Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic

Rating:
Summary: Useless
Review: This book is a total dissapointment. Even I, as a relatively new craft practicioner, have little to learn from this book. Now don't get me wrong, Cunningham is one of the best writers on contemporary solitary Wicca, and every one of his books is a MUST, except for this one. When it comes to herbs, incense, brews, etc. Cunningham is the best- but he really blew it on this one. I bought this book thinking it would teach me how to incorporate all those crystals and gems I have into magick practice, instead of just using it like any other new age believer- but it certainly doesn't teach that. This book provides information such as how to cleanse sones, empower them, etc. information you can get while surfing the web for five minutes- just go to a search and write crystals or something. And even this information isn't complete, such as stones that shouldn't come in contact with salts, sun, etc. And the encyclopedia section isn't good enough either. This book is useless, buy another of his books instead.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This book is an excellent reference book. It contains a number of color photos to help you along the way. All I can say is that this book answered any questions I may have had regarding this topic and anytime I have a question regarding this subject I can refer to this book and find my answer.

Rating:
Summary: One of the best references available on this subject
Review: This book is detailed but not exhaustive. Cunningham has a way of cutting through the veils of arcane muddle and get right to the subject at hand. This is the reference that we recommend for those that wish to enter the world of gemstone, crystal and metal magic and a must for anyone that needs a reference on this subject. The description of each mineral or metals mystical properties are clearly described in enough detail to let you know what is is best suited for. The chapters preceding the descriptions are written in a simple and straight forward manner that does not favor any one religion or belief system. He lets the reader take what they need from it and apply it accordingly. Mr. Cunningham also includes a quick reference summary that is set up in a logical and easy to use format. It is a shame that Scott Cunningham is no longer with us. His direct way of sharing this important information is still needed in the spiritual community.

Rating:
Summary: Very disappointing
Review: This entire book could be summarized by a simple table of correspondences between colors, planets, and spheres of influence that would fit on a small 3x5 card. All of the info in this book is merely based on the color of the stone or gem in nearly all cases. The same information can be gotten in a more concise form from the back pages of Starhawk's *The Spiral Dance*, which is overall a much better book on Witchcraft than Cunningham has ever written, in my opinion. There is so much more to gem and mineral lore than color and planetary correspondences however. Also recommended is Cat Yronwode's *Hoodoo Herb and Root Magic*. Also *Twelve Wild Swans* has an exercise for communing with plants for their magical uses that can be adapted to minerals. *Urban Shaman* by Serge King has good info too. Each stone has its own unique spirit, and the cookie cutter "book of lists" approach that Cunningham takes with this book just doesn't cut it for me. It may not cut it for other serious magic users and "urban shamans" either.

Rating:
Summary: Basic magical corrispondance
Review: This is a good magical corrispondance book on stones, metals, and gems. its a good referrance book when you need some information on the magickal properties of a stone or it's use but I have found that there are many stones not mentioned in the book. perhapse with the increase in types of stones available in the market today this book might be getting a little dated. Still a good resouce to have on hand if you can't find a better on or if you don't do a lot of stone magick work.... but it might be worth looking into a more comprehensive one, that includes a greater variety if you are doing a lot of work with stones.

Rating:
Summary: Basic magical corrispondance
Review: This is a good magical corrispondance book on stones, metals, and gems. its a good referrance book when you need some information on the magickal properties of a stone or it's use but I have found that there are many stones not mentioned in the book. perhapse with the increase in types of stones available in the market today this book might be getting a little dated. Still a good resouce to have on hand if you can't find a better on or if you don't do a lot of stone magick work.... but it might be worth looking into a more comprehensive one, that includes a greater variety if you are doing a lot of work with stones.

Rating:
Summary: Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem & Metal Magic
Review: This is an excellent book to read and use as a thumb reference. It includes folklore, uses , instructions for cleaning you stones, etc., and even a few spells to get started. It is an indespinsable (did I spell that right?) book in my library.

Rating:
Summary: most wonderfull book on Gems!
Review: This is my first book on gems,I think that the information thta you find locked in the pages is very informative. Great referance book! Scott Cunningham, is a great writer!

Rating:
Summary: Oh my
Review: This is not a book you want in your collection. The author seems to present his material in a one sided one track manner that sort of feels like fingernails across a chalkboard when reading it. I read the other reviews and can agree with whoever wrote in saying that Cunningham actualy does claim that polished stones are more powerfull than those in their natural state. If thats not enough information for you not to buy this book then I dont know what is.

Rating:
Summary: a must-have resource
Review: When I first began learning about crystals and other gemstones, this was one of the first titles I added to my bookshelf, and it has been an invaluable resource ever since. Now, years later, this is the *only* book I recommend to others who are beginning their own explorations into working with stones, as it is so easy to look up precisely what you need and find helpful details. Cunningham definitely knows his stuff, and all of his titles -- including this one -- are excellent.