the hermit
02-08-2002, 18:08
One of the first books that I recommend if you're going to collect rocks and minerals is a field guide. Simon & Schuster, Peterson and the Audubon Society all publish excellent rock and mineral field guide books. These books have photos of and descriptions of most rock and mineral types. They are scientific based guides that will tell you what it's made of (including chemical composition), what it looks like, where it's found, how to test it, etc. Each has a different layout format so I'd suggest you look before you buy. All have excellent indexes whereby you can look up the item by name.
Here's a book for the skeptic (that’s me). “The Book of Sacred Stones: Fact and Fallacy in the Crystal World” by Barbara G. Walker. Walker definitely does NOT believe that rocks, crystals or minerals have any metaphysical properties. By default she actually gives you much info and lore about them as she ‘debunks’ them. It’s a great read no matter where you fall on the ‘uses’ of rocks.
For the magickal uses of rocks and crystals I would start with Scott Cunningham’s “Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic”, and D. J. Conway’s “Crystal Enchantments: A Complete Guide to Stones and Their Magical Properties”. I like both authors and their styles.
For healing Diane Stein’s “Healing with Gemstones and Crystals” is a good book, as is Sela Randazzo’s “Rock Medicine: Earth's Healing Stones from a to Z, a Guide to the Practical Use of Rocks, Crystals and Gemstones, Vol. 1”
For scrying I recommend Ted Andrews’ “Crystal Balls and Crystal Bowls: Tools for Ancient Scrying and Modern Seership”
For finding your own rocks I’ve already mentioned the “Gem Trails” series in another post. They’re available for many u.s. states.
Another interesting general guide series are the “Roadside Geology” books for many of the u.s. states. They explain the geology of the state or portion (Calif. has 2 volumes—north and south) and give you a roadside tour with maps that show you where you can see the various formations and rocks along the roadside. If this subject interests you and there’s one for your local, check it out.
You can find all of these through Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.
What’s your favorite book?
Here's a book for the skeptic (that’s me). “The Book of Sacred Stones: Fact and Fallacy in the Crystal World” by Barbara G. Walker. Walker definitely does NOT believe that rocks, crystals or minerals have any metaphysical properties. By default she actually gives you much info and lore about them as she ‘debunks’ them. It’s a great read no matter where you fall on the ‘uses’ of rocks.
For the magickal uses of rocks and crystals I would start with Scott Cunningham’s “Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic”, and D. J. Conway’s “Crystal Enchantments: A Complete Guide to Stones and Their Magical Properties”. I like both authors and their styles.
For healing Diane Stein’s “Healing with Gemstones and Crystals” is a good book, as is Sela Randazzo’s “Rock Medicine: Earth's Healing Stones from a to Z, a Guide to the Practical Use of Rocks, Crystals and Gemstones, Vol. 1”
For scrying I recommend Ted Andrews’ “Crystal Balls and Crystal Bowls: Tools for Ancient Scrying and Modern Seership”
For finding your own rocks I’ve already mentioned the “Gem Trails” series in another post. They’re available for many u.s. states.
Another interesting general guide series are the “Roadside Geology” books for many of the u.s. states. They explain the geology of the state or portion (Calif. has 2 volumes—north and south) and give you a roadside tour with maps that show you where you can see the various formations and rocks along the roadside. If this subject interests you and there’s one for your local, check it out.
You can find all of these through Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com.
What’s your favorite book?