The Illustrated Crystallary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Magical Gems and Minerals

by Maia Toll

In the ancient world there were three medicine kingdoms: animal, vegetable, and mineral. Following her previous acclaimed volumes on animal (The Illustrated Bestiary) and vegetable (The Illustrated Herbiary), Maia Toll fulfills the call for mineral with The Illustrated Crystallary , exploring the mystical qualities of 36 fascinating crystals and minerals, including gold, silver, copper, amethyst, hematite, mica, smokey quartz, emerald, ruby, and more. Combining bits of ancient wisdom with her own insights, Toll explores the aspects and energy of each stone and, through rituals and reflections, the life guidance it might offer contemporary readers. Obsidian’s shiny surface and sharp edges reflect the shadowy corners of the self and serve as the tool for cutting them loose. The sky-like color of earthly turquoise provides balance between opposing forces. The stunning illustrations of Kate O’Hara magnify the symbolism of each crystal throughout the book, and are also featured on 36 oracle cards included in an envelope bound in the back of the book.

Also available: The Illustrated Herbiary Collectible Box Set and The Illustrated Bestiary Collectible Box Set.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Witchcraft, Magic, Reference, Occult, Crafts

168 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 1, 2020

About the author

Maia Toll is the award winning author of Letting Magic In, The Night School, and the Wild Wisdom Series (including The Illustrated Herbiary). After pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University of Michigan and a master’s at New York University, Maia apprenticed with a traditional healer in Ireland where she spent extensive time studying the growing cycles of plants, the alchemy of medicine making, and the psycho-spiritual aspects of healing. Maia maps new pathways for seeing our lives, inspiring those who encounter her work to live with more purpose, more intention, more meaning, and, maybe, even more magic. She is the co-owner of the retail store Herbiary, with locations in Philadelphia, PA and Asheville, NC where she lives with her partner, three ridiculously spoiled dogs, and her gorgeous rescue horse. You can find her online at maiatoll.com and writing on her Unkempt Substack at maiatoll.substack.com.

Reviews

[Amanda Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I pretty much refer to my life now as BMT and AMT (Before Maia Toll and After Maia Toll). I happened upon her book, The Illustrated Herbiary, while on a weekend trip and I happened to notice a shelf in their local bookstore labeled, "Beautiful Book Covers". By the time I got home, I had thoroughly researched everything I could about Maia and already had an order in for her other book, The Illustrated Beastiary. Ever since my life has never been the same.

Before being introduced to Maia's works and teachings, I just went through my day-to-day as is. Maia's book have taught me the importance of checking in with myself, stopping to appreciate my surroundings, and healthier ways of dealing with stress in my life. The Illustrated Crystallary is an excellent tool for self-care and continues with the valuable lessons that Maia has laid the groundwork for in her previous two books! After finishing going through every page, I spent the remainder of my weekend telling my friends they needed to pre-order this book!

I received a free e-ARC from NetGalley and Storey Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where to start, literally everything about this book is absolute perfection! From the illustration, to tips on how to work and connect to the crystals — i loved it!

As someone that is not a beginner to crystals I found this quite insightful, but if you're a beginner you might be confused because this doesn't really offer anything concrete about them. However, if your (like mine) primal focus is on working with the cards that came long with the book, I think you won't really mind this.

But if you're looking for a book about crystals, their healing properties and how to work with them, cleanse them, charge them, etc. this isn't a book for you.

I highly recommend it to people that love working with oracle cards though. They're super fun to use in readings or to use as a guidance or for meditation.

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an advanced reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

This is an absolutely beautiful book all the way through and contains some amazing information about crystals.
I have been searching for such a detailed and enjoyable book about crystals for ages and this book ticks all the boxes for me. This is a book I will definitely be buying as soon as i can get a paper copy of it.

[Charissa · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a kindle ebook the formatting has been majorly altered. The pictures are one thing but a lot of the text isn't quite right. This would be easier as a physical book. But it is disappointing that the ebook is so different to read.
From the information I did gather, this seems to be above my knowledge, or lack there of, of crystals. In my opinion it isn't a good beginners guide to them. It might be good for those who do have a basic knowledge of crystals.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my gosh Maia Toll’s books just get better and better. The illustrations are lush and gorgeous. The writing is the same as her other books, well researched and beautiful to read. The cards the book comes with will certainly be stunning. I can’t wait to get hands on a copy of this magical book. I received a free review copy from the publisher in exchange for my honest unedited feedback.

#read #reader #book #bookstagram #readersofinstagram #bookreview #greatreads #alwaysreading #reading #ilovebooks #currentreads #bookaddict #booknerd #bookish #bibliophile #goodreads #readerlife #booklife #readandreview #cozy

[Lora Milton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like Maia Toll's previous books, this one is plentifully illustrated with the most amazing full colour pictures!

It is a general primer about working with crystals and gives a little information about the most well known crystals. It's not a comprehensive book for a lapidarist, but a good introduction for someone who wants to work with crystals magically.

Some simple rituals are given and a paperback would make for an attractive addition to a Pagan bookshelf.

[The Shakti Witch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful offering from Maia Toll in the same series as the Illustrated Herbiary and Illustrated Beastiary. Again containing 36 gorgeous oracle cards and divination spread examples. This is not a Crystal encyclopaedia but more of how to work with crystal for self reflection. The Illustrated Crystallary is a beautifully illustrated and engaging read for those who love crystals and tarot.

*eARC provided by the publisher and Netgalley

[Eva Leppard · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with her past few books, this is a richly illustrated beautiful book that nourishes the soul. The kindle version is adequate, but to fully appreciate it Id advise getting your hands on a hard copy version.
The Illustrated Crystallary includes gorgeous illustrations (obviously!), history and lore around each stone and then self help and journalling suggestions that will help tap into the crystal itself, and your own connection with the world.
A beautiful addition to the collection.

[Witch-at-Heart · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very comprehensive book on crystals and I really enjoyed it. The illustrations are beautiful And enhance the information. I received this book from NetGalley for an honest review.

[Jillyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is absolutely gorgeous.

There are 36 crystals in this book. Each one has a beautiful illustration to represent it, as well as a description of what that crystal means or represents, its rating on the Mohs Hardness Scale, a self-reflection guide, and a ritual that utilizes that crystal. It's easy to read in one go, but because it describes individual crystals, it's also easy to set down, or to use as a reference guide.

Peppered throughout this book are little fun bits, such as quotes, questions to ponder as you reflect, and small stories of history and mythology. There's a good variety of types of stories, including Nordic, Renaissance, ancient Egypt, Rome, and more.

Some of the crystals that are described in this book include Azurite, Salt, Carnelian, and Larimar.

If you use crystals or practice magick, this is a beautiful book to have at your reference. Or, if you just are a fan of gorgeous mystic art, this book is worth looking through.

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review. Thank you!

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrated Crystallary is a lovely book with beautiful illustrations, I liked the feel and design of it but unfortunately the writing just wasn’t for me.

“You can always find your way home, turquoise assures. And she should know; she has travelled by caravan across the Silk Road and assorted royalty on the byways between life and death”

I know some people will definitely appreciate these words and the way this book is written, but I expected it to be more of a straight forward crystal dictionary as such.

I’ve given 2.5 stars because of the illustrations and layout.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jenn Marshall · Rating 4 out of 5]

The format this book follows is stone properties, rituals, then reflections. There are 36 stones included. Some of the properties are a bit vague, but the reflections are perfect. I love the connection between mantras and stone properties.

There are a lot of stones included, not just the traditional gems you see in books like this. The author also includes MOHS which is so important for caring for your stones.

My favorite part of this book are th ed illustrations. It makes the book a piece of art.

Creative Team
Author Maia Toll
Illustrations by Kate O'Hara

[Heather - Just Geeking By · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given a free copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. For my full review please visit my blog: https://geeking-by.net/review/the-ill...

As expected each crystal is depicted alongside stunning illustrations. Each of these is filled with symbolism which has been woven into the artwork. The result is a mixture of sublime and serene images that beautifully compliment the words on the pages. As I’d hoped The Illustrated Crystallary is the furthest thing from an encyclopedia then you’d expect. I’ve seen other reviews mention that this isn’t a book for beginners and honestly, I’d disagree; it depends on what you expect to get from this book. If you’re looking for a guide to crystals which explores what they are, what they do and how to use them then this is the wrong book. In that way it’s not an ideal book for a beginner looking to work with crystals, however, that’s because the book isn’t designed with that in mind.

In The Illustrated Crystallary, the crystals aren’t talked about factually; they are introduced to the reader as long lost friends. This level of personalisation distinguishes it from other books I’ve read and was reminiscent of self-help books, especially those on the topic of mindfulness. The messages within the pages of The Illustrated Crystallary is not one of the oversold self-help stereotypes, however. Rather Toll calls on a vast selection of resources, demonstrating brilliant research skills. From Victorian Britain to Taoism, Toll has lovingly put together this crystallary and it shows on each page. She has a way of bringing the information to life, of making it resonate and relatable to modern-day.

For once, crystals and minerals are not alien and mysterious lumps displayed in perfect photos with impersonal words smooshed together telling you how you can tap into their healing potential. Oh no, they’re old friends, reaching out through Toll to advise, reassure and encourage. They speak to us in whispers and anecdotes, reminding us of things we already know and tend to forget. They’ve been on longer journies than we have, Toll writes, have adorned kings and queens, and been forged in the earth. Emerald, for example, is described as a smoky cat who looks over her shoulder with “uncompromising eyes […] as she heads into the dark forest of yourself”. Each one has a message for us, and the way Toll brings these messages, and their stories to life aren’t hokey.

Each entry in the Crystallary follows a specific format; an introduction to the crystal/mineral, followed by a ritual and then a reflection. The rituals are grounded in spirituality rather than having any religious connotation. As a Pagan, I believe I noticed only one or two that felt specifically akin to Paganism. They reminded me more of mindfulness and meditation exercises, with a slight Pagan/Spiritual influence. The one thing I liked about this book was that there is absolutely no pressure to do any of the rituals or reflections. I got quite a lot out of the book just reading it and taking in the ideas and knowledge. The rituals themselves range from setting an intention for a day, carrying a crystal while you explore nature, practising gratitude, making a crystal elixir – as you can see it varies.

In comparison, the reflection section is much more passive and asks questions related to the messages that the crystals have for the reader. This section is designed to make you think, to make you look back over the information you’ve been given and as the title suggests ‘reflect’ upon it. Like the rest of The Illustrated Crystallary, I found the reflections to be insightful.

The Illustrated Crystallary is much more than just a book about crystals, and as I hoped, much more than just a book with pretty pictures. It’s a collection of resources all over the world, a melding of multiple cultures, spiritual philosophies, and historical facts collated to help guide the reader through whatever they need. That may be a dark time, trauma or just getting through one day at a time because that in itself is an accomplishment. The world is a dark and unnerving place right now, and books like The Illustrated Crystallary offer a new approach to looking at how we’re feeling. I appreciated the way Toll included information about stress, specifically about how our bodies are hardwired for fight-or-flight mode and how this affects our body. I previously learned about this on an NHS course about stress and it’s something that, in my opinion, needs to be more common knowledge.

So if you’re feeling a little lost right now The Illustrated Crystallary may be a unique and interesting way to think more mindfully and practice some self-reflection. I’m certainly going to give some of the rituals and reflections a try.

[Reece]

ARC from NetGalley

This book wasn't really what I had expected. It's really spiritual and poetic, but it doesn't really hold any useful information, for me at least. I was hoping for some folklore and maybe some pre-existing rituals or explanation of magical workings/spiritual teachings associated with stones, but this is more like the author is coming up with her own stuff with little information about the stones aside from a drawn picture and their hardness on the Mohs scale interspersed with her insights and what seems to be like guided meditation almost.

"This book blends learnings from modern science, mysticism, ancient lore, Taoist Stone Medicine (a branch of Traditional Chinese Medicine), and the songs of the stones themselves." I didn't actually find that to be true.

"Unlike plants and animals, minerals have no scientific nomenclature. So, in these pages, instead of a latin name under the stone's common name, you'll find the stone's hardness on the Mohs scale."

The first stone is Garden Quarts. The image shows clear quartz embedded with seashells and plants. I wondered to myself if this was a natural phenomenon. A simple google search came up with

"Lodolite is a kind of included quartz that has different color and type inclusions.

These inclusions often look like underwater scenes, landscapes, and gardens. Lodolite is also known as Inclusion Quartz, Lodelite, and Lodalite.

It’s sometimes called Scenic Quartz, Landscape Quartz, and Garden Quartz as well.

The inclusions on this stone usually consist of Chlorite, Feldspar, and other materials that give different colored inclusions.

These inclusions can be cream, orange, green, or red in color, and they have a healing vibration that’s also magnified by the clear quartz."

There is no mention of any of these other names in this book. It does briefly mention the inclusions, but mostly it is stuff like this: "Come in, Garden Quartz whispers. You are welcome here. So often we turn outward, seeking to understand the world around us, while neglecting the worlds that thrive within. Garden Quartz invites you to remember that each organ in your body is a constellation, each cell a star. Every emotion is a trailing vine ripe with flowers..."

I can't rate this book because I'm biased. It's just not what I wanted or expected, and I don't think I would rate it fairly.

[Ophelia Feyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review: The Illustrated Crystallary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Magical Gems and Minerals by Maia Toll. Illustrated by Kate O'Hara.
Genre: Spirituality
Publisher: Storey Publishing
Release Date: 1st September, 2020

If you are not already aware of this wonderful series by Maia Toll then you are seriously missing out. The Illustrated Crystallary is the third book in the Wild Wisdom series. First there was The Illustrated Herbiary which explored all things plants, flowers and herbs, then came the Bestiary which delved in to the animal kingdom. Now we unearth the magick of crystals, stones and minerals.

As soon as I heard about this release I had to read it.

The format of this book is the same as its predecessors. Featuring 36 crystals/stones with an enchanting write up of their physical traits and energetic properties. Toll writes as though each stone is whispering its secrets to you. Furthermore, there are rituals and reflections that compliment each of the featured crystals.

And, Oh! The Illustrations!

You can't mention this series of books and not talk about the amazingly beautiful and vibrant illustrations by Kate O'Hara. The images are what first drew me to The Illustrated Herbiary and I can't imagine these books without them. I feel drawn to the illustrations the same way I would a stone or crystal. This is what makes the book so magickal.

Not only is this an informative and useful resource but it also works as an oracle; with each of O'Hara's illustrations featured on a deck of cards included with the book.

As I already own The Illustrated Herbiary I know that this book will also be one that I love to take from my shelf and flip through. I always keep the 'Herbiary' on hand for reference when curating spells and rituals. I feel like the 'Crystallary' is going to be just as important to my practice.

I suppose what I'm saying is I love this series of books and I can't wait to add a physical copy of The Illustrated Crystallary to my bookshelf.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storey Publishing for allowing me to read and review an E-ARC of this book.

[Kay Porterfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the digital copy of Maia Toll’s The Illustrated Crystallary so much that when I was half-way through it, I took a break to order hardback copies of her two previous books – The Illustrated Bestiary and The Illustrated Herbiary. Together they make up the triad of books she’s termed Wild Wisdom.

I was first drawn to The Illustrated Crystallary by Kate O’Hara’s vivid illustrations that capture the energy of the crystals under discussion and are richly layered with the metaphors that Maia Toll uses to reveal the properties of the crystals. The myths she uses to share the properties of crystals with readers piqued my curiosity. A brief ritual for centering and focusing comes next in each entry followed by a question that could serve as a journal prompt. Then she invites readers to reflect on how the stone in question might mirror aspects of our psyches and our lives. Finally she poses another question to spark insight about how to apply what we’ve learned to remedy an issue or imbalance in our lives.

Three pages at the end of the book contain suggestions about how to work with the Crystallary Cards, which look to be reproductions of the O’Hara drawings that illustrate the book. Although the cards would add an element of synchronicity to the experience one has with The Illustrated Crystallary, the book stands as a complete work on its own.
If you are looking for a rock identification book or an encyclopedic list of crystals and their medicinal and metaphysical properties written by an author who provides step-by-step instructions, you will be disappointed. If you are intrigued by a gentle yet powerful call to deep inner work through connecting with nature at an energetic level, this is a book that will guide you on a journey to discover the hidden wisdom inside yourself.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you come across books with titles like this, it can usually go one of two ways: purely scientific OR a book about symbolism and using the subject of the book, with some science thrown in. In this case, it is the latter, and I appreciate that. If you have read The Illustrated Herbiary by Maia Toll, you will have an idea about what is in The Illustrated Crystallary. This isn't a book solely about the science of each crystal; it's about how to use them in your own world: "This book will introduce you to the stones' medicine so you can begin to recognize their harmonies for yourself...Use this book for inspiration and confirmation." Toll begins the book with an introduction to crystals and the science behind them, and then branches out into the more esoteric use of crystals. Rather than finding a pretty stone and setting it on a shelf, she asks the reader to find communion with the stone, to meditate on it, to include it in free writing, and bring it into your life. She then describes 36 crystals, minerals, and gems (she does give an explanation of the difference, which I appreciated!) with descriptions of each stone from the Mohs hardness scale to the usage of each stone, rituals you can complete with the stone, and exercises you can do if the stone speaks to you. This is all accompanied by the same gorgeous illustrations seen in her other books. I really enjoyed this book. I know a lot of people think using crystals are nonsense, and they do have a bad reputation, but if you're interested in learning about the structure of them, how to use them in your life, or you just enjoy beautiful illustrations, I highly recommend this book. I would suggest buying this as a physical book as the illustrations are not at their best on a phone in kindle format.
Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC.

[Jamie Bee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not Quite Sure…

Crystals, gems, and stones have fascinated me for almost as long as I can remember. I have quite a collection, purchased and gathered. So when I saw this book at one of my favorite book review sites, I had to choose it. However, I found myself somewhat disappointed by the book. As gemstones and crystals are so beautiful and complex, I was hoping for some actual photos of them. Instead, we see illustrations, some of them quite fanciful—I've never seen amber with all that cool stuff in it! The illustrations are vividly colored, but I really would have preferred some actual photos as well. This is not a technical book at all, so if you're hoping for that kind of information, the book will disappoint you. It even doesn't have what I would consider more metaphysical information about the stones, like what they mean, what they're supposed to help, or what chakras they're associated with, etc. This book appears to go along with a deck of Crystallary cards, which are depicted in the book. Thirty-six crystals are represented—I would have loved to have seen more. The organization appears random. For each crystal, you get a full-page illustration of the corresponding card, what this stone and card represent to the author, a brief ritual, and a page meant to promote reflection. Some rituals and reflections were interesting, but not all were what I would consider inspiring or would necessarily help you better connect to the stones' energy. Depending on your own personal work and study of crystals, you may or may not agree with what the author writes.

I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.

My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com

[Flocarine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Zum Inhalt
In the ancient world there were three medicine kingdoms: animal, vegetable, and mineral. Following her previous acclaimed volumes on animal (The Illustrated Bestiary) and vegetable (The Illustrated Herbiary), Maia Toll fulfills the call for mineral with The Illustrated Crystallary, exploring the mystical qualities of 36 fascinating crystals and minerals, including gold, silver, copper, amethyst, hematite, mica, smokey quartz, emerald, ruby, and more. Combining bits of ancient wisdom with her own insights, Toll explores the aspects and energy of each stone and, through rituals and reflections, the life guidance it might offer contemporary readers. Obsidian’s shiny surface and sharp edges reflect the shadowy corners of the self and serve as the tool for cutting them loose. The sky-like color of earthly turquoise provides balance between opposing forces. The stunning illustrations of Kate O’Hara magnify the symbolism of each crystal throughout the book, and are also featured on 36 oracle cards included in an envelope bound in the back of the book.

Also available: The Illustrated Herbiary Collectible Box Set and The Illustrated Bestiary Collectible Box Set.

My Opinion:
.. lots lots lots of information about crystals and minerals, if you are interested in! What I love the most, was how colorful and nicely designed this book is - I do like science books a bit more, but I would recommend to have a look in it, maybe you like it!

Note: 2 or A-

Thanks for letting me increase my knowledge of crystals with this ARC, the opinion is mine =)

[AquaMoon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another simply ✨gorgeous✨ offering by Maia Toll!

As I mentioned, I'm not much of a Green Witch by any stretch of the imagination (see review on The Illustrated Herbiary: Guidance and Rituals from 36 Bewitching Botanicals), but even then Ms. Toll's book on the topic inspired me to head out into the garden to sew the seeds of plants I will likely mostly kill before the Summer is over. Not intentionally kill, to be sure, but somehow nothing I plant ever does very well. Ok...with the sole exception of the Ditch Lilies, which grow in profusion anywhere and everywhere regardless of light, soil quality, or whether I remember to water them on the regular (oops).

I am, however, a Rock and Crystal person! Very much so! So The Illustrated Crystallary is pretty much my ideal sort of book. It's got all the pretty illuminated pages like the author's other books and comes with a deck of corresponding cards. Perfect for daily quick advice or random draw journal prompts.

I'm happy I discovered these books. They make a fun addition to my personal library.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of Maia Toll books and couldn't wait to jump into the third book in her "Illustrated" trilogy, The Illustrated Crystallary. The artwork in her books is beyond gorgeous and a feast for the eyes. The Illustrated Beastiary and the Illustrated Herbiary were previous books by Toll that I loved and she does not disappoint in her newest release as it, too, contains the beautiful artwork of Kate O’Hara. The crystals are introduced in a simple, easy to understand manner that reflects the spiritual qualities they carry. If you are looking for a miners guide or a crystal encyclopedia, this may not be the book for you. If you are instead looking for a mystical book that will deepen your connection to the earth, than this my be it, as it is filled with metaphors and myths that allow the reader to self reflect and come away with an understanding of crystals through poetic verse and exercises.

Many thanks for the eARC provided by Storey Publishing and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[bookwormnicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.
I love all the three books from Maia Toll, and the illustrations of Kate O’Hara are so beautiful in all three. This is a really nice crystal book with oracle cards, it goes a little bit deeper, spirituality level what i like, it mostly have those main crystals that people usually work with, and I especially like that they put the salt in it too. So i recommend this book if you need a beautifully illustrated crystal book with oracle cards that write more on a spiritual level, than about the crystal itself. To be honest i miss a little part at least where they mention the properties of the crystals, like what they used for, which chakras are they good for, etc. But i understand that this book is about the cards and what they mean and other interesting things which is nice! Overall i like this book and i recommend for crystal and oracle card lovers who likes to use a beautiful book with their readings!

[Elite Group · Rating 5 out of 5]

New information and exercises to heighten your connections to crystals.

I “fell” into crystals and their uses years ago. They’ve become not just a collection, but my “go-to” companions in times of stress. As a result, I’m always interested when I come across new books on the subject. The Illustrated Crystallary has opened new possibilities and ideas with suggestions on how to connect again with certain crystals.

What is most fascinating about this book is my special connections to each of the crystals Maia Toll uses in the exercises. All the stones mentioned are stones that I’ve always worked with primarily. When I find information like this, it makes me realise just how strong my intuition has been throughout my life and how I should be concentrating and using it to a greater degree.

Thank you, Maia Toll, for reiterating my love for crystals and the power that they have in my life.

Imbali

Elite Reviewing Group received a copy of the book to review.

[Mandy Bookstagram · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me a free digital Advanced Reading Copy (ARC e-book) of this title. I really enjoyed it! The Illustrated Crystallary by Maia Toll was a great read. I love books about healing crystals so I was very excited to jump into this book. I have been interested in healing crystals since I was a teen and I was very excited to add this book to my collection. I really related with the idea that crystals grow and change in the same way that humans do. I thought that good point that different crystals contain minerals that are used in the body as nutrients, but that is just one way that the book connected crystals to the body. I liked that the book provides different rituals to use to get the most out of each crystal, and I am excited to try out some of these techniques!

[Shannon Rochester · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for my digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

And honestly? This was my first book on crystals(as I am just now getting interested in them)and it wasn't quite what I was expecting. I thought it would be full of pictures of the crystals and what each one would be used for...and while there was some very interesting and useful information in this book, I was looking for more info, less ritual. I highlighted quite a bit, don't get me wrong, and I will come back to it again in the future but it wasn't quite the reference book I was hoping for. It's a very spiritual book with many great poems and sayings from many people and the illustrations are quite pretty. So in this case, I would say don't go by my review because there are many great reviews about it. It's more my fault for expecting something else. :)

[Jenna Deaton · Rating 3 out of 5]

* This review is based on an arc edition of the book.

This is a highly atypical book on crystals and thank goodness for that! Beautifully illustrated and full to the brim with self reflection exercises this book calls the reader to work slowly and thoughtfully with each stone.

Don’t let the light tone and colorful imagery fool you; the reflection work offered with each stone is psychologically powerful stuff This is a great read for the pagan or witch who loves stones and wants to incorporate them into the start of shadow work. .
* The author includes the mohs hardness scale number for each stone which is super enjoyable though I am not sure what to make of their assertions that harder stones are better for more stubborn conditions/energy.

[Yeling · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually haven’t really finished the book but this book is an ongoing process. I’m just pulling an oracle card almost every night to see what the universe wants to tell me at that moment, and more often than not it leads me to an interesting page filled with interesting facts about the particular crystal. I can’t remember all the facts, so when I pull the same card sometime later it feels like a nice refresher.

I love the information it has—of the actual physical properties, why it’s ‘worshipped’ or used in the olden days for a particular purpose, and the metaphysical properties that you get when you understand the physical parts.

Beautiful and informative. I’d definitely recommend to anyone who’d want to learn more about these gems!

[Bella and Bo Bookish Bits · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given the massive opportunity to review Maia Tolls new book The Illustrated Crystallary which is due to be released in June.
I already own The Illustrated Herbiary collectable box set and The Illustrated Bestiary and they are easily some of my favourite illustrations and oracle card guidance books so I couldn't wait to be able to review this one too!
Yet again it did not disappoint. The descriptions were unique, illustrations were as gorgeous as always and the activities are perfect. I cannot wait to purchase this when its released. I'm hoping for another collector's box set to add to my collection.

[Jazmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very unique crystal book. It provides deep insights into each of the gems it includes making it a great guide for the slightly more advanced crystal user, or anyone trying to work with each crystal individually in a specific way.

Along with each poetic, beautifully worded insight into each stone is a ritual & reflection with it. This book dives much deeper than the basic uses of each stone. The illustrations are interestingly gorgeous & unique. They really capture attention & have a lot of detail. I'd literally recommend it to anyone for the visuals alone. Overall, this book really gets you thinking & working

[Julie Angela Yu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traditional healing is occasionally a subject that I've been curious about. Of all forms of traditional healing, crystals and minerals were the most foreign to me. Which is why when my request for this book was approved, I got really excited. After all, this was my opportunity to learn more about crystals from a legit source. 

In this book, there are 36 gems and crystals covered. Each one is depicted by a beautiful yet also meaningful illustration. The crystals' conditions are then rated using the Mohs hardness scale, which is really the only major scientific fact provided here. With each entry also comes a specific ritual and reflection whose purpose is to help you connect with the energy of the stone. To be honest, I don't have enough patience for meditation, so I find these rituals of little use to me. On the other hand, I'm more open to the second method which is reflection; there were some questions here that I found to be really thought-provoking. Another thing that I did like was the poetic tone to the writing. It's the aspect that makes this book so beautiful, in addition to its inspiring artwork.

That being said, something still felt missing from these pages. Maybe it was the lack of scientific facts or the more practical ways in which I can apply this knowledge? I didn't have a good understanding of stones and crystals in the first place, so I was expecting a more thorough introduction to every single one of them. However, it's not really a big issue for me. In retrospect, I do understand that this is more of a spiritual guide than an educational one. So it only makes sense that this book would mostly talk about rituals and introspection.

All in all, The Illustrated Crystallary was a lovely and insightful read. It was a bit impractical but still a useful reference for me. I'm also still interested in reading its two companion books namely The Illustrated Bestiary and The Illustrated Herbiary, which are more my cup of tea since I'm a nature/animal lover at heart.

*Thanks to Netgalley and Storey Publishing for allowing me to review this book early.*

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