The Amazing Properties of Amber

The tears of gods. The heat of the sun. Proof of creatures and eons past. There are very few things in our world as multifaceted and intriguing as amber, the golden fossilized resin of pine trees. Because of its structure, which often contains living creatures as it hardens, and its yellow-orange color that seems to reflect the sun, amber has fascinated our Pagan ancestors for millennia.

Amber in history and lore

Amber has been with us since time immemorial. Some of the oldest pieces have been around for 30–90 million years, and recently, researchers discovered a piece of amber that was 320 million years old! Amber has been found all over the world, from what is now Europe to Asia and the Caribbean islands.

During the Stone Age and Neolithic times, our ancestors used amber as a gemstone in jewelry and a variety of ornaments—it’s one of the very first materials people used to adorn themselves. Because of amber’s ability to encase bits of other organisms like plants, insects, and fossils in it, it was used in healing and magick rituals to protect people from diseases and bad luck in battle. Amulets, pendants, and beads made from amber were very common among our Pagan ancestors as early as 8,000 BCE.

Amber can also bear a charge of static electricity, which made people believe it could “pull out” and attract energies, bringing good luck and protection from the evil eye. Interestingly enough, the word “electricity” comes from the ancient Greek word for amber, elektron. Many ancient cultures, from Greece to Syria, had already figured out that when you rub amber with wool, it becomes positively charged, and they believed the resin to carry a bit of the sun’s energy.

Amber’s connection to the sun and to the element of Fire, and its subsequent connection to heroism and passion, can be observed through the myths of many different cultures. In ancient Greece, the most popular myth about how amber came to be centered on Helios, the sun god whose son Phaethon wanted to ride his chariot in the sky to prove his lineage. When it became clear that Phaethon could not maintain control of the sun’s chariot and the world could be destroyed because of it, Zeus sent a lightning bolt to kill him. Phaethon fell into the sea, and his sisters, the Heliades, in their grief, turned into trees—whose tears, then, turned into amber.

A much later myth sees amber as the tears of Meleagrides, the sisters of hero Meleager who turned into birds after his death.

The connection to amber and tears can also be found in a medieval Lithuanian legend about the sea goddess Jūratė, who lived in an amber castle, and her fisherman lover Kastytis, who was killed by the thunder god. Jūratė cried tears of amber mourning him, and it was both her tears and the fragments of her castle being carried away by the sea that brought amber into the world as we know it. For the Vikings, amber was the tears of Freyja, who also wore an amber and gold necklace made by the dwarves. It’s interesting to note that for the Chinese, amber was what the souls of tigers became after they died.

The healing and magickal properties of amber

Amber is a tremendously powerful gemstone (although technically not a stone) that helps with healing and rejuvenation. On the physical side, amber can help with pain relief (particularly headaches and respiratory issues), boost immunity, and combat fatigue. It can help your body detox and raise your energy levels. There has been a long tradition of giving small children amber beads or necklaces to help with teething pains—but be aware that you should never leave toddlers unsupervised with them, as the beads can be a choking hazard.

On the mental and emotional side, amber absorbs negative energies and releases positive vibes, brightening your disposition. It can bring courage, bravery, and improve memory and decision-making. Amber literally soaks up a bad mood and gives you a sense of empowerment.

There are several different shades of amber, each with its own magickal properties:

Honey Amber
It brings clarity and knowledge, improves memory, and helps release old wounds.

Golden Amber
It brings self-love, emotional healing, and acceptance. Great for opening up your third chakra.

Red Amber
Awakens passion and promotes fertility.

Green Amber
Good for grounding and purifying. It also promotes spiritual growth and removes obstacles.

Black Amber
It’s a great protector against malevolent spirits and energies.

Blue Amber
This is the rarest form of amber and helps with healing of all kinds. It enhances intuition and psychic abilities and has calming and soothing properties.

How to Use Amber

Amber has been used in a variety of ways for millennia. On many occasions, our ancestors would even consume amber powder during healing or fertility rituals—but even though pure amber is not toxic and safe to digest, the fossils or impurities it can contain can be toxic to the human body. However, pure Baltic amber can be used as extract or powder for skin and beauty treatments—its properties are actually beneficial for people with sensitive skin.

The best ways to wield the magickal powers of amber are to:

Wear it close to the skin

Amber beads placed on the skin, particularly near pulse points, can help with healing and protection. It can also be used in meditation.

Adorn your home with it
Amber can help ground your home, bringing warmth, stability, and support. It is best placed in the center of a room or at the center of your house.

Carry it with you

Carrying amber with you can help you focus and boost your confidence, particularly in professional and academic settings.

Gift it

You already know that an amber bead or necklace would make a great symbolic gift for a child (to be used only under adult supervision). But amber can also be gifted to friends and loved ones who struggle with negative mindsets.