Copal incense is completely natural incense that is used to purify the energy of spaces, places and objects. It has a clean, light, woody scent that could be compared to pine or turpentine
Turpentine
Turpentine is a fluid obtained by the distillation of resin from live trees, mainly pines. It is mainly used as a solvent and as a source of materials for organic synthesis.
What is copal and how do you burn it?
Like most resins, Copal is burned or smoldered as an incense during spellwork and/or rituals and needs to be burned on charcoal tablets or discs. Copal makes for an excellent smudge and is commonly used in sweat lodge ceremonial gatherings.
What is copal?
Copal is a resin from a tree that is indigenous to Mexico, Guatamala and elsewhere in Central America. It is particularly identified with the aromatic resins used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense. Copal is burned on a charcoal tablet, to enhance consecration, spell craft,...
What is copal incense used for?
Copal incense is completely natural incense that is used to purify the energy of spaces, places and objects. It has a clean, light, woody scent that could be compared to pine or turpentine. One of the best copal uses is burning it to clear away all the negative energy and make positive changes.
What is copal resin energy cleansing?
In fact, it is one of the oldest forms of energy cleansing. Large amounts of Copal resin were discovered in the burial grounds of the Mayan and Aztec ruins, proving its spiritual significance. Derived from trees in the Buresa family, Copal contains natural tree resin that is known to have powerful medicinal properties.
What is copal and why is it burned?
Copal is a resin from Buresa trees, typically found in Mexico, as well as Central and South America. The Mayan people have burned this resin for thousands of years for spiritual and health reasons.
What are the benefits of burning copal?
Copal: A traditional incenseIt is used as an analgesic, expectorant, antispasmodic, and disinfectant.Decreases stress and depression levels.Stimulates emotions and improves mood.Harmonizes and protects at different spiritual levels.Connect with the high vibrations.Increase personal energy.
Is copal psychoactive?
Mazatec shamans inhale large amounts of a blend of copal (resin from a Pinus species) and chili pods (Capsicum spp.) before they begin their divinations. This incense blend is said to have psychoactive effects (Jonathan Ott, pers.
What is copal cleansing?
“Copal is something sacred,” don Pablo went on to say, “It invokes rest and peace among spiritual beings. It cleanses darkened auras. Like an opaque metal that needs to be polished. Like gold when a person is wrong in their body, consciousness or aura, the gold they are wearing becomes opaque.
Is copal resin toxic?
Potential Acute Health Effects: Hazardous in case of ingestion. Slightly hazardous in case of skin contact (irritant), of eye contact (irritant), of inhalation.
What does copal smell like?
It's timeless fragrance can be described as clean, piney, and lemony. Some of the ancient species of Frankincense are extinct at this point, but today the finest product comes from Oman. Copal - Native to the Americas, Copal is a clean smelling, fast burning resin that comes in varieties of white, gold and black.
Does copal get you high?
Anecdotally, copal (when burned as incense), is thought to elicit mentally uplifting and calming effects.
Which incense is best for anxiety?
Sandalwood incense is the best incense for anxiety, healing emotional trauma, relaxing, restoring balance, and improving positive energy. The Eastern culture, to this day, uses sandalwood during religious rituals because of its ability to create a soothing environment to relax and meditate.
Why does incense make me feel high?
Incensole acetate, an incense component, elicits psychoactivity by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain.
Is frankincense the same as copal?
Copal is considered the Americas equivalent to Frankincense, used in many of the same ways, for the same reasons, to purify, protect and enhance spirituality. It has been in use for hundreds of years, traditionally used in Mexico and South America for purification rituals.
Is copal good for the skin?
Copal is known to stimulate blood circulation, and thus can improve your complexion. Copal is used medicinally in Guatemala to kill fungal outbreaks because it is an antibacterial. It is also an astringent, which works to tighten the skin, and is therefore great in face toners.
What tree does copal come from?
Protium copalCopal is a generic term rooted in the indigenous Nahuatl language of Aztecs which uses "copalli" to describe scented smoke. The most common source tree is Protium copal, a member of the Bursera family named for its resin that includes close relative Bursera microphylla, a native of Baja California.
Is frankincense the same as copal?
Copal is considered the Americas equivalent to Frankincense, used in many of the same ways, for the same reasons, to purify, protect and enhance spirituality. It has been in use for hundreds of years, traditionally used in Mexico and South America for purification rituals.
Is copal good for the skin?
Copal is known to stimulate blood circulation, and thus can improve your complexion. Copal is used medicinally in Guatemala to kill fungal outbreaks because it is an antibacterial. It is also an astringent, which works to tighten the skin, and is therefore great in face toners.
How do you burn copal sticks?
Burning instructions: Use matches or a lighter and leave the flame at the end of the stick for about 5 seconds until the tip burns. Leave the flaming stick for another 5 seconds then blow it off. If necessary, repeat the first two steps once or twice. Be very careful of burning copal resin.
What tree does copal come from?
Protium copalCopal is a generic term rooted in the indigenous Nahuatl language of Aztecs which uses "copalli" to describe scented smoke. The most common source tree is Protium copal, a member of the Bursera family named for its resin that includes close relative Bursera microphylla, a native of Baja California.
Where does the word "copal" come from?
The word copal is derived from the Nahuatl language word copalli, meaning "incense". Copal is still used by a number of indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America as an incense, during sweat lodge ceremonies and sacred mushroom ceremonies. It is available in different forms.
What is copal that is partly mineralized called?
Copal that is partly mineralized is known as copaline .
What is the name of the tree resin that is used to burn incense?
Copal. For other uses, see Copal (disambiguation). Copal is a name given to tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree Protium copal ( Burseraceae) used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense and for other purposes.
What is copal tree?
A sample of copal containing a few termites. Copal is a name given to tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree Protium copal ( Burseraceae) used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense and for other purposes. More generally, the term copal describes resinous substances in an intermediate ...
Which continent has the highest amount of subfossil copal?
East Africa apparently had a higher amount of subfossil copal, which is found one or two meters below living copal trees, from roots of trees that may have lived thousands of years earlier. This subfossil copal produces a harder varnish.
Is copal resin the same as white copal?
The hard, amber-like yellow copal is a less expensive version. The white copal, a hard, milky, sticky substance, is a more expensive version of the same resin. Copal resin from Hymenaea verrucosa ( Fabaceae) is found in East Africa and is used in incense. By the 18th century, Europeans found it to be a valuable ingredient in making ...
What is Copal used for?
Copal is used for new beginnings, clearing the old and bringing in the new order. It is associated with the Sun, which is masculine, and the element of fire. Use it to raise your vibration and bring in love.
What is Copal? And What is Copal Used For?
Copal describes a substance from the Buresa tree family, sacred trees used for clearing diseases and protection from mosquitoes usually found in Mexico, South America, and Central America. Typically Copal hardens somewhere between sap and hardened resin and burns with the aroma of clean pine and citrus.
What chakra is copal?
Copal is associated with the crown chakra and is used to cleanse and uplift the auric body and clear energy blockages. It also provides protection and is used for blessings. Allow this sacred smoke to raise your spirit and ease feelings of depression, anxiety, or stagnation. Use it during meditation. You could also use this smoke to cleanse crystals and areas at home or work or during sweat lodge ceremonies, as indigenous people still do. Some healers burn it to diagnose one’s energy field and be able to better see and cleanse blockages.
Is copal a medicine?
Traditionally, copal has be used medicinally. It is said it has successfully been used on the skin to combat infections and issues such as dermatitis, burns, and rashes. Some us it as an expectorant, thinning out mucus and aiding congestion and cough, and to ease muscular aches and pains and arthritis.
What book is the use of copal?
Historic references to copal use include the Mayan book the Popol Vuh, which includes a long passage describing how the sun, moon, and stars arrived on earth bringing copal with them. This document also makes it clear that the Maya collected distinct types of resin from different plants; Sahagun has also written that Aztec copal also came from a variety of plants.
What is copal incense?
K. Kris Hirst. Updated March 03, 2019. Copal is a smoky sweet incense derived from tree sap that was used by ancient North American Aztec and Maya cultures in a range of ritual ceremonies. The incense was made from the fresh sap of trees: copal sap is one of the numerous resinous oils which are harvested from the bark of certain trees ...
What is a copal plant?
Most often, American copals are resins from various members of the tropical Burseraceae (torchwood) family. Other resin-bearing plants that are known or suspected of being American sources of copal include Hymenaea, a legume; Pinus (pines or pinyons); Jatropha (spurges); and Rhus (sumac).
How many pieces of copal were found at the templo mayor?
Archaeologist Naoli Lona (2012) examined 300 pieces of copal found at the Templo Mayor, including about 80 figurines. She discovered they had been made with an inner core of copal, which was then covered with a layer of stucco and formed by a double-sided mold.
How to get copal resin?
The favored type of copal is white copal (copal blanco or "the saint", "penca" or agave leaf copal), and it is obtained by making diagonal cuts through the bark into the trunk or branches of a tree. The milky sap flows along the channel of the cuts down the tree to a container (an agave or aloe leaf or a gourd) placed at the foot. The sap hardens in the shape of its container and brought to market without further processing. According to Hispanic records, this form of the resin was used as an Aztec tribute, and pochteca traders transported from the outlying subject provinces to Tenochtitlan. Every 80 days, so it was said, 8,000 packages of wild copal wrapped in maize leaves and 400 baskets of white copal in bars were brought into Tenochtitlan as part of a tribute payment.
How is copal shaped?
The gum is then placed into cold water to harden somewhat, then shaped into round, elongated pellets about the size of a cigar, or into disks about the size of a small coin. After it becomes hard and brittle, the copal is wrapped into corn shucks and either used or sold in the market.
How to get copal oro?
Copal oro (gold copal) is resin which is obtained by the complete removal of the bark of a tree , and copal negro (black copal) is said to be obtained from beating the bark.
How to burn copal?
Place the resin on an electric stove burner for a quick way to burn copal. Put down a piece of heavy-duty aluminum foil. You may even want to double up the foil. Turn the stove burner on to medium-high, and then set a piece of resin on the foil. Make sure to keep an eye on it the whole time it's burning.
Why do people burn copal?
Try burning copal for inflammation problems. Traditionally, people burned copal to help with inflammatory ailments, such as arthritis and even toothaches. While it still needs to be studied more, it does contain compounds that reduce inflammation in mice, so it may be helpful to you to burn it for this purpose.
How to make a copal resin incense stick?
Sometimes, copal is formed around a stick. In that case, light the bigger end. Set the smaller end in a bowl filled with sand or in an incense holder built for stick incense. Don't leave stick incense unattended.
How to make a sanding pan with copal resin?
Turn the stove burner to medium-high, and put the pan on top. Set a small amount of copal resin in the pan, and let it start burning. Leave it on until the copal burns out. You can always add more copal as needed.
What to do if copal is too hot?
If the copal is burning too hot for your liking, turn the burner down.
What discs are used to burn copal resin?
Charcoal discs make it easy to burn your copal resin.
What can you use to catch charcoal on fire?
You can also use a burner to catch the charcoal on fire.
Why do we burn copal incense?
You can light copal incense as an offering to this God and Goddess, if you feel connected to their energy.
Why is copal good for you?
Copal also helps to strengthen the auric body, removing all energy blockages. It is particularly useful in times of stress or even for alleviating feelings of depression, because it helps you to shift your mindset.
How to clean crystals with copal incense?
Using copal incense sticks is simple. Try one of these cleansing methods: To cleanse your healing crystal jewelry , hold the piece and allow it to fully submerge in the smoke. You may notice the jewelry moving in a circle or back and forth. Keep it in the. smoke until all movement stops.
Where does copal resin come from?
Copal resin comes from trees in the Buresa family, which is considered a medicinal tree to the Mayas in southern Mexico . These medicinal trees are traditionally used for clearing the body of diseases and also to keep mosquitos away. Since ancient times, Copal incense has been considered sacred to the people of Mexico, ...
What was burned on the pyramids?
Mass amounts of copal resin were burned atop the Aztec and Mayan pyramids as offerings to the gods and deities. In the Mayan ruins, copal was discovered in the burial grounds, proving its spiritual significance.
Why is copal burned?
In its native Guatemala, Copal is a holy incense burned when seeking divine favor. Saint statues and other sacred items are blessed by smoking them in Copal. Passing seed corn through the smoke from Copal that was dressed in sacrificial blood before being burned is said to increase its viability and productivity.
Why do we burn copal?
Copal also helps to strengthen the auric body, removing all energy blockages. It is particularly useful in times of stress or even for alleviating feelings of depression, because it helps you to shift your mindset. The burning of Copal is believed to call upon the God Tlaloc and the goddess Chalchiuhtlicue.
Why do people burn white copal?
It is said that the familiar scent of White Copal helps the souls find their way back during their annual visit home, which is why this resin often burned during spirit workings and Beltane and Samhain rituals. For purification, spirit and ancestral workings, White Copal also is used to induce concentration and mental clarity. A beautiful resin to bring about peace and happiness.
What is the purpose of copal in a church?
Many churches use this incense before their ceremonies. Copal, is a “holy incense,” and can be can used for consecration and anointing of pentacles, athames, wands, etc. by passing these objects through its smoke.
What is copal magick?
Copal Magick. Magical properties: Inspiration, Attraction, Invocation, Happiness, Celebration, Contact with astral planes and Exorcism. Burn for: Protection, Cleansing, Purification, To promote spirituality, To purify quartz crystals and other stones before use in magic. Copal is a resin from a tree that is indigenous to Mexico, ...
Where did the Copal incense come from?
Since ancient times, Copal incense has been considered sacred to the people of Mexico, as well as South and Central America. It goes as far back to the Mayan and Aztec cultures. Mass amounts of Copal resin were burned atop the Aztec and Mayan pyramids as offerings to the gods and deities.
How to grind copal?
Grind a lump of Copal into powder using a mortar and pestle , visualizing your desires coming true while you’re grinding. Then either burn the powder, or carry the powder with you inside a locket worn around your neck.
Using Copal
Copal is a name given to tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree Protium copal (Burseraceae) used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense and for other purposes. More generally, the term copal describes resinous substances in an intermediate stage of polymerization and hardening between "gummier" resins and amber. C…
A Variety of Species
Varieties of Copal
White, Gold, and Black Copals
Processing Methods
Sources