Featuring more stones, spells, group rituals, and meditations, The Second Book of Crystal Spells offers creative methods for advancing your magical practice to the next level. Building on techniques and information from The Book of Crystal Spells , Ember Grant presents this companion guide to help you work magic for protection, romance, divination, health, and more. This book also includes expanded appendices and correspondences, covering topics like crystal systems, planetary associations, chakra stones, and more. With an easy-to-follow format and in-depth knowledge on an expansive assortment of stones, this remarkable guide will make you a crystal magic expert.
I have always been a little bit suspicious of crystals and their magic, mainly because the people I heard talk about it seemed a little bit suspicious themselves. But I was fascinated nonetheless. What is it about these rocks that people find so fascinating, that inspires so much belief in them? Especially considering how expensive crystals can be. So when I saw 'The Second Book of Spells' I decided to request it and dig a little bit more into this topic.
Grant is a great writer and definitely made me more interested in crystals. I have also become a little bit less suspicious of the whole thing, since Grant, unlike some other authors on magical topics, didn't just stick to traditions or beliefs, but also included some science in her writing. I even found myself slightly tempted to try out crystal spells, if only the price tags on these pretty rocks didn't still scare me off. I also enjoyed the fact Grant included Salt in this book, something I had never thought of as a crystal but which I have read a lot about in other books about Wicca and magic. I'd definitely recommend this to people interested in crystals and crystal spells, I think it would make a great resource to them.
The first part of this book tells some really interesting things about salt in relation to crystals which I haven't come across before. I found this section very interesting and informative. Then the second chapter went into tarot card correspondences and I found this part much less helpful, suggesting several stones that might go with each card to the extent that the reader might as well make up their own system if they want to correlate crystals with cards at all.
This is followed by suggested spells, which are always subjective. Some interesting ideas for those who are looking for spells, which is after all what the book is about! The properties and spell suggestions for several kinds of crystals follow, especially different kinds of quartz and chalcedony. At some points I was made aware that I hadn't read the first book, which would be necessary to get complete information. While the rhymes for the spells were cringeworthy, the ideas themselves were solid and worth adapting.
One of the most interesting things the book talked about was making grids of gemstones, to enhance their power. It's an interesting idea and worth some experimentation. The book then goes on to suggest spells to use crystals for enhancing natural intuition. I liked that the appendices included a list of the stones dealt with in that book, including their crystal structures, as well as a glossary that covered both geological and new age terms. Overall it was interesting enough to make me curious about the first book in the series and to wonder if further books are planned.
Whenever I visit a metaphysical store, I leave with the impression that some people must need crystals the way the rest of us need food, water, and air. Otherwise, I just can't understand how they justify spending so much money on pretty paperweights. Saying that might make me sound like Scrooge, yet it also sums up the bias I had towards crystals before starting this book. In other words, I was interested, but price tags had broken my heart too many times.
Grant's chapter on salt showed me another way. Didn't think of salt as a crystal? Neither did I, despite the number of times I "grew it" as a child. I'm unlikely to forget again, however, as Grant wove both scientific and historical trivia seamlessly into her spell suggestions.
More importantly, I believe I could now go to the supermarket and choose from among the many colored salts available with confidence, based on what I've learned from Grant about both their physical makeup and magickal correspondences. Even better, I also know now which of the cheaper salts to substitute for the more expensive ones. With this knowledge, I can adapt any idea in the salt chapter so it fits my budget—and the chapter is so full of ideas!
I like to define myself as a "witchcrafter," meaning the majority of my spell work produces arts and crafts. At least in theory. In reality, it means that I'm obsessed with putting bits and bobbles in little glass bottles for weird and wonderful purposes. Thanks to Grant's salt chapter, I have plans for protection bottles, blessing bottles, even cursing bottles… and when I get bored with those, I can move on to making baths, washes, and perhaps edible salt mixes. I can't wait to get started.
All this said, poverty-stricken witches like me might find the rest of this book frustrating. There's no doubt about it: Grant writes fantastically and knows her stuff. After reading The Second Book of Crystal Spells, I feel like I know this stuff too. Nevertheless, this does nothing to change the fact that I still cannot afford to buy most of the stones described in the book. Many of the Pagans I know cannot afford to do so. We are not its target market.
As for the lucky wretches who have money…
…well, I hate you a little bit. But just a little. That doesn't mean I begrudge you pretty things. Buy pretty paperweights. Then buy this book so you can use the hell out of them. While the knowledge that The Second Book of Crystal Spells contains is purely theoretical for me, I understand what I can't afford so much better now! In the meantime, I'll be in my grocery aisle, counting pennies and grumbling.
Four stars.
I got this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The book is organized into the following sections.
One: The Salt of the Earth Two: Crystals and Tarot Three: Special Quartz Points Four: Special Rock and Mineral Formations Five: Quarts Crystal Point Grids Six: Chalcedony Group Seven: Sixth Sense: Stones for Enhancing Intuition Eight: Crystal Rituals and Spells for Sabbats and Esbats
This is a follow up to the author’s book The Book of Crystal Spells. I love the salt lamp purification ritual. I would never have thought of using the salt lamp as part of a ritual, but it makes so much sense. In the second section, she gives a description of each major arcana tarot card along with keywords, magical uses, and crystals associated with each card. She ends each entry with a question to ask yourself. For the minor arcana, she breaks them down by suits and court cards. She also provides meditations and spells to use with the tarot.
In section three, she discusses the different shapes of quartz points. There are meditations, chants, and spells associated to different forms and/or colors. Section four covers minerals based on their unique formations like opal and jade. In section five, the author goes into detail about planning and using crystal grids. Some of the minerals listed in section seven were new to me. In section eight, she provides complete rituals for the different seasons and phases of the moon.
The book is easy to read and understand. It is obvious the author has done research on crystals and loves working with them. If you enjoy working with crystals, I recommend this book. It is not as large or complete as other crystal books but the information is valuable.
[ I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank them for their generousity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]
"Crystals, like other magical tools, have the power that we give them. They are a tangible symbol of our intent, our goals , and our wishes. Be mindful of this and don’t forget about them. Pay attention."
As a person very familiar with alternative healing, Wiccan practice and Llewellyn Publishers, I was happy to see this book and overjoyed to be able to review it. However, books of this sort are extremely hard to review as they are more reference and review for practitioners over "how do I do this spell".
Starting with the most abundant crystal: salt, Grant moves to crystals with one, two and multiple points. She also touches on gemstones whether pointed or not. There are numerous definitions and "if you need this...use that" informational sections. The quote above is actually the opening of the final chapter. Anyone who works with crystals as a healer, a Wiccan, a Shaman, or even a jeweler knows how powerful Mother Earth is so why shouldn't her gifts charge the stones we use, and in turn, they should be cleansed and respected.
This book proves that Llewellyn Publishers continue their leadership in this field. I own many of their works, and am happy to add this to my library
I received this book free from NetGalley.com here is my honest review.
I am a very spiritual person and I am always looking for new crystals and stones to use in my daily life. I like that this book gave me all the info I needed and what crystals and stones to use for what ,the different ways I could use stones and crystals and even my tarot cards. There were things in this book I didn't even know you could use for different issues and different spells. I will be trying these out . If you are into witch craft or even just the magic aspect ,magick in general. I greatly recommend this book.
Anyone who has an interest in minerals and crystals in particular will find this publication a fascinating exploration into the rather more off-the-wall, or non-traditional aspects of the subject.
Clearly, this book does extend out and beyond the author’s first publication and although I have not read this earlier work I should imagine that the two works would compliment each other well.
This book was a delightful read. It’s range of material and the breadth of the author’s knowledge on the subject is such that it will be a valuable asset to any Wiccan or Pagan who uses minerals and crystals in their magickal work.