herb lesson 7 COPAL RESIN

The term "copal" was derived from "copalli," a Spanish word meaning incense, which is what copal is used for. Copal ranges in color from pale yellow, orange, red and white.

This resin comes from a family of trees known as Bursera. These are small trees that are related to both frankincense and myrrh. Copal producing trees can be found growing in all of the Americas and is a few million years younger than true amber, but the untrained eye has a hard time telling the difference. Copal is “young amber” & the vast majority is 50 years to 10,000 years old whereas, some amber is up to millions of years old. Columbian copal is usually about 250-10,000 yrs old. Some scientists claim the oldest copal is 33,000 years old from Misunani, Japan. Copal will eventually become Amber as it ages and has a very similar vibration.

It is considered sacred to many peoples of South and Central America, including the Mayans. Mass quantities of copal resin were burned atop the Aztec and Mayan pyramids.

Copal resin incense is burned year round in the churches of Mexico and has been used as an offering to the gods in Central America. Is best known for its use in Mexico in the homes during Day of the
Dead. The familiar scent of copal helps the souls find their way back during their annual visit
home. Maize(corn) is the food of the people, so copal is the food of the gods, they would even so far as to shape the copal into ears of maize.

Copal incense has a clean, light, woody scent similar to pine or turpentine, almost fruity or citrus at times. Some people say it is similar to a very light myrrh scent, or a combination of frankincense and lemon. It is great incense for clearing negative energies and making positive changes. An extremely positive and loving energy, copal can help one to feel more content and peaceful with life, but also can aid in making changes when life is not as wonderful as it could be. To use just sprinkle a few granules onto hot incense charcoal and add your intentions.

Gum copal resin incense is excellent for smudging. If the space is full of negativity, stagnation, or a loved one has been ill, copal can cleanse the space quickly and raise the vibrations at the same time. If one has been feeling stuck in present circumstances, copal can be a true aid in helping to move forward in a positive direction.

Copal unites the energizing force of the Sun with the grounding, transmutative properties of Earth. A powerful yet gentle healer and cleanser, copal draws out and transmutes negative energy of all kinds on all levels. Copal aids in physical self-healing, emotional healing of depression, and environmental clearing.

One of its most unique characteristics is that copal never needs "clearing." Copal opens and cleanses all of the chakras. Highly protective, copal also aids in the manifestation of ideas to reality. The life force trapped within copal promotes fertility, and its protective and environmental clearing properties make it a good stone to use to prepare a healing or birthing room.

Use copal with the solar plexus chakra to increase confidence, mental clarity, and creative self expression. Copal also links to the crown chakra, allowing awareness in during deep meditations.

Copal awakens psychic abilities and boosts the auric body. Copal can remove energy blocks and aligns the physical with the etheric bodies. It increases the awareness of each person's individuality while maintaining a strong connection to humanity as a whole.

Copal is associated with the signs Gemini, Leo and Sagittarius.