Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem \u0026 Metal Magic by Scott Cunningham

Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem \u0026 Metal Magic Reviews

• 
  Heather Purri

  Difficulty Level: Beginner
  No magickal background necessary.
  
  Pros:
  - It's an occult/Pagan classic.
  I believe this book was written for Pagans in general, and would be useful for Pagans. However, just know that it's written from a Wiccan perspective.
  This book is used by virtually all Wiccans, and is popular with other Pagans as well.
  I highly recommend getting the ebook, so you can quickly find what you need.
  
  - Written for practitioners at any level.
  Before you get to the encyclopedia part, it starts with an intro to magick for beginners while explaining how to use, charge, and cleanse crystals, stones, etc. Some of the rituals are folk magick style, which don't require much preparation or magickal tools, and are perfect for last minute or emergency spells. Others are more elaborate divination rituals that might appeal more to seasoned practitioners.
  
  Cons:
  - No in-text citations. Would've been useful for the folklore entries. There's a bibliography though.
  
  - Lack of visual aids.
  Modern stone/crystal books have a full-color photo next to each stone entry. Since this is from the 1980s, it just has a section with photos lumped together. The stones are listed in order under the pictures, so it takes a little time to figure out which is which, and I doubt the photos cover all of the stones in the book. In short, isn't made for identifying the mystery stones in your collection. You'll have to post a photo online and ask what they are, then use this book.
• 
  Anjie Brown

  Fantastic referance book! Well written and informative. I have other crystal books that I love, but this is the first one that talks about the crystal and gems relationships and associations to goddesses/gods, the sun, moon, planets and other celestial beings, as well as their interactions with metals. It discusses using crystals by themselves, together, or as divination tools. Most complete crystal book I've found so far, and I'd recommend it to every one!
• 
  Megan H.

  An accessible guide for the magickally-minded rock and crystal lover. I will definitely be using his reference charts again and again, and the rituals I’ve tried out so far have been really potent.
  
  *However,* if you are new to rocks and minerals, please supplement this book with some basic geology knowledge. Many of his suggestions could potentially damage some stones— and yourself!
  
  Things to look up in addition to this book:
  
  1. Mohs Hardness Scale (will tell you which crystals will dissolve in water and which crystals will break each other if stored together)
  2. Crystal Toxicity Lists (Some minerals can poison you! DON’T bathe with poisonous jewelry on or drink water that has had a poisonous crystal soaking in it— real things he suggests at points in the book)
  3. The difference between a rock and a mineral. (He is very confused on this point)
  4. The definition of “crystal” in a geology sense (he seems to think the name for Quartz is Crystal, and lists it under that word. However, most minerals form crystals. (And those that don’t, like obsidian or opal, are considered things like glass or mineraloids, not minerals)
  
  There were more science-based issues, but I think those were the most important.
  
  Don’t get me wrong— I loved this book! But I’d hate for someone to ruin a perfectly nice mineral or make themselves sick because of some bad info! Just read it with a grain of salt, and learn the science behind your stones before you do a ritual in this book.
  
  Edit: in particular, DON’T make an exact copy of the crystal tarot he presents in the book! Many of those stones are WAY harder than the others, and all you will get by putting them together in a bag is a bunch of broken stones! (See Mohs Hardness Scale)
• 
  Bluebell

  It's a good reference book with a nice introduction in using crystals, cleansing them etc. There is unfortunately some passages in the book that should be ignored at best because they did not stand the test of time. Like the reference to using mercury and asbestos along putting random stones in your mouth without clear warnings. Stones such as malachite, opal and azurite just to name a few should absolutely not go in water let alone your mouth but from reading this book alone you'll never know that.
  Then there is the quotes "Who would trust a magician whose life is in disarray, who is in debt, constantly sick, or emotionally unstable?" and "Too much receptive energy creates moodiness, lethargy, depression, disinterest and a shutting-out of the physical world." These quotes are pretty dangerous and I was a bit shocked to see it in the first few pages. These quotes should definitely be left at the door.
  As for what I did like the correspondences along with planets and deities was very nice along with the recommendations of going to rock shows to start building your collection. There is good information in there but I knew what to cherry pick from this book and what not to. The next person may not be so lucky.
  I'd recommend taking some information and leaving the rest at the door. While it is helpful it should not be the last book you read when it comes to crystals, witchcraft, wicca or for whatever you came here for.
  
• 
  Anna Shtorm

  So far I enjoyed every book of Scott Cunningham that I read. His Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic is not an exception. It's quite a short and useful collection of information about the gems and metals. I read it all through but you can read selectively the only information you need now. After all that`s why it is called an encyclopedia.
• 
  Patricia

  Another compendium of Cunningham's that remains useful at all levels of practice.
• 
  A.M.G. ☮Hippie/Fantasia☮

  Rating: 5+ / 5
  
  Yet another interesting and insightful encyclopedia by Cunningham, and another beautiful addition to my shelves! Similarly to his encyclopedia on herbs, Cunningham lists the crystals, their properties and associations, as well as their uses for craft word and background lore. Unlike his herb encyclopedia though, Cunningham goes in depth here on how to obtain, cleanse, and store crystals once you have them, as well as how to use them in divination in conjunction with, say, tarot. In other words, there is no necessary companion work and this is complete in and of itself.
  
  For anyone looking to get in-depth with using crystals, course there are more thorough and detailed works out there, but as a quick reference point and go-to on the subject, this is definitely a useful addition to your shelves!
• 
  Sylwia

  Incredible book: easy to read, full of wisdom and knowledge, but also narrated by someone who is enjoyable to listen to. I almost never finish a book in one sitting, but from the moment I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. I will be referring to this book for years to come.
• 
  Angela Coulter

  This was the very first book I ever purchased about the use of crystals... I bought it about 22 years ago, and I still have it!
  
  Very simple and practical introduction of crystal use.
  
• 
  Angela Natividad

  One of those resources about which one can say, "an oldie but a goodie!" Tables in back are handy for regular reference.
• 
  Meaghan

  4.5 rounded up.
  .
  This is a very dense but informative work. There is a lot of information about gemstones, crystals, and metals that was interesting to read and learn about. I enjoyed the respectful way in which each entry was discussed with regards to the lore behind them.
  .
  Since the author sadly passed away in 1993, there is not much information about newer stones that have been added to/found for magical use in recent years. Therefore, those looking for information on said newer stones may not find much here; however, an extensive bibliography is included at the end of the book for further education.
  .
  Overall this is a great reference book that I will be sure to look back on often!
• 
  Gwyndyllyn

  As far as a reference for stones, this is a solid choice. An important text to have on hand.
• 
  Lisa James

  Absolutely my favorite book in this series! Mine is dog eared & well loved!
• 
  Lodane

  The 1-5 Star Review is the total of what I have to say about this book, specifically.
  
  Caveat: This review is historical/archival in nature. 'Date read' is speculative.
  
  This book is one of many books I have read about the occult/paganism/witchcraft. This was the readily available faith in my household as a child. Additionally, I worked for a company in this field, 2015-2016, and had to read an ocean of this stuff to do my job.
  
  Like televangelists, and snake-oil salesman, these publishers prey on the vulnerable. The authors are mentally ill: suffering from 'magical thinking' and delusions. Worst of all, most of them can't write worth a damn.
  
  Llewellyn Worldwide is the absolute worst on both counts. I wouldn't even trust their overpriced CALENDARS to be accurate.
  
  These books are also big offenders on the the 'cultural appropriation' front. In fact, they're in the running for worst case ever. So-called 'eclectic witches' steal aspects of other religions and mythology. They make it clear that they don't understand them, or feel the need to, before shitting in someone else's bed. The publishers/authors then profit off this, leaving the reader less smart and more broke.
  
  The living Venn diagram of demographics for these books would look like this:
  She's a white, American woman. She dropped out of college to attend massage/cosmetology school. Growing up, her strict parents took her to church every Sunday. She kissed a girl 10 years ago, and likes Katy Perry. To quote Holden from Chasing Amy, "Over- or underweight [people] who don't get laid - they're our bread and butter."
  
  Though a copypasta of it, these books never tell you about hermeticism. They don't prime you to understand hermeticism. Hermeticism, by the way, is also total bullshit. It is, at least, historic -- and seminal in almost all spooky fiction involving rituals or alchemy.
  
  If I give one of these books anything above 2 stars, it's a decent example of this type of book. It might have a redeeming feature, like reference material for fictional world-building. Having worked in this field, including sales of these exact books, I can tell you... the fix is in, they know it, don't buy this stuff.
• 
  Kelly Miess

  A good basic reference and a good beginning. I rated it four rather than five stars because it is missing so many stones I'm interested in. I'd did very much appreciate the information on metals and wished there was much more detail on the magic uses for each stone or metal. I'll be digging in deeper to follow up on what I learned here.
• 
  Alan D.D.

  A great and very complete encyclopedia to start learning about stones. Indispensable to have it on hand to be able to know more about the subject as soon as it is needed.
  Una muy buena y completa enciclopedia para comenzar a aprender sobre las piedras. Indispensable tenerla a la mano para poder saber más sobre el tema en cuanto haga falta.
• 
  Antoinette

  Wasn't really interested in 'magic' per se, but the listing of different properties of metals was very interesting to me. It's the primary reason I bought this book.
  May re-sell it, still thinking about it as I am not into magic at all - just wanted to learn about the metaphysical properties of certain metals.
• 
  Juli Anna

  A great resource: Cunningham always collects the most interesting folklore and presents it with equal parts playfulness and reverence. I appreciate that this lies firmly in the realm of the magical and doesn't try to make pseudo-scientific claims, like many similar guides do.
• 
  Kara

  
  I find the history of the symbolism that pops up in multiple cultures fascinating, as well as looking into the beauty of all rocks and minerals besides just the ones you usually see in a jewelry store.
• 
  Jennifer Lynch

  It’s a good reference book, but I’ve found there are many crystals/stones missing from the collection. When I find something that is missing, I search other references then put the information on a piece of paper and add it to the book.
• 
  Raquel Alves

  Como qualquer enciclopédia, nem acabei de ler, nem comecei a ler: uma enciclopédia é de consulta frequente.
  Muito, mas mesmo muito bom guia para saber tudo o que se pretende dos vários materiais englobados.
  É, sem dúvida, para consultar assiduamente.
• 
  Tameeka

  Great resource for digging deeper into crystals and the meaning they represent in our lives.
• 
  Victoria

  Loved reading this book! Great book for those interested in crystals and want to know a bit about crystal lore and it's metaphysical uses. Highly recommend!
• 
  Runafuego

  Libro muy completo con un montón de usos y formás mágicas para realizar con piedras y minerales.
• 
  Wise Fool

  Another great book from Mr. Cunningham.
  It's pretty much summed up in the title.
  Explanations as always are clear and concise!
  Always a pleasure reading his works.
  Enjoy!
• 
  Tammy

  interesting
• 
  Martin Jay

  A great platform from which to explore the magical aspects of crystals and minerals