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Summary: This is THE metaphysical crystal and mineral book!
Review: "Love is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" is VERY thorough, covering information on the metaphysical properties of about 700 crystals and mineral. This is THE book to have.
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Summary: Unbeatable resource on Metaphysical properties of Gemstones
Review: Anybody who works with the metaphysical properties of Gemstones, Crystals, and the like can tell you that the best way to figure out what properties a gemstone has is to sit down, become familiar with the stone, and feel what the stone will do for you. But what do you do if you're in a store holding onto a chunk of Calaverite and you don't have the time (or privacy) to determine what properties the stone will hold?? Enter "Love is in the Earth, A Kaleidoscope of Crystals" by Melody. I don't think I've ever been in a store that sold Gemstones, Minerals, or Crystals that didn't have a well worn copy of this book out for people to flip through.
I'm very deep into working with Gemstones and Crystals and I have a library's worth of books dedicated to the use of Gemstones and Crystals in all sorts of metaphysical applications, from Reiki Healing to Wiccan Ritual right on down the line. But time and time again I chuck aside everything else in favor of this book. Why??? Because this book has 726 pages of detail and dedication covering the metaphysical properties of seemingly every stone from Acanthite to Zunyite. I don't think I've ever looked up a stone that wasn't covered in this book. I think this book is absolutely fantastic, the epitome of everything a metaphysical gemstone book should have to offer. I have recommended this book at least a dozen times and I'll recommend it a dozen more times. If you collect stones, work with stones, or are just curious about what Gemstones could possibly do for you and your environment (other than look beautiful, of course), then this book is an absolute must have.
There are, however, some basic flaws that although at times frustrating, you can easily work around. First being that this is certainly not a field guide, it's a reference book. So unfortunately, this book isn't a great book to shove in your purse and use when you go to your favorite stone store. This used to be a bigger problem for me than it is now, but since I've found the Crystals, Gems, and Healing Stones charts by Inner Light Resources Inc, I use those for quick on-the-go reference instead of Melody's book. And this would be a bigger problem if most gemstone stores didn't carry a reference copy of this book. :D
Second being that if you don't know the name of the stone you want to look up, this book will be overwhelming. There are no color pictures for reference so you can identify the stone you have in your hands, and when you don't know the name of the stone you want to look up, suddenly you're not that excited that this book has over 250 stone properties contained in its pages... :)
Lastly, I wish beyond wishes that Melody had put the hardness of the stones in her descriptions of the stones. I know that it isn't possible to list every hardness, but the hardness for the basics would have been ridiculously helpful. But again, the Crystals, Gems, and Healing Stones 4 chart set came to my rescue. ;)
If you're looking for a book that contains all things metaphysical on gemstones and crystals, this is your book. If you're looking for factual, scientific breakdowns of what makes your favorite stone the way it is, you're probably better off finding another book, like any one of the numerous Audubon books on the subject. If you're a beginner into the world of metaphysical properties of stones, this book might be overwhelming and you may want to start off with something simpler, like Scott Cunningham's Encyclopedia of Crystal, Gem, and Metal Magic. However, after you outgrow those books, you'll be happy to have Melody on your bookshelf!! :D You won't outgrow this one very fast!!
However, nothing beats finding out what stones do for you through meditation and experimentation. After you've got your new stone home with you and this book has shown you a basic outline of what to expect, it's best to figure out what it will do for you personally instead of relying on what Melody says they should do for you. Like people, stones are highly individualistic and nothing beats hands on personal experimentation.
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Summary: Possibly the best crystal guide on the market!
Review: As a practicing Wiccan and crystal/gem stone addict for over 10 years, my rock collection runs in the hundreds. This book has in depth info on almost every stone I have ever run across, and many I haven't. This is a "must have" book for every serious crystal practitioner!
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Summary: The BIBLE
Review: blessings all, i have a vast array of books regarding crystals, stones, and minerals, and this one is by far the most extensive! A-Z and everything but the kitchen sink...Melody sure knows her minerals, and gives nice long (sometimes too long lol)descriptions of properties;scientific,mythological,and metaphysical.the borders of most of my pages in this very long book are all marked up with notes and experiences and such...its priceless to me.i want to take it everywhere!only two small drawbacks: 1.) no pictures and 2.)no mention of how certain crystals and stones can deplete energies and should be used with caution based on toxicity...(i would imagine anyone owning this book may have other books and their own intuition to guide them, however...)other than that, wondeeeeful!
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Summary: Absolute Nonsense
Review: Effective healing requires wisdom and understanding of the methods and tools utilized in healing. "Love Is In the Earth" is groundless, "made up" thoughts regarding minerals which have very legitimate, effective healing properties. Skip this "New Age" nonsense and look to Michael Gienger's "Crystal Power, Crystal Healing" or Ronald Bonewitz' "Way of Crystal Healing," both of which are grounded in realistic science, centuries/millenia-old folk traditions, AND intuitive application of healing tools.
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Summary: A Must for any Crystal Lover!!!
Review: I am a Crystal Healer and have always found this book to be extremely helpful and recommend it to any true crystal lover. You must remember when reading that we all are unique and different and so is each individual crystal. Melody has tried to address the overall meaning of each stone which is very helpful in confirming your own intuition and to help those that don't yet trust their instincts when they feel they need some Gem Healing! Wonderfully done Melody! Blessings to you.
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Summary: Why not say every stone can do everything?
Review: I bought this book because so many reviews said this was the bible. But I have to disagree. It is true that probably every stone you could think of is mentioned. However, Ms. Jackson is so indiscriminative of the attributes she gives each stone that they all appear to do everything. For example "Phenacite" can "stimulate the 3rd eye" (but she says that of most of the stones)"facilitates deep meditation", "promoting an inner knowing" "bring the way of love" "the way of heavenly being into physical reality" "excellent stone for healing" (yep - they all are) "clearing" (yep they all are) "cleansing" etc. ... And she goes on for three more paragrpahs listing that it does just about everything. Probably the best way to know what a stone does is to clear your connection to the universe, ask, and listen to your answer. But if you want a book about it, you may want to look at ones that are a little more discerning.
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Summary: Love Is in the Earth: A Kaleidoscope of Crystals
Review: I bought this book years ago and found it at first useful to some extent. But you really have to intuitively pick through the words to find the gems and the relevance to the crystals' use in your particular situation in order to use it to full effect.
One passage in the lengthy explanation might be all that you needed to know, and all that is relevant. That might be difficult for those with less developed intuitive skills. The book focuses on positives only, so you don't get some of the other information available, but just ok for beginners who want a basic reference and don't need a pictorial guide.
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Summary: The first COMPLETE reference for crystals and minerals
Review: I found this book in 1995, and my copy is now a well-thumbed book with notes in the margins. I look upon it as the crystal healer's Bible. I have had it for almost ten years now, and it is still the most up-to-date reference I can find. I would love to see yet another updated edition from Melody. A must for anyone who is interested in the healing power of crystals and minerals.
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Summary: Fascinating book! I keep going back to it all the time!
Review: I have always had an interest, but no real knowlege of crystals. This book has been a tremendous help. It's all raggedy and dog-eared by now. I can't stop peaking in for yet more information! And always I learn something new. It's a great book for anyone interested in all aspects of crystals.
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