Crystal Magic: Mineral Wisdom for Pagans & Wiccans

by Sandra Kynes

Strengthen your connection with the natural world as you learn to incorporate the power of crystals and gemstones into your magical practice. This comprehensive, full-color book is exquisitely designed to be both user-friendly and a gorgeous addition to your bookshelf. Inside, you'll find everything you need to effectively work with crystals, from the history, science, and magic of the mineral kingdom to an encyclopedic list of nearly 200 varieties of stones. Explore numerous ways to grow your knowledge and skills, including details on buying and preparing stones, magical associations by color, astrological influences, and how to spot fakes. Discover a new, powerful form of crystal grid and which stone is best for a specific goal. With more than 200 color photographs and convenient guides to correspondences, associated deities, and more, Crystal Magic will serve as a timeless, indispensable reference.

Genres: Witchcraft, Reference, Research, Religion

312 pages, Paperback

Published November 8, 2017

About the author

I describe myself as an explorer of myth and magic. My inquisitiveness has led me to investigate the roots of my beliefs and to integrate my spiritual path with everyday life. I like to develop creative ways to explore the world, which serves as the basis for my books. I have written nine books; numbers ten and eleven are in progress. In addition to writing, I am a yoga instructor and Reiki practitioner.

Reviews

[Lora Milton · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a Llewellyn book, definitely targeted at Pagans and Wiccans and about using crystals in magic to enhance magical ritual with the use of crystals.

Unlike a lot of books of this kind, it has a wealth of practical information that would be of interest to anyone interested in gemstones or any mineral that might be used in jewellery. There is some history of the use of gemstones in medicine as well as cosmetics and information about their constituents, followed by a science chapter that I found very interesting indeed. This included information about how crystals help to support life and how crystals are formed and reformed in nature. Also about crystal structures and non-mineral crystals like Amber, jet and petrified wood. The information about optical properties of stones was especially fascinating.

There are many pictures in black and white, but of such good resolution that they work in a book where color might have been expected.

Chapter 3 is about Selecting and Preparing Stones. This one hit my 'new age' meter and I questioned some of the advice, particularly about putting salt water on stones. For many that will do no harm, but opals, especially Ethiopian opals, would lose their color, at least for several weeks.

Chapter 4 on using crystals in magic, however, mostly impressed me. There was some good advice for charging crystals and color correspondences given that actually matched up with older information about associations. I liked the explanation of crystal grids, though I've heard of this idea before.

There were two things I thought needed a warning. One was that you should never stare directly at a candle flame during a divination as it can harm the eyes. I can see the method of watching the flame through a clear stone working okay if the stone was big enough, but I did feel some caution should have been given about keeping the flame completely behind the stone at all times.

The other thing was about using oils. Oil an opal and it will lose its color forever. Other than that, the part about herbs and oils was very interesting as was the mention of the significance of birthstones, though it seemed to skirt around some of the disagreement about which stones belong to each month.

Much of the book is a compendium of stones, giving information about more that a hundred varieties of minerals. It was strong on history and description, but didn't give hardness index.

Appendix A deals with magical properties of stones, while Appendix B lists associated deities. I'm not knowledgeable enough to judge the accuracy of either of these, but found the information interesting and the extensive bibliography suggests that the author did a lot of research.

Over all this was a very good book on the subject with its strengths being on history, science and thoroughness. I may well get a hard copy to keep on my reference shelf.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Coming out in October is a book called Crystal Magic by Sandra Kynes. I requested to read and review this book because I have become enchanted and love the look and feel of crystals. As long as I can remember I have always picked up rocks in my path, had rocks in my shoes, purse, hand or around my neck. I like the way they feel and the way I feel when I have them close at hand. It was not until many years later that I learned that there are actually meanings and it is believed that there are properties in these rocks and crystals which can aid in comfort and condition. I have read and reviewed crystal books in the past and always learn a little, I am fascinated each time I learn or pick up something new. I found while reading Crystal Magic, I felt like I was constantly learning something new about many of my favorite crystals and learning about ones I had not explored. This is a great book for reference and one I think would be handy to have on my shelf in print! I love books published by Llewellyn Publishers and am grateful for the opportunity to read and review them.

[Riley Mitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Did you know that red carnelian was used for centuries to ward off bubonic plague, that there are eight different colors of jade, or that pyrite can help serve as a magical lie detector? These are just a few of the vivid details shared by Sandra Kynes in this well-illustrated reference to all things crystal. Pagan practitioner and “explorer of history, myth, and magic” Kynes is the prolific author of thirteen books including Plant Magic and Llewellyn’s Complete Book of Correspondences, and this generously illustrated new compendium shines with descriptions of more than 100 types of minerals and gemstones.

Part One of the book features a brief discussion of the history, science, and techniques of working with crystals (including how to choose/prepare/charge a stone and spot a synthetic fake), while Part Two provides a comprehensive alphabetical listing of each crystal, how to identify it, the stone’s historical biography, its magical properties, and its spiritual/astrological associations. The volume concludes with appendices that summarize each mineral’s “magical correspondences” and associated deities, along with a glossary, and lengthy bibliography.

Kynes presents detailed scientific information in accessible language and explain why this material is important to a larger appreciation of how crystals may function as magical tools: “Knowing how crystals are formed helps us understand why their energy is so dynamic and powerful. Being familiar with crystal characteristics provides for more effective and personalized use.” This central narrative balance of history, description, and practice throughout the volume helps make it an important reference book that will appeal equally to novices and experts in the art of using stones in magic, rituals, and ceremonies. Time to seek out some ametrine and yellow jasper!

[The Starry Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must read for anyone who uses and or is interested in crystals- whether you are a lapidary or witch- you will find this book to be both grimoire and text book. Crystal Magic is one of the best books I have read about crystals. Most books on this topic simply name crystals and their properties but this book took it a step further. The first part of the book is about the History and Science of crystals which is absolutely needed if you are going to be working with them. It is fascinating learning about crystals and gemstones in antiquity whether it was in astrology, divination, or medicinal uses. Learning about crystals from a scientific perspective such as their mineral compositions, their crystalline structures, and their formations provides a wealth of information about crystals that help you understand their magical properties even more. This section was not overly scientific, so if you are not a sciencey person, you have nothing to fear about this part of this book. This was extremely useful as we can sometimes forget that at the end of the day, crystals come from the earth. Tips on how to spot fake stones was also very helpful as we want to ensure that we are not simply relying on the placebo effect and that we aren’t supporting fraudulent distributors. I thought the chapter on crystals grids that are based on the crystalline structures of the crystals to be ingenious as I have never come across information about that before. The Compendium of Stones was one of the best I have seen as it also included the history of stones as many books opt not to include that in their descriptions. Two reference guides are also included at the back of the book that list the magical correspondences for the crystals such as ruling deities and planets. Once again this was very helpful. Whether you are a beginner or more advanced crystal practitioner, this book creates a solid foundation in understanding crystals from their historical and geological perspectives. Understanding crystals, gems, and minerals history and compositions creates a deeper and richer appreciation for these marvelous rocks.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal Magic: Mineral Wisdom for Pagans & Wiccans (Paperback) by Sandra Kynes I have been interested in Crystals and stones for years. I have several books on crystals btu one can never have too many books or stop learning about something that interests them. This is without a doubt one of the most in depth books I have read on Crystals. It does more then show you a picture of the crystal and give you a 1 paragraph history and uses of the crystal. The book actually teaches you how to choose your crystals, how to care for them, and most importantly how to use them.
 
This is definitely not one of those books you read once and put away. This is a reference book and while using your crystals you will want to pull this book out again and again. The book is very well written in easy to understand terminology so everyone will benefit from this book whether you are a beginner or have been working with crystals for many years.
 
I received this book from the Author or Publisher via Netgalley.com to read and review.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

First let me thank NetGalley and Llewellyn for allowing me to read a copy of this in advance. A large portion of this title is the compendium of stones. The beginning of the book offers some insight to the history of crystals, the science behind them, how to select and prepare stones, as well as how crystals and magic work together. There are over 90 crystals features in the compendium as well as variations for stones within each category (such as blue calcite, clear calcite, green calcite, etc). Each stone has a key on how to pronounce it as well as photos for reference. At the end there is a list of magical correspondences, listed alphabetically by situation/circumstance, as well as a list of deity correspondences. The author also offers a mineralogical glossary for terms that we may not all be familiar with.

[Krista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Llewellyn for the chance to review the advance reader. While there are many books on crystals available I did enjoy this one and will be buying for my reference shelf. Most of the contents are an alphabetical listing of stones and I agree with the properties associated with the entries. I liked the historical section as well. It has nice photographs and good descriptions and pronunciations. I liked the zodiac and planetary associations and helpful appendices at the end (such as correspondences).

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! It provides so much history about crystals, gemstones, and minerals. Those terms are used interchangeably and the author says as much in the very beginning. Beautiful photographs are liberally used. The details provided for each and every type of crystal are thorough. It even discusses how they can form as well as cut, phenomenon, refraction, inner structure, etc.

Thank you to Sandra Keynes, NetGalley, and Llewelyn Publications for giving me the chance to read this story and share my honest thoughts and opinions with others.

[Tonia Rodriguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well written easy to follow book providing in depth information on the classifications and uses of crystals through out history and modern day for healing and energy workings. One to have in your personal collection.

[Dawn Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crystal Magic: Mineral wisdom for Pagans and Wiccans by Sandra Kynes

312 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd
Release Date: November 8, 2017

Nonfiction (Adult), Religion, Spirituality, Crystals, Magic

The book is divided into the following parts and chapters.

Part 1: History, Science and Working with Stones
Chapter 1: From Bling to Magic: A History of Crystals
Chapter 2: The Science of Crystals
Chapter 3: Selecting and Preparing Stones
Chapter 4: Crystals and Magic

Part 2: A Compendium of Stones

I like the fact the author did not include non-mineral gemstones since they are not crystals. She provides history on stones that goes back to ancient times and mentions in historical writings. The author also provides the different processes for cleansing and charging crystals. Chapter 4 includes crystal grids and divination. Part two provides images, descriptions, and uses for many crystals and stones. If you like working with stones and crystals, you will enjoy having this as a reference book.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good. The book is in full color throughout, and there are photographs of all the crystals discussed. Most entries includes a pronunciation guide for the name (just in case "chrysoprase" isn't in your everyday vocabulary). Kynes includes scientific facts about each crystal in addition to its magical uses: its internal structure and its luster. After all, maybe knowing that quartz has a trigonal inner structure will give you ideas on how to use it magically. There are appendices at the end for magical correspondences—all the crystals that are commonly used in prosperity spells, for instance—and a list of deities with their corresponding crystals.

The book is quite thorough, and all the photos make it lovely to look through. I thought the descriptions of the stones were interesting to read. The only drawback is that it's hard to glance through an entry to quickly see the pertinent information about that stone. A short chart for each crystal, listing things like astrological associations, main magical uses, etc., might have been useful.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perfect crystal guide!