Llewellyn's Little Book of Crystals (Llewellyn's Little Books, 19) by Margaret Ann Lembo

Forty stones, photographed. A full-color directory with correspondences for each, which is what you actually want in a reference this size.

Grids and gem essences. Practical instruction on building a crystal grid and making a gem essence.

Charts and exercises throughout. Stones by sign, by intention, and by the sort of work you are doing.

• Author: Margaret Ann Lembo
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, Little Books series
• Full-color hardcover, pocket-sized
• Directory of 40 crystals with photographs and correspondences
• SKU: BLLELITC

Crystal correspondences are a modern system, and it is worth knowing that. Most of what the crystal shelf now takes for granted was assembled over the last century or so, and the older sources, Cunningham among them, list far fewer stones than a contemporary directory does. That does not make the practice worthless; it makes it recent, which is a different thing, and a practitioner who knows the difference works more honestly.

One caution, since the publisher's own description reaches for it: crystals are not medicine. They do not affect digestion, muscle strength, or any physical condition, and no reputable practice claims otherwise. What a stone can honestly do is give an intention something to hold onto, which is a real and modest thing. If you are unwell, see a doctor.

1. Use the directory to identify stones and their attributions, which is what it is best at.
2. Follow the grid instructions before improvising your own.
3. Cross-check the correspondences against your other sources, and notice where they differ.
4. Carry it, which is what the pocket format is for.
5. Keep your own notes on what you actually use, since your working list will be shorter than any book's.

• Llewellyn's Complete Book of Correspondences: the fuller reference, for when the little book runs out.
• Blank Journal: for your own working notes.
• Lemurian Mini Quartz Points, 1 lb: quartz for the grids the book teaches.
• White Selenite Wand: the cleansing companion for a growing collection.
• White Sage Smudge Stick: to cleanse new stones as they arrive.

How many crystals does it cover?

Forty, each with a photograph and its correspondences.

Is it for beginners?

Yes. It assumes nothing and is designed as a first crystal book.

Do crystals heal physical conditions?

No. Crystals are not medicine and do not treat any physical condition. What they can honestly do is give an intention a focus. If you are unwell, see a doctor.

Are crystal correspondences traditional?

Mostly modern. The system was largely assembled over the last century, and the older folk sources list far fewer stones. It is worth knowing where an attribution comes from.

What is a gem essence?

Water charged by proximity to a stone. The book explains the method; note that many stones should never be placed directly in water you intend to drink.