically and sustainably acquired amber, you demonstrate your respect for both our planet’s natural resources and the well-being of the communities and ecosystems involved in its extraction and manufacturing process. Ethically sourced amber guarantees fair labor practices, safeguards biodiversity, boosts local economies, and fosters a harmonious coexistence between humans and the environment.

By infusing your spiritual practice with intentionality and compassion, you contribute to the collective well-being of our planet and affirm your commitment to living in alignment with your values. Choose consciously, practice mindfully, and let your spiritual practice be a beacon of light for the world.

Discover the Fascinating Properties of Ancient Amber

Amber, a fossilized tree resin, has captivated humans for centuries with its mesmerizing beauty and intriguing properties. This ancient gemstone, often referred to as “the gold of the sea,” holds within it a wealth of historical and scientific significance. From its stunning colors to its ability to preserve ancient life forms, amber continues to amaze and fascinate people around the world.

One of the most remarkable properties of amber is its ability to preserve ancient life forms. Trapped within its golden depths are remnants of a bygone era, offering a unique glimpse into prehistoric times. Insects, spiders, and even small reptiles have been found perfectly preserved in amber, frozen in time for millions of years. These tiny creatures provide invaluable insights into the biodiversity and evolution of our planet.

Amber is formed from the resin of ancient trees, primarily conifers. When a tree is injured or stressed, it secretes resin as a defense mechanism. Over time, this resin hardens and fossilizes, transforming into amber. The process can take millions of years, resulting in a gemstone that is both beautiful and durable.

The colors of amber are as diverse as the species of trees from which it originates. Ranging from pale yellow to deep red, amber’s hues are influenced by various factors such as the tree’s age, the presence of minerals, and the environment in which it was formed. The most prized color is a rich, warm honey tone known as “classic amber.” However, other shades like green, blue, and even black can also be found, each possessing its own unique charm.

Amber’s beauty has been admired and sought after throughout history. Ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, valued amber for its aesthetic appeal and believed it possessed magical properties. It was often used in jewelry, amulets, and religious artifacts. Today, amber continues to be highly regarded in the world of jewelry, with designers incorporating it into modern and innovative pieces.

Beyond its visual allure, amber also possesses interesting physical properties. It is lightweight, making it comfortable to wear as jewelry. Additionally, amber is an excellent conductor of electricity when rubbed, a phenomenon known as “static electricity.” This property has been utilized in various scientific experiments and has even inspired the creation of electrostatic generators.

Amber has also been used for medicinal purposes throughout history. Its healing properties were believed to alleviate pain, reduce inflammation, and promote general well-being. Today, amber is still used in alternative medicine practices, particularly in Baltic countries where it is believed to have therapeutic effects on various ailments.

In recent years, scientists have discovered that amber contains a substance called succinic acid. This compound has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, leading to its use in skincare products and supplements. The potential health benefits of succinic acid have sparked interest in the scientific community, with ongoing research exploring its applications in various fields.