Though often thought of--and called--a gem or a stone, amber is technically fossilized pine tree resin. These days, it's most commonly found in the Baltic region.
Amber was used in worship and rituals during the Stone Age, as evidenced by artifacts found in parts of Europe. It was also very highly valued in most ancient civilizations; Homer mentioned a gift of amber jewelry in the Odyssey, and Emperor Nero was a notable connoisseur. It was commonly used in high-end rosary beads in the Middle Ages because of its glassy-smooth surface.
As this resin hardened during its formative stages, insects were often trapped inside. Most of these insects are 25-50 million years old (too young for housing dinosaur DNA, for those of you thinking along the lines of Jurassic Park; older amber exists but is uncommon).
Amber is closely tied to the sun (the Greeks called it “elektron,” or “sun-made"), possibly because of the Greek myth of Phaethon, son of Helios, the sun god. In the myth, Phaethon convinced Helios to allow him to control the chariot that pulls the sun around the earth for a single day. Phaethon accidentally drove dangerously close to the planet, damaging the surface with the sun's heat, and Zeus was forced to strike him dead. Phaethon's sister and mother grieved fiercely, and their tears, dried by the sun, turned to amber. Amber also holds an electrical charge and can attract small particles, perhaps another reason for its ‘elektron’ moniker.
With its ancient heritage and prominent role in myth and worship, and its value in the earliest economies, amber has been used for just about every magical purpose. It's considered invigorating and enlivening due in part to its containment of life in the form of ancient insects, plus it has the quality of massive solar energy. If your vigor is sapped, wear or carry amber with you. It is said to enhance/magnify the energy you put into any project as well, and should you desire anything, amber acts as an agent to help draw that thing to you. It's readily available as jewelry and as a loose stone, and whether worn or carried, lore says it protects the bearer from ill health. Amber incense is available as well, though it's very rare to find actual amber incense--this is mostly used for spells by purists--"amber" incense generally refers to a blend of scents, including vanilla, and doesn't include real amber.
Its purposes and uses are countless, and I've only scratched the surface here. It's a beautiful gem, and while it's not inexpensive, it's pretty easy to find. If you've never handled amber, I highly recommend viewing it up close and personal to get a feel for this lovely bit of history!
