EssentialguidetoCrystals5stars

By Margaret Ann Lembo
Llewellyn Publications, $22.99, 440 pages

If you are expecting a mineral identification handbook in The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones, you’ll be disappointed. Spiritual practitioner Margaret Ann Lembo’s book is a spiritual guide that focuses on new age and metaphysical, using crystals, minerals and stones. It’s a fascinating book, nicely organized, beautifully designed, well written and thorough, printed on heavy, glossy paper stock with trade paperback covers. The first thirty-nine pages cover everything using crystals minerals and stones in the spiritual sense, and how they affect the owner’s spiritual, mental, emotional and physical being. The author presents the seven chakras with nice descriptions and illustrations.

“Crystals, minerals, rocks metals and gemstones are tools from the earth that can be used to assist you in staying focused on your intentions to create and maintain positive change in your life.”

The rest of the book lists alphabetically a large number of crystals, minerals and stones, and how they are used in everyday life. A small but pretty photo illustrates each one, and a sidebar gives physical description, chakra, planet, number (from numerology), element, hardness on the Mohs scale and the astro sign. A more detailed description follows giving affirmation, physical, mental, emotional and physical uses and its divine guidance, ending with a brief chemical and scientific description. The six appendices provide further information and the book ends with glossary, suggested reading, references and an excellent index.

Reviewed by George Erdosh

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