Carnelian, in shades of scarlet, combines the energy of the pure red ray, and the exuberance and joy of the orange. It is the color of strength and vitality, both physical and spiritual. Scarlet crystals help overcome fear and improve self-reliance and are the crystals of victory, success, and skill. Ahsian, pp.] Robert Simmons & Naisha Ahsian, The Book of Stones (Berkley, CA: North Atlantic Books, 2007).

The books about crystals that are reviewed were chosen based on my personal preferences, and how usable they were to be across the board, both as a new learner and as a healer. As a travel crystal, greenish blue Aquamarine protects those who journey by sea, alleviating the fear of water, and guards those involved in any long-haul travel such as flying or driving long distances. It is a good stone for learning to swim. Selenite is the zodiac stone for those born under the sign of Taurus, April 20th - May 21st. Taureans have personality characteristics that are very comparable to those of a bull. Selenite is helpful to Taurus because it provides mental clarity. You don't know if the crystals you are using have been prayed over by occultists. Crystals do not absorb negative energies BUT if say if Stewart the Satanist got a hold of a crystal and cursed it, could it not be blessed through the power of Jesus Christ and worked with again?Altman, pp.] Jennifer Altman, Gem and Stone: Jewelry of Earth, Sea, and Sky. (San Francisco, Chronicle Books, 2012) The directory format enables you to find a known crystal instantly or to identify an unknown crystal. A review of this book and a number of other Judy Halls books can be found on the article about Crystal Books For Beginners.

For the American Indians, Jasper was known as a powerful amulet of protection for their shamanic rituals and against unseen hazards of the night. [Mella, 88][Melody, 344] One of the crystal books that may take some time to absorb as it has so much in-depth and unusual information on the minerals. The Book of StonesBrown Jasper ranges from deep chocolate brown, gold- to reddish-brown, to tan or ivory, and is characterized by artful banding, flow patterns and veining. It includes some specific formations such as Picture Jasper, Bruneau Jasper, and Bat Cave Jasper. Brown Jasper is connected to the Earth and encourages a deep ecological awareness. It brings stability and balance, and is particularly grounding as a worry stone, or for dissolving a sudden rush of fear, anger, or panic. It facilitates deep meditation and centering, and grants access to past lives for karmic healing.

Aquamarine is a stone of empowerment for men and women alike. It helps in the realization that not all power comes from force. There is also power in aligning with the yielding, resilient vitality of life, and in promoting truthful and compassionate communication. It lends women the courage to express their inner knowledge, enhances their intuitive abilities, and helps dispel the emotional numbness and difficulty men sometimes experience in communicating their feelings. Aquamarine is the zodiac stone for those born under the sign Scorpio, at the end of harvest, from October 23rd – November 21st. Urim and Thummim translate into Revelation and Truth. But most scholars agreed then that they were apart of the divine oracle. A step in the gradual development of divine communication....But prophecy overlapped the latter." Crystal Bible Volume 2 is also written by Judy Hall, and like the first volume, Volume 2 of the Crystal Bible is also one of my favorite crystal books. And as it were the form of the appearance of an awesome crystal extended above the heads of the beastsPlace any Jasper on the Base Chakra to stabilize and energize the physical body. Laying it over each chakra in turn, will cleanse, boost and realign the chakras and aura, balancing yin and yang energies as well as aligning the physical, emotional and mental bodies with the etheric realm. With Jasper’s diverse range of colors, it is marvelous for use in body layouts, and individual colors should be placed appropriately for specific chakra healing. [Hall III, 113][Hall, 155][Melody, 344-345] And over the heads of the living creatures there was the likeness of a firmament, like the colour of the terrible ice, stretched forth over their heads above. Guardian crystals can also protect your spirits during trying and difficult times. Selenite is also a Dreamholder, a particularly powerful talisman used in focusing your energy to hold onto your dreams. It overcomes life’s obstacles by providing tenacity, perseverance, and patience. There may be other books on crystals that I don't know about out there, and if so I would love to hear about them. Claude Lecouteux, A Lapidary of Sacred Stones (Rochester, VT: Inner Traditions, U.S. edition, 2012).

The Crystal Bible has become the world's favourite crystal reference guide, having sold over a million copies.Fernie, pp.] William T. Fernie, The Occult and Curative Powers of Precious Stones (Blauvelt, NY: Rudolph Steiner Publications, 1973). I quite like the fact that you get two different approaches to how to use each crystal in the Book Of Stones, so this is helpful. The two authors do not always have the same approach and this in itself is good.