I was given a free copy by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. For my full review please visit my blog: https://geeking-by.net/review/the-illustrated-crystallary-by-maia-toll/

As expected each crystal is depicted alongside stunning illustrations. Each of these is filled with symbolism which has been woven into the artwork. The result is a mixture of sublime and serene images that beautifully compliment the words on the pages. As I’d hoped The Illustrated Crystallary is the furthest thing from an encyclopedia then you’d expect. I’ve seen other reviews mention that this isn’t a book for beginners and honestly, I’d disagree; it depends on what you expect to get from this book. If you’re looking for a guide to crystals which explores what they are, what they do and how to use them then this is the wrong book. In that way it’s not an ideal book for a beginner looking to work with crystals, however, that’s because the book isn’t designed with that in mind.

In The Illustrated Crystallary, the crystals aren’t talked about factually; they are introduced to the reader as long lost friends. This level of personalisation distinguishes it from other books I’ve read and was reminiscent of self-help books, especially those on the topic of mindfulness. The messages within the pages of The Illustrated Crystallary is not one of the oversold self-help stereotypes, however. Rather Toll calls on a vast selection of resources, demonstrating brilliant research skills. From Victorian Britain to Taoism, Toll has lovingly put together this crystallary and it shows on each page. She has a way of bringing the information to life, of making it resonate and relatable to modern-day.

For once, crystals and minerals are not alien and mysterious lumps displayed in perfect photos with impersonal words smooshed together telling you how you can tap into their healing potential. Oh no, they’re old friends, reaching out through Toll to advise, reassure and encourage. They speak to us in whispers and anecdotes, reminding us of things we already know and tend to forget. They’ve been on longer journies than we have, Toll writes, have adorned kings and queens, and been forged in the earth. Emerald, for example, is described as a smoky cat who looks over her shoulder with “uncompromising eyes […] as she heads into the dark forest of yourself”. Each one has a message for us, and the way Toll brings these messages, and their stories to life aren’t hokey.

Each entry in the Crystallary follows a specific format; an introduction to the crystal/mineral, followed by a ritual and then a reflection. The rituals are grounded in spirituality rather than having any religious connotation. As a Pagan, I believe I noticed only one or two that felt specifically akin to Paganism. They reminded me more of mindfulness and meditation exercises, with a slight Pagan/Spiritual influence. The one thing I liked about this book was that there is absolutely no pressure to do any of the rituals or reflections. I got quite a lot out of the book just reading it and taking in the ideas and knowledge. The rituals themselves range from setting an intention for a day, carrying a crystal while you explore nature, practising gratitude, making a crystal elixir – as you can see it varies.

In comparison, the reflection section is much more passive and asks questions related to the messages that the crystals have for the reader. This section is designed to make you think, to make you look back over the information you’ve been given and as the title suggests ‘reflect’ upon it. Like the rest of The Illustrated Crystallary, I found the reflections to be insightful.

The Illustrated Crystallary is much more than just a book about crystals, and as I hoped, much more than just a book with pretty pictures. It’s a collection of resources all over the world, a melding of multiple cultures, spiritual philosophies, and historical facts collated to help guide the reader through whatever they need. That may be a dark time, trauma or just getting through one day at a time because that in itself is an accomplishment. The world is a dark and unnerving place right now, and books like The Illustrated Crystallary offer a new approach to looking at how we’re feeling. I appreciated the way Toll included information about stress, specifically about how our bodies are hardwired for fight-or-flight mode and how this affects our body. I previously learned about this on an NHS course about stress and it’s something that, in my opinion, needs to be more common knowledge.

So if you’re feeling a little lost right now The Illustrated Crystallary may be a unique and interesting way to think more mindfully and practice some self-reflection. I’m certainly going to give some of the rituals and reflections a try. ( )