Ä [41] PODS Crystals, Gem, Gematra (93:9300/0) LAPIDAR Ä From : Tandika Star 93:9600/5 Mo

Ä [41] PODS Crystals, Gem, Gematra (93:9300/0) ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ LAPIDAR Ä
 From : Tandika Star                        93:9600/5       Mon 15 Mar 93 21:08 
 Subj : Amber                                                                   
ÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄÄ
AMBER

SCIENTIFIC INFORMATION: Amber is not a true stone. It is fossilized resin of
coniferous trees of the Oligoncene geological epoch, some thirty million years
ago. It varies in color from pale yellow to dark brown, although some specimens
have been found that are red. Amber is famous for containing insects and small
animals of various kinds as well as leaves, bark and other contemporary detritus
which became stuck and enclosed in the resin while it was still liquid. It is
sometimes also called succinite. Amber is a very soft stone, with a hardness of
2 to 2-1/2.

ENVIRONMENT: The trees that exuded the resin for Baltic amber grew in what is
now central and south-eastern Sweden. From there, it was carried by rivers and
the sea to the present site.

OCCURENCE: The most prolific source of amber is the Baltic seacoast to the north
and west of a town now known a Kaliningrad in the USSR. Small deposits have been
found in the Dominican Republic.

NAME: The name is derive from the Arabic. Succinite is from the Latin [succus],
meaning "juice". The ancient Greeks called it [elektron].

LEGEND and LORE: The ancient Greeks were the first to record information about
amber's "electrical" properties. If it is rubbed with a piece of silk, it will
attract dust and ashes. Because of the inclusions of insects and small animals,
it was often thought to contain the essence of life.

MAGICAL PROPERTIES: Amber has always been associated with magic. It is a
favorite protective and enhancing stone of Wiccans and Shamans. It is a senusal,
(amber is warm to the touch,) magnetic stone that attracts love.

HEALING: In ancient times, amber was burned to clense the air, especially during
childbirth. It was also thought to improve eyesight by gazing into it.

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: Touching amber is soothing to the nerves. Stones of the
pale/bright yellow type are good "all-healers", since they represent the energy
of the Sun. I use them at the Solar Plexus, which is the center of Chi in the
body.

NOTES: Amber will float in a saturated salt solution (ten level teaspoonfuls of
salt in a tumbler of water). Plastic will not.

Ambergris, which is much used in perfumery, is totally different in appearance
and is not even distantly related to amber.

I discourage people from burning amber, although it will create a rather
pleasant odor. Amber, like all fossils/fossil fuels is NOT a renewable resource.

-------bibliography-------

1. Scientific, Environment, Occurance and Name are from (or paraphrased from)
"Gemstones" by E. H. Rutland.

2. Legends and Lore, Magical Properties are from "Cunningham's Encyclopedia of
Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic", by Scott Cunningham.

3. Some of the healing information may come from "Color and Crystals, A Journey
Through the Chakras" by Joy Gardner.

4. Personal Experience is from MY personal experience, journals and notebooks,
by  Tandika Star.

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