Amber: Correspondences, Healing & Magickal Uses

Amber is the fossilized resin from pine-like trees that grew about 30 million years ago. Amber often carries impurities, including fossilized insects that were trapped in the resin before it hardened.

Amber is usually yellow, orange or brown. It is notably found in the Baltic region, and a rare blue amber is found in the Dominican Republic.

History and Folklore

The classical Greek name for amber is elektron (or electrum) which means “beaming sun”. According to lore, after Phaëton’s ill-fated chariot ride, his sisters wept so much that they turned into poplars and their tears became amber.

Pliny the Elder, quoting Nicias, describes amber as ” a liquid produced by the rays of the sun; and that these rays, at the moment of the sun’s setting, striking with the greatest force upon the surface of the soil, leave upon it an unctuous sweat, which is carried off by the tides of the Ocean, and thrown up upon the shores of Germany.

The Latin name for amber was succinum, from the word for “juice”. Pliny explains this saying: “Amber is produced from a marrow discharged by trees belonging to the pine genus, like gum from the cherry, and resin from the ordinary pine.” Indicating that the Romans were well aware of the origin of amber. Pliny had quite a bit to say about amber. Two chapters in his The Natural History book XXXVII were devoted to it.

A Lithuanian legend says that all the amber that is found in the Baltic Sea was once part of the palace of the Queen of the Sea Juratė who fell in love with a fisherman. 

Perkūnas destroyed her amber palace to punish her for indiscretion and the bits of rubble wash up on the shore even today. In another version, Perkūnas killed her lover, Kastytis and she mourns him to this day, her teardrops are amber.

Traditions

Amber, with its historic links to both the Earth and the sun, has traditionally been used as a good luck talisman and to provide protection from negative forces.

In healing, as well as the ability to absorb negative energy, amber is said to have powerful antibiotic properties.

According to folklore, amber is especially good for protecting children, with the stone typically strung around the child’s neck as beads – it was believed this would also alleviate teething pain.

Amber Correspondences

• Angel: Verchiel;
• Gods/Goddesses: Apollo, Amberella, Electra, Freya, The Heliades, Jurate, Oshun;
• Chakra: solar-plexus;
• Element: Fire;
• Astrological Sign: Leo, Aquarius;
• Planet: Sun;
• Sabbat: Lughnassadh, Lammas, Samhain; 
• Tree of Life Path: 18; 
• Tarot: Chariot, Death.

Healing and Magickal Uses

Body

Powerful chakra cleanser and healer. It absorbs negative energy and transmutes it into positive. It helps to improve short-term memory. Has anti-microbial effects. Strengthens the spine and speeds cell regeneration.

Mind

Amber is great for lifting the mood and providing a soothing vibe. It can clear mental fog, promote creativity and self-expression, and boost motivation.

Magick

Powerful protector. Good for fertility spells. Attracts good luck and success. Increases psychic abilities.

Care and Cleansing

Amber can be dissolved in oil (to make varnish) and will revert to liquid form (oil of amber) if heated above 392°F.

Amber should be cleansed after every health working and can be recharged in the sun at noon for a few minutes.

Simple Ways to Use Amber in Your Daily Practice

Amber is bright, sparky, and positive – it’s great for banishing a bad mood and dispelling pain of all kinds. Try the simple ideas below to incorporate the magick of amber into your everyday life.

Create a Soothing Amber Elixir

With its wonderful ability to transmute pain and restore vitality, amber is perfect for use in an elixir. Soak a piece of water in a small bowl of water for a few hours. Once this is done, you can apply the elixir to the body as required. Try applying to a joint that’s swollen through overdoing the morning jog, for example, or to the temples if you feel a tension headache brewing. 

Alternatively, pour your elixir into a spray bottle and use it as a room mist, to suffuse your spaces with amber’s upbeat energy.

Boosting Wellbeing

Combine amber with the ancient practice of feng shui to bring its vibrant energy into your home. Try placing amber in the center of your space, to bring a powerful sense of grounding and wellbeing. Or try using a larger piece as a paperweight in your office, to stay in touch with amber’s energy throughout the workday. And if there’s a draughty nook or a cold cranny in your home? Place amber here – it’ll energetically warm up the space.

Breathe In the Positive

Amber is excellent as an aid to releasing negativity. Try finding a quiet, peaceful space, and sit or lie comfortably, holding a piece of amber in the palm of your hand. Bring your focus to your breath, and the sensations you’re feeling in your body. If your mind wanders, acknowledge this without judgment, and bring your attention gently back to your breath.

Now concentrate on breathing in positive energy, and breathing out negative. Visualize golden light emanating from the amber and surrounding you, providing a protective, comforting shield.  If you find stress creeping up on you through the day, touch or hold this piece of amber, and repeat this breathing exercise until you feel calmer.

Chakra Healing

With its propensity to absorb negative energies, amber is highly effective at clearing chakra blockages. Try relaxing, and placing amber on the sacral chakra (located on the lower abdomen, just below the navel). This is a deeply soothing means of helping clear unhelpful negative thoughts and feelings, and breaking the unhealthy patterns these things often result in. Placing amber on this chakra will also ignite a deep sense of joy, and expedite the body’s natural healing processes.

An Amber Ritual to Provide Powerful Protection

Follow the steps below to create a crystal grid to harness amber’s ancient and powerful protective properties. As well as amber, you’ll also need a selection of other protective stones, such as black tourmaline, jet, smokey quartz, and obsidian.

1. Arrange your crystals in a circle (large enough for you to sit inside) with amber in the center.
   
2. In your mind, visualize a warm, golden light emanating from each of the crystals, infusing the space with a beautiful, protective energy.
   
3. Hold the amber in your hand and sit in the center of the circle, focusing on the protective energy of all the crystals in the grid.
   
4. Keep this piece of amber close at hand as you go through your day – have it in your purse, on your desk, and on your bedside table while you sleep.

Amber and the Zodiac

With amber’s bright, sunny energy, it’s no surprise that it’s closely connected to the Fire zodiac sign of Leo. Amber provides the Lion with the grounding energy necessary to take a minute to think before acting on their impulses. It also supports this sign’s sunny, optimistic outlook. 

Librans will also benefit from wearing or using amber. With their concern about how they appear to other people, amber can help The Scales trust their own instincts, and be guided by their own inner star. Amber’s grounding properties are also helpful to Gemini, who can succumb to ‘scattered’ thinking – amber can deliver the sense of harmony that The Twins need, but often struggle to find.

Crystal Combos

Energetic, bright peridot works beautifully with amber, amplifying its natural vibrancy and positive energy. Wearing or using amber with peridot will promote a mindset of gratitude, which, as well as creating a general sense of uplift, will supercharge your manifesting abilities.  Combine amber with sunstone to enhance relationships and aid better communication between you and your other half.

And if you need an injection of motivation and willpower to ground you and keep you focused on your goals? Then welcome the dream team of amber and tiger’s eye into your life. This pair will foster a sense of clear direction, and help you get up and dust yourself off when a challenge knocks you to the mat.

Amber: Absorber of Negativity and Bringer of Brightness

The wonderfully vibrant amber isn’t really a crystal at all – in fact, it’s fossilized tree resin. Amber’s deep connection with both Earth and Fire energies makes it a powerful tool for absorbing negativity and pain, thereby uplifting the mind and body.

Work with amber to gain clarity and boost vitality. Wearing it touching the skin can help balance the body, and promote natural healing. Simply spending some time with amber in meditation or quiet contemplation will cut through stress, lift the spirits, and nudge us to live our best lives every day.

Geophysical Properties of Amber