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THE
CRYSTAL HEALER THE
BOOK OF STONES Sometimes Amazon’s helpful intentions [“If you like this, you might also like that”] have even better results than more merchandising for them and a higher charge card bill for the customer. One example of a beneficial symbiotic relationship is the combination of Philip Permutt’s The Crystal Healer with Robert Simmons’ The Book of Stones. Permutt came to my attention through a review in Guy Spiro’s Monthly Aspectarian (www.lightworks.com), a provocative, thoughtful and only occasionally strange collection of exploring minds and well written articles. Without Spiro and his contributors, the IL Chicagoland would be a lot less enlightened. Permutt comes to stones as the owner of iSiS, and through his experience as a dowser, Taoist healing practitioner, Reiki worker, and knowledge in soul retrieval, sound therapy, and shamanism. As such, he brings a spectrum of perspectives to the stones. Turning the pages and perusing the commentary, one can imagine him leaning over a counter in his gently lit but never dusty (dust reduces the effectiveness of stones) store, and offering suggestions. These are commonsense and wise pieces of advice. Don’t follow the fads. Accept the stones that seem right to you. Just because everyone is buying sugilite or amethyst for headaches does not necessarily mean that your headache (perhaps triggered unbeknownst by that tooth you have not taken to the dentist) will respond to sugilite or even amethyst. You’re not like everyone else, and a stone that appeals to you is more likely to have long-term appeal than the stone currently in fashion. The longer you work with a stone, the more powerful the benefits. Realize also that reference books exist because they offer information that works. If people have found over several thousand years that an amethyst will improve the environment, it is likely that setting out the amethyst you find works for you will improve your environment. Some of Permutt’s information is fairly common knowledge: cleanse stones of past energies and past handlings’ accumulations by putting them in sunlight, moonlight, or under running water. Some of his information is less widely known: it’s also possible to cleanse stones by putting them into a geode. If you look for a stone to address today’s problems, you will find one. If you look for a stone that will serve your long-term needs, you will find one (and you may be puzzled by its appeal to you today, but you will understand next month or next year). Permutt would be a good friend and helpful source. Permutt will help you identify the pretty stone you brought home from the Gem and Mineral show or the local rock store; thought the colors attracted you, you’ve forgotten what it’s called and you have no idea what you’re holding. His color-coded sections [red stones, orange stones, yellow stones, etc.] offer a mostly clear starting point (except perhaps troubling stones like turquoise (green or blue or brown), that thing that turns out to be bloodstone or labradorite. But if you’re looking for what to put on your list to hunt for at the next trip to the Gem and Mineral show, consult Amazon’s suggestion of a symbiotic partner, The Book of Stones: Who they are & What They Teach, because Simmons, Ahsian, and Raven will give you thoughtful answers. The Book of Stones is heavier in every way than The Crystal Healer: it looks heavier, it feels heavier, and is thinks heavier. While Permutt’s book serves as a quicker read introduction for the uninitiated and refresher for the adept, the material presented by Simmons, Ahsian and Raven will serve the reader for a lifetime. This is not something to be browsed through on a Sunday afternoon. Each entry consists of a photograph, element (water, wind, air, fire) connection, chakra associations, key words; a commentary by each of the authors; applications (spiritual, emotional, physical) and affirmation. Simmons brings extensive experience and deep thought to his entries; his co-author Ahsian gives the reader equally valuable information. These are writers who have concentrated on stones, and know their material. If you want information in depth, this is your source. But how do they compare to some of the others in the field? To mention two: Melody’s Love is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals is the book you’re going to find next to the register in a New Age friendly stone source. Its subtitle The Reference Book Describing the Metaphysical Properties of the Mineral Kingdom is borne out by the conversational commentaries. If you don’t know what it is, you don’t have photographs to figure out what it is. If you are looking for metaphysical applications apart from mineral knowledge, Melody may be your source. How does she compare? She is more detailed than Permutt but hazier than Simmons. Barbara Walker’s The Book of Sacred Stones: Fact and Fallacy in the Crystal World is the book looking for you if you want your opinions unminced and your beliefs set straight. The first half is introductory material (Biblical Gems, New Age, What is a Crystal) the second half minerals with an encyclopedia entry for each. Most photographs are in black and white. Walker has an impressive amount of background knowledge, and is not afraid to present her conclusions whether you are looking for them or not. How does she compare? If you want information rather than esoteric background and didactic information, go with Simmons. The beauty of Permutt and Simmons et.al., in addition to the wonderful photography, is that they do respect the reader, and they offer complimentary perceptions. You don’t need all the stones now; you don’t need what everyone else needs; there are variables and verities. And if you listen, the stones do speak. Decide how you would like to be spoken to, and one of these two books will help you find the stones that will do so. Stones are meditation aids, energy enhancers, repositories of more than what one sees. If you are willing to listen and if you find a guide book right for you, the stones will talk. --Holly Schoenecker |