Stones
AMBER
I know that this stone scored really low on the test I did with Sora, but it
has and always will be my favorite stone or gem to wear. To be specific, dark
cherry amber is what I love and try hard to locate.
Anyways, amber comes from fossilized tree sap, it is not a stone or crystal,
and it is very similar to petrified wood. It was once organic. Amber is known
to mineralogists as succinite. In order for amber to be mined, it can take up
to 30 million years for succinic acid to be formed. This acid is required
because amber that is too young and lacking in it is brittle and dry and
totally of no use to the jewelry industry. But still very much a beautiful and
natural stone to see.
Since amber was once tree sap it stands to reason that you would find residue
in the amber as well. Bark, leaves, and insects are quite common, as are
bubbles within the amber. Many companies have now taken to manufacturing their
own amber through heat treating processes to make clear and unblemished stones.
For some strange reason I dislike them. I love real amber for its flaws and
little piece of the past still preserved within.
Amber is one of the 2 known stones in the world can be charged and not just all
new agey hippy like either. Amber can pick up a static electric charge when
being polished. Once the stone is polished, be careful not to set it near any
possible dirt as the electric charge will draw it near like a magnet.
Most of the trees that hosted the sap for amber to be formed came from the
Baltic Sea region. As the Sea slowly encroached upon these forests, tons of
amber deposits were submerged. So today amber is usually mined underwater. So I
feel it is a water stone. The water consumed it, and through water we find it.
Although you will find many people who associate it with fire because of the
colouring which ranges from reds, to browns, to yellows and oranges.
Amber has been mythologically believed to be tears of the gods, or the essence
of the rays of the setting sun washed up on the sea shore. The most humorous
though has to be the scientific community's belief that amber was solidified
lynx urine. Don't ask why because I cannot find an answer as to where this
theory came from. Tragically this was maintained for a few hundred years until
technology could properly identify amber as fossilized tree sap.
Scott Cunningham has noted that "amber has been used for nearly every purpose
in magic." It was often worn by shamans and witches, who believed that it could
increase the power of their magic. Amplify the power of the Gods. It actually
has a chakra connection too, commonly placed on the solar plexus. In part
because of the colour, as the solar plexus chakra is referred to as the yellow
one. It is the centre of one's aura and psychic energy field. It is fitting
because amber carries a charge. It can be recharged and used to balance or
energize our bodies.
Amber can be used to improve the functions of the brain and nervous system,
release anxiety, and to increase clarity if mind. It is a very stimulating
compound, but many people cannot wear amber for more than a few hours as it can
create irritation or over activity. Amber has been compared to caffeine, too
much will create chaos, tempers and arguments. If the excess energy is used
then it is in balance. Strangely I have never felt a problem with wearing amber
for too long. I can go for up to 16 hours, and still feel full of cheer and
energy.
A piece of amber I take in my hand from the seaweed on the Baltic strand.
It burns a longing in the skin of my hand- tell me, stone, what message you
bring to this land!
A vision from your singular shimmering light spellbinds the sea waves'
continuous flight.
Is your secret sealed eternity?
Submitted by Aurelia Dawn