Crystal Enlightenment: The Transforming Properties of Crystals and Healing Stones (Crystal Trilogy, Vol. 1)

This is the 1st in a series of 3 crystal books by Katrina. They are well written, easy to understand, and provide very useful information. The other 2 books are Volume II "Crystal Healing" (1987), and Volume III "The Crystalline Transmission" (1990). If you are really interested in stones and crystals and their possible relationship to healing (yourself or others), knowledge and so much more, I suggest this series of all 3 books by Katrina. You probably want to read these volumes in order unless you already know some of this energy and crystal stuff. (Many people who are into crystal knowledge will tell you that crystals are used in healing to direct the flow of energy and/or to store and pass on knowledge. Many people feel the energy in crystals, and have received a variety of experiences with their use. I know this may be difficult for some of you to believe, but open your mind to the possibility and believe as a child, at least long enough to explore the possibility.)Katrina explains what crystals are, physically and esoterically and how they are formed and mined. She then goes into how to use them, meditations, cleaning and recharging the, and healing layouts. She talks about several kinds of crystals, such as the Record-Keeper (which I was pleased to find one in Alberta Canada) and other crystals such as amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, etc. as well as other healing stones: bloodstone, malachite, lapis, etc. Of course, I've heard it said that a Record Keeper finds YOU.The final chapter includes several charts:Astrological Trinities Chart (associated astrological signs with planetary influences through related stones--example: Heart Chakra, sign-Cancer, stones-moonstone, opal, purpose-balance or intention of emotions, etc).Table of Remaining Healing Stones(example: WULFENITE-orange-energizes and purifies physical body)Table of Color Chakra Stones(example: 1st charka, "Muladhara", physical areas of anus, rectum, colon, adrenal gland, color black or red, stones-bloodstone, etc, energy-ground spirit forces in body. Gain ability to work lovingly on the physical plane.)Diagram of Main Chakra Points for Stone PlacementThis book is a nice addition to my library, but I also like Melody's "Love Is In The Earth". It provides a lot more information on each of a lot more stones, not just crystals. Still, Katrina Raphaell does give a lot more information on crystals. I was exceptionally pleased with her explanation of the Record Keeper crystal. She also explains good healing techniques in using stones, such as how to use rose quartz on the heart charka, and other healing techniques with other stones. As I said, her books are a welcome addition to my library. If you're really interested in stones and their metaphysical uses and qualities, I would suggest buying both Raphaell's series of 3 books and Melody's "Love Is In The Earth".

Crystal Enlightenment by Katrina Raphaell, while written in 1985 is still current today. I find Ms. Raphaell's writing to be clear and detailed, not the fluff book that seems to fill the bookstores today. This book covers the basics of working with crystals and is one of a triology of books. According to Ms. Raphaell, "This book in no way claims to be the only way or the final word on crystals. It remains forever open to the revision of truth."Beginning with a short overview of crystals, Crystal Enlightenment, covers a range of how crystals are formed by nature and man to what she determines to be future uses of crystals. This book describes a number of stones and their uses. The only thing missing from this book is color images for reference that would help the beginner trying to study stones and their uses.Charts in the back of the book include astrological pairings for stones, something not often found. This chart covers the astrological sign, planet, color, chakras, stone trinities and purpose. The other charts refer to healing stones for chakras, glands, physical and energy.This book isn't really for the dabbler. It is a broad spectrum of quality information, including tuning into your crystals, basic layout for stones and chakra balancing. Crystal Enlightenment provides the opportunity for study, rather than page-turning entertainment.This book may be nearly thirty years old, but it stands the test of time.

Deals with a lot of traditional knowledge about crystals as it relates to culture and folklore

If I were going to help Katrina Raphaell write an updated version of this book, I would help her figure out how to include quality photographs of the crystals she discusses on recycled paper, so that she doesn't have to give up being ecologically responsible in her printing but so that her book can be a bit more helpful to the beginner crystal healers she's trying to help. While she goes into detail about various types of healing layouts and crystal types, the entire book is almost completely devoid of illustrations of any kind! I was surprised by this, since so many of her descriptions would be so well supported by a simple picture or illustration to show what she's talking about. Further, her descriptions of the various crystals in the second HALF of the book are lovely, but I found myself looking up pictures of each of the minerals as I read so that I could figure out what she was talking about, and so that I could recognize a striation or a termination when I saw one in future. As this book was published almost 30 years ago now, I'd love to see the author release a 2nd edition with updated information on each specimen as well as illustrations to accompany each section, so that readers like me don't have to search the internet for accompanying illustrations but can find it all in one place and treat her book as the resource it should be.

This is a replacement for one I had lost. I remember it being a great resource and wanted it back in my library.

Although this book was written in 1985, I found it enjoyable and informative in 2019. Others complained because it had no illustrations, but I found the information here straightforward enough that I never wished for an illustration. I have taken an intense class on crystals and have read many other crystal books, but I enjoyed this very much. I know it is old, but it is considered a classic. I can see why.

I have not read very many books about gemstones so I suppose it depends how much you already know about the subject matter. This book is well written with good explainations as far as use for healing layouts or meditations and such. It only extensively covers 28 of the more common gemstones. The stones here are given thorough coverage in easily understandable language. I found this book easy to read. I would recommend this book along with "Crystal Bible" by Hall, or "Crystal Handbook" by Eason both of which cover many more stones but with less depth.

Katrina's books on crystal healing are by far some of the best around and are on the recommended reading lists of most crystal therapy tutors. I think what I like most about katrina's work is that I find it so easy to relate too, she has a lovely reader friendly writting style but still gets all the information across logically. I also find her view on certain crystals unique to other writers, but after spending time undertaking my own crystal meditations I find myself coming to the same conclusions. There is so much valuable information in this first volume of her work which nicely sets the scene for her other two books, which are also brilliant. I found the information on the crystal layouts most helpful and original and it has really encouraged me to experiment with my own layouts, using my intuition. It contains all the information you need to know on how to care for and use crystals for healing.I will agree with what one reviewer has said that perhaps if you were just starting out in crystal healing you would need other books to accompany it as it does not contain pictures of the crystals, and some of the information is a little more advanced. but this is by no means a reason to give it less stars, the information it contains is invaluable and those just starting out in crystal healing will soon find themselves being drawn to this book as their knowledge and experience expands and grows.This book really has helped me so much in completing my crystal therapy practitioner course and in expanding my knowledge and understanding of crystals, I cannot recommend it highly enough :)

Enjoyable book,quite an 'oldie' now as it was written in the mid-eighties.It contains lots of useful info,including explaining how crystals are formed,how to tune into them,ways to cleanse them (Be careful with both the salt and the sun/water methods as some fragile crystals can be damaged by these methods-if in doubt,use another type of cleansing.),lots of different ways to work with them;such as layouts,meditation etc.Lots of very interesting uses for many of the well-known crystals such as quartz (in all its forms,i.e phantom,teacher,rainbow,cluster,record keeper,etc),rose quartz,citrine ,amethyst,obsidian,malachite,fluorite,etc.Only minor bad point is that it gets a bit too 'new age' in places,personally I'm not convinced about things like atlantis,walk-ins and star-beings.I believe in the powers of crystals because I can feel them and see that they heal and help.I definitely recommened this book to crystal lovers,its a uesful book written by an author who obviously loves crystals herself and has much wisdom to share about them.

Very happy with quality of the product

Thus is not just a book that you read and forget about it. It is an encyclopedia that you can use every day if you are interested in or work with crystals. I am just starting my experience with crystals and the book provides great understanding about them plus meditations and healing practices with crystals.

This is a very interesting book on crystals particularly the quartz family. Lovely front cover which gets better in part 2 and 3, which continue the journey. Lots of practical advice. Well worth the read.