Crystal Ball: Stones, Amulets, and Talismans for Power, Protection, and Prophecy author: Sibyl Ferguson and Witch Bree Red Wheel/Weiser/Conari,br> 2005 ISBN #1-57863-348-6 I am very impressed with the style and presentation of this book. Part 1 is the work of the late Sibyl Ferguson, and covers her original (1979) text on the history of the crystal ball as a divining tool, how to care for your crystal ball, and how to process the phenomenon that you see when divining. Part 2 is an expansion by Witch Bree on the foundation that Sibyl Ferguson set down. It is quick paced, and filled with crystal lore, suggestions on how to use your crystals, and how to develop a personal connection with the crystal world. Part 1 is not only well written, but obviously well researched. The thoughts here come from working with crystal divination, not from reading about it. One of the interesting things noted here, and certainly is a product of its time, is that crystal gazing is in no way harmful to the health of the practitioner. It is made clear from the first page that a potential practitioner needs to take this work seriously, and show respect for it. Where the crystal ball should be kept (in a room of its own), that it should be covered with a black cloth when not in use (this was new to me), and the specific manner in which it should be cleaned are discussed. There is also an emphasis placed on not having the crystal ball handled indiscriminately: only the practitioner should have their hands on the ball. In discussing how to use a crystal ball, Ferguson indicates that the following three things are of major importance: belief, concentration, and patience. Having a comfortable chair to be seated in so that one is not distracted. She indicates that the best times of day for gazing are sunrise, midday and sunset. She further states that the night hours - from nine o'clock in the evening to dawn, should be avoided, as these are the hours in which the scryer (practitioner) should be renewing their own vital powers - either through sleep or through meditation. Ferguson goes on to discus the phenomenon of clouds appearing in the crystal ball, and how their significance changes by their location, color, and direction they are moving in. The images that appear on the right hand side of the crystal ball are of a symbolic nature, while those that appear on the left hand side are objects of significance in the life of the person asking the questions. Part 2 is equally well researched and well written, but comes from more modern times. We look at what stones, crystals and gems are, and at where their power comes from. The basic answer to where their energy comes from is their crystalline structure, which allows them to collect, store and release electromagnetic energy. In her section on choosing crystals, Witch Bree makes an excellent statement: investigate the stones/crystals that you are attracted to. My feeling here is that these would be the crystals that carry the energy that you can most easily access and work with, and are the energy that you need in your life at any specific time. (Which also means that what you are attracted to may change/expand over time.) The stones/crystals also get to "talk", in that there is a short section on what various crystals can do for you. Witch Bree also goes into the care and cleaning of crystals. For me, this is a sign of respect, and an integral part of working with them. There are many ways in which crystals can be used in everyday life. Prophecy, healing and protection are the first "hands on" areas that are discussed in Part 2. I liked this, as it imparts the serious nature of this work while still saying "This is fun, and can be an everyday part of life." How to choose a crystal ball, and how to take care of it are discussed in depth. There is also a very nice insert on specific crystals to use for psychic development. Working with pendulums, Rune stones and mirrors are also discussed. Each of these tools works in their own way to facilitate our personal growth. Different crystals are discussed, with an indication as to what their best use would be in our lives. Under Power and Protection, Witch Bree addresses Wands, Amulets, and Talismans. Again, we have a listing of what crystals will work best in specific situations. Under Healing, topics addressed are repairing your aura (sometimes we do not even realize that we have tears in our aura's that can be due to the people around us "taking" our energy, whether intentionally or not), pain relief prisms, laying on of stones/crystals and chakra stones/crystals. Colors and shapes, and what they signify, are also discussed. At the end of Part 2 we have an engaging discussion of a number of different crystals and their properties that acts as a very nice reference section. While this is a fairly basic book, there is a great deal of information here that gives a good foundation for further research. I found this to be an entertaining book, and one that was a treasure trove for those wishing to work in many different ways with the crystal people (crystals). © May 2005 Bonnie Cehovet Personal Lifestyle Reading - I offer a Personal Lifestyle Reading using Tarot that looks at past, present and future influences in your life, at the energies that are currently available to help you along your path, and at those energies that are appearing as challanges. My goal is to offer you insight into your decision making process, as well as tools that you can use to both better understand your path and make conscious, choice centered decisions. 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