Having read the majority of Rachels book I knew even before reading this one that it would be good.

Full of great advice and helpful ideas along with so much information on crystals with how to cleanse then, what to use them for and how to get the best from them. Definatel;y a book you will go back to again and again for reference.

Thanks to Netgalley and Moon Books (John Hunt Pubishing) for the ARC. My review is my own opinion.

I recently started my journey with crystals so I am always looking at books to find ones that are good resources and organized well. Kitchen Witchcraft : Crystal Magic is one such book. Rachel Patterson starts off with the history of crystals and shares with the reader that crystals are more than just pretty stones.

All of the information that Rachel Patterson includes is wonderful, and I can see long time crystal users picking up some new tips and information. After the introduction to crystals, Patterson has so much more information to share including; Cleansing Crystals, Crystals and Full Moons, Meditating with Crystals, Crystal Bling, Using Crystals with Poppets, Witch Bottles, and Mojo Bags, and so much more.

With each crystal Patterson includes the crystal’s Magical Properties, Energy, Element, Planet, and Zodiac sign. She also shares what the crystal is best used for, since most crystals can be used for more than one reason. The Suggested Cleansing and Divination Meaning rounds out each crystal’s entry.

At the end there is an alphabetical list of outcomes that you may be looking for with a spell or in meditating, and which crystal can help assist you. Memory, Money, Moon Magic, Motivation, etc… are just a few examples. This part I found really helpful since you can go directly to the intention and find the crystals needed, instead of going through page after page.

I’m looking forward to the release date of December 1st, 2019 because whenever I find a good reference book, I always buy a print copy. I just find them easier for myself to use. So an early Yule gift for me!

Thank you to netgalley for this ARC! I am fairly new to crystals and this was really well written and informative. Easy to follow for a novice like me!

This was a great read with 1 minor recommendation. I knew it was going to be good when the author defined crystals on the first page. Oftentimes, books and practitioners do not define that crystals are a blanket term various rocks and minerals. Meanwhile, a majority of folks, and those new to crystals, are out there thinking crystals are the clear faceted glass that projects rainbows, looks great as sun catchers (they do) or hanging from rear view in the car. Watches use quartz crystal to power and keep time, ruby crystals are used to make a watch face that cannot be scratched by another other than a diamond, and diamonds (also a crystal in the blanket term) are used to create lasers to cut through virtually anything. Gold is a powerful conductor, and overall science confirms that crystals (whether gemstones, metals or stones found in the woods) contain unique characteristics and energy. The metal encasing jewelry can be equally as powerful as the stone/crystal it houses. Towards the end of the book the author goes into more details on how metals are often complimentary and enhancers of crystal energy.

I learned a few new cleansing and charging techniques - who knew you could use herbs?! If you are curious about crystals and want to know more this is a great introduction. The first part of the book gives a lot of helpful information on the various uses of crystals and how to get started. The next section of the book gives a great breakdown of stones by birthstone, zodiac, even days of the week! Very helpful for augmenting your crystal work and tailoring to specific applications! The rest of the book, and my particular favorite is going into details on the various crystals, properties, planet, meanings and suggested cleansing methods. While you can cleanse your stones all the same, the intent and care directed to a specific crystal or family of crystals can be much more effective.

While I view this as a reference book, about the last 20% is the authors “lists” which I loved! If you are focused on certain outcomes or characteristics they are broken out alphabetically and include a list of stones support each outcome. Overall, this book has many practical uses for the curious or those who have started collecting or looking to collect crystals with the intent of enhancing their own lives. Personally, I keep certain crystals and or gone pyramids close to my electronics to protect from the harmful effects of EMF. One enhancement I would like the author to have touched upon in more detail in the book is specific applications for various crystals. For example Hematite, Tourmaline, Shungite and Smokey Quartz are all “protection” stones/crystals and are identified more broadly as such in this book. Some of its more specific uses, as with my EMF example, is very relevant and useful information that readers may be looking for more information on, or would be enlightened to know these crystal properties apply, more specifically to particular uses. I thank the author and publisher for the pleasure of an ARC preview, and as a note to readers, this issue may be resolved at the time of publishing.

I'm new to witchcraft and it's full of reading- everyone I meet tells me to read, read, read. From my reading I knew I was more interested in crystal magic. I wanted something that went a little deeper than crystal properties. I needed something that would gave me insight into how to actually know what I'm doing. This was the perfect book for what I was looking for!