Wisdom Of The Gemstone Guardians

"I highly enjoyed this book. I read some of the other reviews and I understand how opinions can differ about it. It is true, it is probably not a book for beginners unless they are very openminded about certain things. I also understand how the author's emphasis on the spherical form of crystals can be a matter of controversy. However, it does make sense to me that the energy emanated from spheres would be different than from any other form. The guardians he interviews emphasise actually that the consciousness of mankind is now ready for the use of gemstones in spherical form. That means it is a development that humankind is growing into right now, so there still naturally is a transition period and it doesn't mean that crystals in other form are not valid or working. The sphere works differently, more potent for todays consciousness, that's how I understand it. I personally don't work with crystals, but read this book more for interest in the background information about our planet, history, and the subtle bodies (astral, causal, mental bodies and so on). As for the mentioning of extraterrestrials planting certain crystals, or trading for crystals, well it depends how openminded one is. I have been around these ideas for a while so they are not 'weird' or foreign to me (I grew up in a household where it was common to discuss that extraterrestrias really had helped mankind along in their development, such as helped build the pyramids, offered knowledge about agriculture and so on; so why would it be strange to think they also help the development of crystals along. With that being said, as the author also says in the book, keep some discrimination as not all extraterrestrials are of good intention!). It helps to remember that the universe might be far more fantastic than what we commonly assume, and this book is a good reminder for that."
~ Written on 2008-09-23

"I bought this book since it has a chapter on building a crystal pharmacy. Little did I know that the author was referring to himself and reveals nothing to the reader as to how he/she should go about it with the exception of 'buy my line of presumably overpriced, crystal necklaces'. The author has written this book as a pretense to sell you his product line of necklaces and I RESENT IT. Here are two examples: the book comes with a postcard inserted in it to order the author's catalog and on pg 287 (I paraphrase) 'Anyone fortunate enough to own a strand of Lapis Lazuli spheres are really lucky to own such a wonderful tool.' The author 'talks' to the 'guardians of each crystal and they have explained to him what their powers are and how to construct these special necklaces that only he knows now how to do properly. But lucky for the reader, he can sell them to you...Blah, blah, blah, This book will end up in the next garage sale. If I had seen the Larry King endorsement on the front cover I would have known to stay away, far, far away but I didn't. Oh, well. Unfortunately, I bought Michael Katz's Energy Medicine book too. I haven't looked or read it yet but I wouldn't be surprised if it were written to sell me on necklaces or something else too since it came with the catalog postcard in it as well. I recommend people stay away from Katz books. He can't be trusted -- he has an agenda."
~ Written on 2007-10-19

"I like the form and the format of this book. It gives great insights as to why we should wear gemstones and the significance to us on this planet at this time. It's more current and up to date then other books and it is channeled information. "
~ Written on 2007-08-29

"I'll admit, I only bought this book because of the statement on the cover by Larry King, which said: "What a remarkable study. You won't put it down!" Being a huge gemstone buff, and somebody who does gemstone healing, I had to read the book that came so highly recommended by just about the most unlikely of sources out there.

I think I got halfway through the chapter "The Assignment is Given" (the first chapter), when I decided to interpret and read this book as if it were a book that gives interesting uses and techniques to gemstone healing and gemstones themselves, wrapped up in an elaborate fictional story. That's not to say I think the author made up what he's writing, as I do genuinely believe that what he writes is what was seen and experienced by his medium (a woman who actually enters the auras of the Gemstone Guardians and acts as a vessel). However, some aspects of these interviews and some of the explanations given for various things are so fantastic or out of reason and logical thought, even contradictory to what's already been written and probably experienced by many people, not to mention heard to reconcile for some with personal beliefs in terms of spirituality, that the only way to process what is being read is to think of it all as a back story to introduce some new, unique, and interesting theories on healing with gemstones.

Overall, I think the book is interesting and worth reading for those that are looking for new ways of using gemstones, presented in a format that is unconventional, and not like any other "how to" gemstone healing book out there (though some of the information was familiar to me already through my work as a Reiki healer, such as the layers of the aura/ astral bodies). The accounts for the meetings were fascinating and, even though certain aspects of the interviews and the information that was shared by the Guardians was bizarre to say the least (such as descriptions of alien beings planting crystals from space ships and the "gemstone wars" that ensued with some mythological entities so as to harness power), I still got a lot of great information that I plan on implementing into my practice of gemstone healing. Not all of it I agreed with or believed... Call it an unnatural hang-up of mine, but even with the faith I have in my own spirituality and the power of gemstones, there were several things said that, because of their outright conflict with scientific theory (and their far-fetched nature), there was some stuff I just couldn't palate... Such as the claims that the black flecks in Emerald were from ancient negativity absorbed in the crystal and neutralized, and that the earth is not millions of years old... But the book is not really written in a way that makes you feel like you HAVE to accept the accounts of the Guardians verbatim to use the crystals in the ways they suggest, or that you can't adapt the information to your own personal uses and needs.

I really had only three major issues with this book:

1. This book deals with only using crystals and gemstones in sphere form for healing, and the use of clusters, points, and such is very much discouraged. There was a lot of talk of using gemstone beads and necklaces, and larger gemstone spheres to alter the energy of the environment around us, but it was very strongly suggested that non-sphere shaped crystals and gemstones were not of the same power and energy as the clusters. At one point, I think it was in the discussions they had with the Guardian of Quartz, where it was actually suggested that non-sphere crystals should be "returned to the earth" as they had the potential to be destructive and should not be used. This is something that my own experience, and the experiences of many I'm sure, directly contradicts. I think that gemstone and crystal's latent energy is not necessarily dictated by its shape and size, and I don't think that spheres are stronger than anything else. I think that piece of information will be hard to process for many a healer who's had experience the opposite of what they state.

2. The Guardian of Emerald, the Guardian of Amethyst, and the Guardian of Ruby stated, as did others, that the more "gemmy" a stone was, the rarer, clearer, and conversely, the most expensive cuts of stone had more healing power than the occluded, non-gem quality stones. Another grain of information I think many healers, myself included, find to be untrue and somewhat irritating. Especially since the tip to run out and buy high-quality, non-black flecked, green Emerald beads because they're a key for your healing toolbox is not a helpful tip for those who can't afford to put thousands of dollars into gemstone healing. Again, I think the experiences of those healers who have not had the means to buy the best of stones for healing, yet still manage to be fantastic healers, goes a long way to speaking that this information is not entirely true, and reinforces more of the idea that "expensive = better" not "best energy regardless of appearance = better." As we all know, doctors with state-of-the-art, expensive tools and materials aren't always better or more adept than the ones with less, so why would somebody reinforce the same with gemstone healing?

I'll admit, these first two themes were reinforced so often and with such inflexibility (the only thing about what was in these books in terms of crystal application that I thought was completely rigid and inflexible in the eyes of the author) and it was a frequent irritation for me. If you happen to agree with these two stances, or are neutral on the subject, maybe it'll be less of an irritation for you than it was for me. But after awhile, I just wanted to say "ENOUGH ALREADY!"

3. There were a couple of times where the book kind of went off on what I suspect were personal or pet issues of the author and the vessel, and it seemed more like political statements than the genuine revelation of a Gemstone Guardian. For example, during the discussion with the Guardian of Rhodochrosite, there was a rather long tangent (initiated by the author who asked questions on the topic) about toxic waste dumps, how it was to the planet like drugs are to human beings, and how to get people to stop harming the earth through toxic waste dumps. A tangent I found odd, since Rhodochrosite was theoretically to cure emotional patterns that were destructive and increase emotional and personal knowledge. In fact, it was even said at one point that the Guardian was on a tangent, which made the whole thing look and read even odder. I guess I didn't get why, if one is communing with the Gemstone Guardian of emotional issues, why you'd bring up questions about toxic waste dumps. For that matter, there were several questions asked by the author that I thought to myself "You're talking to this great entity, and you're asking *that?*" Such as the author asking a question of a Gemstone Guardian (Purple Rainbow Fluorite) that was already completely and satisfactorily answered by the Gemstone Guardian of Quartz. Truthfully, there was at times a great deal of redundancy in what was being said by the Guardians and what was being asked by the author.

But perhaps that's my personal perception and irritation, and we all have our own questions we'd ask if we were faced with such beings, and the questions others ask are never as satisfying as the ones you'd ask yourselves. :)

I'm glad I read this book, and I do think it was incredibly interesting, though certainly this book isn't for everybody. I wouldn't dream of suggesting this book to somebody who's new to the concept of crystal healing, or somebody who hasn't gotten their techniques and beliefs down pat first. This is not a book for beginners (unless this is the only book they'll ever read on the subject), as I'd venture to guess most beginners would find it incredibly difficult to sort through and apply, especially when they start to compare information from a variety of sources and find a lot of it contradicts this book. I'd also suspect that those looking for a more clinical and straight-forward explanation of the function of crystals and healing would be irritated by the fantasy novel-like aspects that go into the descriptions of the Gemstone Guardians, their roles, and the uses and roles of the crystals, and would find it frustrating to sort through all of that fantasy and fiction to get to the information they're after. But for those who like a little fantasy to break up the monotony of crystal healing books, or for those interested the spiritual revelations of another in the field of Gemstone Healing, or those who are just interested in the mystical self-help genre, I'd say you'll probably enjoy this book. Not the best out there, but certainly not the worst...
"
~ Written on 2007-08-21

"I am not into the magical and mystical powers of gemstones. From the review I read, I was prepared for a book naming and showing all types of gems along with some beliefs and meanings of color and gemstones for my jewelry designs. I would not recommend unless you are interested in Wicca and forms of mysticism and magic."
~ Written on 2007-08-03