Copper is most likely the first metal used by humans. One of the few metals that occur in nature without needing extraction from an ore, it was used as a substitute for stone as early as 8000 BC.
From the Latin cyprium, “metal of Cyprus,” it was principally mined there in ancient times and became associated with Aphrodite because of its lustrous beauty and its ancient use in producing mirrors. Copper is a soft, malleable metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. For healers, it is the metal of the magician and can carry the energies of stones as easily as it carries electricity.
Copper is known for its beautiful reddish-brown color that oxidizes into a greenish patina. Copper salts impart blue or green colors to minerals like azurite, malachite, and turquoise. It is also known for its medicinal properties. Ancient Egyptians used copper for sterilizing wounds and drinking water, while in India, copper was used in Ayurveda for surgical instruments and other medical equipment. It is an essential dietary mineral for all living organisms. Copper is helpful for strengthening the respiratory and cardiovascular systems in humans as well.
Spiritually, copper is considered a conduit between Heaven and Earth. It is the metal of channeling energies and transforms the invisible to the visible. Copper encourages experimentation and invention and brings the energy of revolutionary ideas and unexpected serendipitous change.