Sacred Stones. March 2012 Crystal of the Month: Amber. Larry Bassett

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Sacred Stones March 2012 Crystal of the Month: Amber By Larry Bassett Background: Amber is an amazing crystal and a sacred gemstone in all ancient cultures.

1 Sacred Stones March 2012 Crystal of the Month: Amber By Larry Bassett Background: Amber is an amazing crystal and a sacred gemstone in all ancient cultures. For tens of thousands of years, amber intrigued and fascinated people. Amber is the magical crystal from ancient times. The English words electron and electricity are derived from the Greek word for amber, elektron. There is more mythology, folklore, and incredible stories about amber from around the world than any other crystal. Amber was known as northern gold. Amber is defined by many to be a hard yellowish to brownish translucent fossil resin (tree sap from extinct flora and trees) that takes a fine polish. Amber is believed to be a fossilized, mineralized, plant resin from conifer trees such as pine, larch, cedar, etc. New evidence suggests that amber is also from the sap of non-conifer trees, exuded by damage or the result of radical climate change. Amber from the Dominican Republic and Mexico was formed from hardwood trees. Whatever the origin, there are over 200 known plant inclusions and a plethora of insect and animal remains found in amber. Amber is estimated to be between 2 to 320 million years old. Many say true amber has to be at least 20 million years old. This is somewhat ironic because there is no reliable way to date amber. The only way to determine the age of amber is by determining the age of the surrounding materials. The colors of amber can be blue/green (from iron oxide deposits), almost black (from coal), cranberry red (called Tibetan, thought to be from cherry and other red trees), white (from bone) and mostly it is a dark brown, orange, yellow hue. The majority (90%) and the finest amber is found in the Baltic regions of Poland and Russia. High quality amber is also found in the Dominican Republic, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Mexico, France, Spain, Germany, Romania, USA, Canada, and many other places around the world. Amber floats in salt water and has washed up on coasts around the world. Some believe immersion in salt water is a key factor in creating amber. In South America we find the amber equivalent called copal. Is there a difference between copal and amber? There are differences only if copal is less than 2 million years old. Young 1

2 copal is softer and will soften when exposed to acetone solvent while amber is impervious to acetone. On a grinding wheel amber can be shaped and young copal will melt and fuse. Many believe most copal is still in the amberization process. The reason is, if copal is over 20 million years old, it is virtually impossible to distinguish it from Baltic amber. Like every stone, amber has scientific controversy, man made enhancements, and synthetic fakes. The two spheres pictured are enhanced. The larger sphere is heated amber dust and pieces. The smaller sphere was heated to remove the bubbles and when it cooled too quickly it gets round thin starbursts or the sun spangle phenomenon. When you see the starbursts, it has been heated and it is enhanced. Untreated amber and copal usually have one or more of the following, bubbles, inclusions, imperfections, swirls or insects. The two smaller pieces pictured at the lower right are natural copal. The largest piece at the top right is natural Colombian amber and the smaller piece to the right of the small sphere is natural amber from Poland. The oval piece to the left of the copal contains numerous insects. Are there mosquitoes in amber? There is only one known piece with a mosquito from the dinosaur age (75 millions years ago). There are about twenty four known mosquitoes in amber and these are usually in museums. There are a number of insects that look like mosquitoes. If someone is selling you amber with a mosquito and unless the price is in the thousands, it is a mosquito look alike. How can you tell the difference between natural and synthetic amber? Put an organic solvent on it, if it is real, the solvent will have no effect. If it is synthetic, the plastic resin will be affected and the solvent will dissolve it. If you burn amber it produces a pleasant aroma. If you burn plastic, it is toxic and it smells terrible. One trick the fakers use is to coat plastic with a layer of amber. Serious buyers will test it with a red hot pin and push it deep into the specimen to see if it has a plastic smell. Buyer beware, enhancements and fakes abound because amber and copal are somewhat expensive. Why I Love This Stone: I love amber because of the incredible healing and nurturing energy. Everyone who holds, wears, or works with amber loves it. It is one of few the stones everyone loves when they first touch it. You can feel the life force of amber. Everyone who holds amber for the first time exclaim on how light it is. Then they comment on the smooth texture. The energy they feel is loving, healing, and nurturing. Everything feels right when you hold amber. It induces a spiritual state of consciousness. It is easy to see why amber was used as rosary beads and shaped into many other religious items. It is no surprise the ancient cultures carried and loved amber as a sacred crystal. It is in the mythology and ancient belief systems as the sun and other deities. There is a fascination about the energy and electrical properties of amber that words 2

3 are unable to express. It is as if you can feel the living history of the world when you hold amber. Amber is an amazing crystal. Composition: Amber has a varied chemical formula that is often C 12 H 20 O. The molecular weight is grams. The molecular breakdown is roughly 75% carbon, 16% hydrogen, and 9% oxygen. The hydrogen and oxygen are often in the form of water. There are always other trace mineral inclusions, like sulfur, which is often found in amber. The ratio of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and trace minerals varies considerably in amber. Amber also contains a succinic acid. The chemical formula for succinic is C 4 H 6 O 4. The amount of succinic acid determines the quality of amber. Baltic amber is said to contain the most succinic acid. It is also called amber acid or butanedioic acid. Physical Properties: Amber has a hardness of 2 to 2.5 on the Mohs scale. It has a specific gravity of 1.1. Amber has no cleavage and it will streak white if you scratch it. Burning amber produces a pleasing aromatic odor. It is impervious to common organic solvents. Amber is amorphous, which means it is only amber, no other crystals are found in it. There is no cleavage and amber is transparent. It is brittle and it fractures easily. It is conchoidal, which means the break has a smooth curved surface like calcite or flint. Amber will float in normal sea water and sink in a supersaturated salt water, unlike plastics, synthetic resins and glass which will float in the supersaturated salt water. Amber has the property of fluorescence so when it is viewed under fluorescent or another type called reflected light, it will show green and blue colors. Naturally green and blue amber is found only in the Dominican Republic. It is believed the cause of the color of these blue and green gems is from the fluorescence of ultraviolet and violet light from natural sunlight. Amber is the magical stone because when you rub it with a silk cloth, it holds an electric charge to attract or repel small items, as well as create a spark. Glass will be positively charged and synthetic plastics will have a negative charge. Amber oxidizes over time and it will become opaque and brittle. It will eventually crumble. The succinic acid was used by many to cure their ills. We know it stimulates neural system recovery and boosts the immune system. It is also said to boost awareness. Experiences: We distribute two pieces of amber to each student to hold. They get to feel and experience the weight, texture and energy of amber. Everyone is surprised at how little amber weighs. They hold it, look into the amber and often gently stroke each piece. Then we have them close their eyes and see if they can feel the energy. Many are unable to feel energy the first day, yet it is amazing to watch each student change before our eyes. They relax as the body posture changes, smiles appear, and even their consciousness shifts. They tell us how amber is so light, soothing, and how 3

4 they feel refreshed. We have experienced or heard of a number of metaphysical effects. Amber's electric or magnetic like qualities attracts the unseen spiritual forces needed to comfort and assist those in need. Some used amber to help them find their soul mate. It changes some who only give, so they are able to receive. We see how the student's confidence, guidance, and intuition increases. It promotes a greater awareness of your inner spiritual self. It creates a strength and harmony which helps one to overcome life s challenges. It helps families to heal and bond. It may facilitate deep emotional releases as it removes grief and sorrow. It facilitates healing on all levels. We find amber to be a very spiritual healer. We use a Young Living essential oil called copaiba (copal). It is an oleoresin and it is steam distilled from resinous trees in Brazil. Many believe these are some of the same trees that created copal. The oleoresin has traditionally been used for internal and external inflammation, skin disorders, respiratory issues like bronchitis and sinusitis, urinary tract issues of the bladder, kidney and cystitis, incontinence, insect bites, pain, pleurisy, sore throat, stomach ulcers, syphilis, tetanus, tonsillitis, tuberculosis and tumors. These traditional oleoresin uses have been verified by modern research. The essential oil aroma is subtle and to me it smells somewhat like copal. How cool is this? Recommended Uses: Amber is beneficial anywhere it is placed. Since all crystals work better in pairs, we tell the students to either have their client hold a piece in each hand or if they place amber on the body, we suggest they put a second piece on the corresponding body part. We always use a minimum of two pieces of amber or other crystals in bodywork. The harness of amber is only 2 to 2.5 so it is quite fragile. Because is very light, it often moves when placed upon the body. People forget it is there and we have had more than one piece fall to the floor. Amber and copal will break if they fall on a hard floor. Essential Oils: Essential oils are powerful, many require dilution, some are photosensitive, and there are possible dangerous contraindications. A listing of safety issues possible contraindications can be found at our web site: The properties of amber to balance, calm, cleanse, energize, heal, and tonify work well with the essential oils of: Angelica, anise, basil, bergamot, birch, cajeput, caraway, cardamon, carrot, cedar (all) cedarwood, celery seed, chamomile (all), cinnamon bark, cistus, citronella, clary sage, clove, copaiba, coriander, cumin, cypress (all), davana, dill, dorado azul, elemi, eucalyptus (all), fennel, fir (all), frankincense, galbanum, geranium, ginger, goldenrod, grapefruit, helichrysum, hyssop, jasmine, juniper, laurel, lavender, lavendin, ledum, lemon, lemongrass, lime, limette, mandarin, manuka, marjoram, melaleuca (all), melissa, mountain savory, mugwort, myrrh, myrtle (all), neroli, 4

5 nutmeg, ocotea, onycha, orange, oregano, palmarosa, palo santo, patchouli, pepper (all), peppermint, petitgrain, pine (all), ravensara, rose, rosehip, rosemary (all), rosewood, sage (all), sandalwood, spearmint, spikenard, spruce (all), tamanu, tangerine, tansy (all), tarragon, thyme (all), tsuga, valerian, vetiver, vitex, white lotus, yarrow, and Ylang ylang Meditations: Kathy began with the large amber piece pictured. She held it in her hands and she immediately felt the energy in her feet. She wore a purple cashmere shawl over her head and shoulders to keep warm. She felt the energy begin to swirl at the top of her crown. She found the shawl was interfering with the energy so she removed it. (Wool and silk insulate and contain the energy of the body making it perfect to meditate on because it prevents other energy from reaching the body). When she removed the shawl, the energy went through her crown chakra and created intertwining circles of energy. They moved away from the right side of her head and dissipated as they gradually circled away. Kathy thought the words my beloved mighty I AM presence and immediately there was a circulation of energy that went from her heart, forward in downward circles that curved up and back around into her crown. This energy like the previous, gradually circled away from her body. Then she felt the amber energy at her knees. Later she held the amber to her 3 rd eye. She saw the Latin world libri which means book and saw an book open. She heard this was the book of knowledge. She felt the presence of many souls around us. They make their presence known, for those unable to see, in numerous ways such a banging or creaking noises. She later held the amber to her lips and there was a connection between her lips and the esophagus. She saw the angle between her lips, amber and esophagus was important. Lastly with the amber resting in her lap, she felt the energy in her upper thighs. The legs were feeling energy electrifying and balancing her body. She felt her etheric body adjust in the area of her legs. I began with a piece of copal from Colombia in one hand and amber from Poland in the other, I wondered whether copal would have a different energy than Baltic amber. I was surprised the energy was the same. The energy moved from my hands, up my arms, and around my body to areas in need of adjustment. Then I felt what was like a heartbeat, only it was waves of energy, directed by the amber. The first waves were from my brain, down my spine. This went on for maybe 5 minutes. Then it switched, the waves of energy went from the base of my spine to my brain for maybe another 5 minutes. Then I felt waves of energy enter through my crown chakra and fill my body for perhaps another 5 minutes. Then the waves went from my brain to my heart and simultaneously from the base of my spine to my heart. Maybe another 5 minutes passed with this series of energetic waves. Then it went from my feet, up my legs to my heart and when the energy reached about half way up my thigh, it also went from my 5

6 hands to the heart. The waves of energy reached my heart at the same time. Then I felt my right shoulder/collar bone adjust. I experienced pain in my right shoulder from the numerous times I carried a heavy backpack filled with crystals, for great distances, at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show. The collar bone felt like it moved back into place and the shoulder adjusted as well. The discomfort vanished. I saw that I was filled with the violet flame which was removing discord and other human creations. Then the energy which had moved from various areas, now began from the amber and went through my heart. I radiated the energy of amber, a beacon of golden amber light, pulsing like a heartbeat. I was one with the loving energy of amber. The energy pulsed throughout my body and into creation. It was an amazing experience. We were blessed with the presence of members of our spiritual family from out of town. They also meditated with amber. One of our friends had a normal meditation and he felt only coolness from the large piece of amber. Our other friend felt the amber disappear from her hands. Her meditation involves chanting and her chant got her extremely intoxicated in the love of creation. Kathy began her second meditation with three pieces of amber. She put the Baltic piece on her throat and Kathy heard this was a bridge. She intended to hold a piece in each hand and the small piece disappeared so she held the other piece in her left hand. Her spiritual mother, Fran, came into the room with our dearly departed friend, Crecia. Crecia stood at her head and worked on her brain and cranial structure. Fran stood at her feet and worked on other aspects. Kathy felt deep emotions as her departed loved ones were working on various aspects of her body and being. I began the second meditation with the large piece of amber. I found it was too large and distracting, so I switched to two small pieces filled with insects. When others are in the room, it takes a bit to get centered. I immediately felt the energy in my hands. Soon a large wave of energy entered my crown and slowly filled my body and each cell tingled. Another wave of the same intensity again entered my crown and slowly filled my body. Then I began to chant my Tibetan practice of The Noble Light. I found myself radiating light with the unconditional love and gentleness of amber. When I finished my practice I found my hands were swollen, sweating, and the amber in each hand was intensely hot. The swollen hands were another new experience. Miscellaneous: Amber is the astrological sign of Aquarius and Leo. Amber was used in ancient times as an antibacterial remedy. Amber vibrates to the number 3. Amber oxidizes. Unless you want it to darken and eventually crumble to powder, keep it out of direct sunlight and high heat. Unless you take this precaution, it will first bubble on the surface. If this happens remove it to a 6

7 cool, darker area and you can sand it with a very fine grit sandpaper in water or you can coat it in a good oil, like jojoba, and see what happens. With one piece we coated seemed to absorb the oil and fill the bubbles disappeared. Amber, diamond, and jet are the only gemstones that have a vegetative origin. Diamond is derived from coal and jet is wood that was submerged in the mud of salt water and lignified into a rare type of coal. DNA found in amber is degraded and little is intact. It is impossible to clone anything from the DNA fragments found in amber. Amber from the Dominican Republic and the Baltic region are so similar it is impossible to distinguish one from the other. Determining the age and origin of amber is subjective, rather than a precise science. Amber is considered to be one of the oldest commercial commodities in the form of pendants found from the Paleolithic era dating from 12,000 BCE. Moldavite is the oldest known commercial crystal commodity. The reddish tints in amber is believed to be from plum and cherry trees. The largest piece of amber found is over 150 pounds. Amber is an etheric cleanser in the Spiritual Apothecary. Amber is often heated, dyed, amber coated plastic resin or just plastic sold as amber. Buyer beware. Amber mythology and folklore is bountiful. Amber was associated with healing, abundance, good harvests, wealth, protection, the sun, etc. Amber was also worshiped by cultures in ancient times. Amber was made into rosary beads in the 16 th and 17 th centuries and highly regarded as spiritual tools. Amber was also made into chalices, chandeliers, and religious sculptures. Amber is said to heal many aspects of the body. It strengthens the tissues of the brain and nervous system. It absorbs negative energy and purifies the etheric bodies. It grounds and centers as it detoxifies the body. It is often used to remove and heal all forms of trauma. Amber facilitates family bonding. Amber is still burned as a fumigant or an incense to purify an area of negative energy. This has been done since ancient times. Disclaimer: The information in this paper regarding the physical and metaphysical properties of crystals is intuitively derived. It is in no way intended to diagnose or treat any form of medical, physical, emotional, mental, psychological, spiritual or other issues. Readers are advised to view this material as speculative in nature. We recommend you determine through personal experience the power of crystals. 7

Sacred Stones. October 2011 Crystal of the Month: Citrine. Larry Bassett

Sacred Stones. October 2011 Crystal of the Month: Citrine. Larry Bassett Sacred Stones October 2011 Crystal of the Month: Citrine By Larry Bassett Background: Citrine is the second most well known variety of quartz after amethyst. It is another sacred stone because it was said