Crystal Power, Crystal Healing: The Complete Handbook

I agree with all other reviewers that this is an incredible guide to crystals. This is my first book so I don't have anything to compare it to, but I'm so happy with it, I wouldn't want any other. I love the way the author classifies crystals into eight categories according to their structure. My favorite part of the book, surprisingly, is "Discovering the connections between crystalline structures and lifestyles." I have an interest in psychology and classifying people into personality types. I never read a more accurate description of my personality with a lot of relavent advice.

After working with crystals and stones for nearly a decade and either owning or reading newly every crystal book around, I nearly fell out of my seat when I read this brilliant work. Finally, someone has come up with original information that is both pragmatic and accurate. It is not yet another warmed over text with the same information on the same topics, over and over and over again. This book explains the energies of the various scientific elements - something I have *never* seem before, as well as detailing the energies of the different crystalline structures and their chemical classifications. Aside from that, he provides wonderful information on the way each stone forms which can give us even deeper insights into the stones. I consider myself extremely knowledgable on the subject, but this work is a brilliant addition to the body of knowledge we have on stones. I give the greatest thanks to this author for such a powerful and useful contribution! May you always find the light within you so you may see the light around you.

This book is very complete, written in an intelligent and graceful style, and logically indexed for ease of use. Mr. Gienger presents a well balanced mix of minerology, mythology and spiritual/healing properties for more than 90 crystals and gemstones, ranging from the formation of crystals to suggestions for various healing uses. The outstanding crystal photographs are themselves worth the price of the book. It's not only a wonderful reference book, it's a great read. The section on "Discovering the connection between crystalline structures and lifestyles" is fascinating and unique. Without question, this is the one book on crystals that I will use most often.

Michael tells first off that this book is based on personal experience; he is not simply compiling information from other written sources. His reverence and study of where the crystals come from is profound. He dispels the "magic" of crystal effect by helping a reader to understand what a crystal is/what its nature is/what its relation the the whole of earth is so that respectful use of its healing properties can be used conscientiously, specifically, and subtly. He encourages empowering healing responsibility of the reader by asking them to listen primarily to what they hear from the stones; not just to take what he says about them. And best of all he honors the power of all stones be they chips, polished, faceted, untouched crystals, small, large or mountains; he does not require fussy rituals or very specific forms of crystals for them to be effective though he does acknowledge how these may enhance a desired effect - again do what's right for you. I find most of these aspects to learning how to use crystals frustratingly absent in all of the many other books on the subject that I have come across. His explanation of what is actually taking place in our material existence is eloquent and empassioned and reveals the true mindblowing magic of crstals.

This is a very comprehensive and complete guide to gemstone and crystal healing properties. Michael Gienger gives a good overview of the creation and formation of gemstones and crystals. He has taken the scientific information available and applied it to the overall function and properties given to particular colors and types of stone. His principles and theories of the effects of minerals on humans and animals is persuasive and is very interesting reading for those in the spiritual community. He has absolutely stunning color photographs and easy to understand physical,spiritual,emotional and mental applications and descriptions. This is a good book for those that are into the details and are serious about crystal and gemstone therapy and mysticism.