Crystal Lore, Legends & Myths

The Fascinating History of the World's Most Powerful Gems and Stones

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Pub Date 26 Mar 2019 | Archive Date 1 May 2019

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Description

To access the power of crystals, you must know their stories. Crystal Lore, Legends & Myths presents the fascinating histories and legends of the world's crystals—from the first “mother” civilizations of Lemuria and Atlantis through Ancient Egypt, India, Greece, and Rome right up to the present day.

Crystals, gems, and semi-precious stones have long been sought for their beauty, power, and utility. Historically used as adornments, currency, talismans, and amulets, crystals have been reputed through the ages to bestow magic and power on the user. However, in order to fully harness each stone’s unique power, one must know the unique legends and lore attached to it.

Every stone has a narrative or key that unlocks its power. In Crystal Lore, Legends & Myths, leading crystal expert and metaphysical teacher Athena Perrakis presents the fascinating history of the world’s most powerful stones. Organized chronologically, and anchoring the journey in seminal moments, contexts, and civilizations that played important roles, learn the history, properties, and how to access wisdom from the crystals of: Atlantis and Lemuria; Egypt and Mesopotamia; India; Minoa, Greece, and Rome; Aaron’s breastplate from the Bible; interdimensional awareness; quantum healing; and the zodiac. Among them, discover:
  • Lemurian seed quartz crystals, said to be implanted with wisdom by Lemurian high priests and priestesses set to be activated long after their civilization’s doomed fate.
  • Tourmaline, which, according to ancient Egyptian legend, formed in the center of the Earth before passing through a rainbow on its way to the Sun.
  • Cat’s eye chrysoberyl, which was used for protection among ancient Roman soldiers in battle. In Asia and the Middle East, it is recommended to protect against the evil eye.
  • Pitdah or topaz, which ancient people believed would bring long life and prosperity and carried the illumination of God within, and was the second stone in Moses’s brother Aaron’s breastplate.

Crystal Lore, Legends & Myths brings the history of gemstones and crystals to life in a way that honors the magic and mystery of a romance with gems that stretches back millennia. Learn the fascinating stories of how gems and minerals were used to raise power, store wisdom and secret teachings, and give incredible healing—and tap into the powers of the crystals yourself!

To access the power of crystals, you must know their stories. Crystal Lore, Legends & Myths presents the fascinating histories and legends of the world's crystals—from the first “mother”...

Marketing Plan

Key Campaign Activity Longlead feature pitch to top MBS outlets

Trade: Review copies to Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Retailing Insight Magazine

Consumer: Leverage author social (facebook 600k, Instagram 95k) and e-newsletter for promotions, pre-order campaigns, giveaways DRC review pitch to New Age Journal, New Dawn Magazine, Awakenings, Conscious Lifestyle Magazine, Retailing Insight magazine, Spirituality & Health, Spirituality & Practice, Watkins, Mindful, Elephant Journal Digital push (emphasize the history included in the book with excerpts available) to top online media, including Bustle, HuffPost, MindBodyGreen, Paste, PopSugar, Refinery20, SELF, Vogue, goop, Bust Goodreads giveaway Pitch with UG to Chakras (same author) Book trailer at QuartoKnows/Sage Goddess

Key Campaign Activity Longlead feature pitch to top MBS outlets

Trade: Review copies to Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Retailing Insight Magazine

Consumer: Leverage author social (facebook 600k...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781592338412
PRICE US$22.99 (USD)

Average rating from 23 members


Featured Reviews

I love this book. So insightful about crystals and their stories, and lots of pictures to boot. My only negative was I wanted to learn even more about certain crystals! But knew the author couldn't get into specifics, since there were so many.

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Perhaps not for the beginner, this crystal book should definately tickle the fancy of most crystal collectors and practitioners. Most interesting is Perrakis's inclusion of crystal mythology. Crystals chosen are accompanied with legends from places such as ancient Eygpt, India, Rome and even the bible to name a few. Some will get a kick out of the Atlantis Lemurian Annuki stories, or it may just be a little too cray cray for some. The book concludes with a beautiful outdoor crystal grid meditation connecting your crystals back to the womb of Earth. This book has certainly intrigued me to investigate some of the rarer crystals listed.

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This is the book regarding crystals I have been looking for! Athena Perraks goes into about each crystal including where it was found and any lore behind the stone. This isn't just another guide to crystals, this is informative information that helps explain why crystals have become popular. Each crystal is pictured in beautiful detail and I went away with understanding, I hadn't gotten anywhere else.

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If you read this book in an Adobe reader, you might be frustrated. I spent an inordinate amount of time squinting to reap in the wisdom. It has lots of that.

In fact, I've never seen so much germane information for those of a spiritual slant.

It inspired me to collect 4 crystals.

Fascinating. Intelligent. Lots to learn.

Interestingly enough, I caught glimpse of a review bite that stated that this book may not be for beginners. Maybe. But, it doesn't resonate with me.

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This 180+ page reference book will introduce readers to incredible information about several of the crystals used all over the world. It is divided into eight chapters: the first five-chapters tackles crystals that might be used during the old times; while the last three chapters are about crystals that can be used for healing, crystals for interdimensional awareness, and crystals of the zodiac.

Those who are crystals enthusiasts will find some facts included to be not new for them, especially the latter part, because they may have read them already on some other book. But I reckon the first several chapters of the book is quite informative and will get engaged them to read because of the history behind the crystals enlisted. Either you are a novice or expert, this another amazing book about crystals is a must-have for those who are into new age practice such as Reiki healing and those who love to collect crystals.

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As a relative newbie in this life to crystals and their uses, I found this a brilliant starter. The history was interesting and the structure of the chapters, focusing on each area of mythology was very useful for reference.

I have always been drawn to crystals and now I've got some ideas on which ones I'd like to buy first and use in my meditations.

I think this will be a great history and guide book for both beginners and more advanced practitioners of crystals. I loved it.

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This is a useful reference with interesting stories attached to each crystal. An enjoyable read, something for every new or seasoned crystal collector.

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I was given this book by NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review! Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity.

If you love Crystals and the idea surrounding it, then you'll love having this book in your collection. It's fun to break out when you have guest over to explain your crystal collection. It's also very informative and descriptive of what each crystal does. Some of my favorites are Amethyst, Citrine and Lapis. It's interesting to know that Cleopatra used Lapis in her breast plate to give her divine wisdom and truth. She also crushed it into powder and used it as eyeshadow.

As the author describes the power and energy each crystal boosts, they also provide a story of how a legend in history used these crystals to give them the power they desired, or the energy they wanted to gain. I recommend this book, for those who want to learn more about crystals in depth.

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There are a lot of crystals books that focus on the metaphysical properties or working with crystals to better your life, but this is the first book I've read that delves into the historical connections humanes have with stones. By looking at how humans through history have interacted and looked at the crystals we still use today, we can get a better insight into their properties and it connects us to our ancestors. It also showed me how the gifts of mother earth have been seen as special, magical objects for thousands of years, helping to validate their power. Athena has a way of making information easily digestible and a pleasure to read about and the only critique is I wanted to learn even more! A great edition to my metaphysical library.

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This is the crystal book that needed to be written - there are many crystal books about the metaphysical properties, but a compilation of history, folklore, and legends of crystals was lacking. I'm so glad Dr. Athena Perrakis was the person to finally publish this type of book! The photos are lovely supplement, but it's the content that really makes this book such a treasure and a joy to read. The organization of the material is easily divided into geographical region, with additional sections such as the crystals of the zodiac. It is written in a clear and concise manner, and I could not put it down! I found myself appreciating my crystal collection a lot more and I can't wait to read her future books she has planned.

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Highly interesting read and some fascinating mythology I hadn't heard about before which made me want to investigate further.

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Crystal Lore, Legends & Myth by Athena Perrakis explores crystal lore from around the world. The leanings are definitely magickal, and the very first chapter discusses Lemuria and Atlantis. The rest of the chapters progress through major human civilisations/ time eras from Sumerians to modern times. The final chapters explore things like quantum healing, zodiacal associations, and using crystals to access Earth wisdom. Each chapter has background, a chart of relevant gems, and a deeper look at each gem in the chart. There are also gorgeous pictures of the crystals.

Even given my own pagan/ magickal outlook, I had trouble with the first chapter. Plato's Atlantis was a story, not a reality. There is absolutely no archaeological evidence to support the existence of either Lemuria or Atlantis. Nor do I hold much truck with the notion of ancient aliens that sparked human civilisation. No, son. There's an equal lack of archaeological evidence to support that ridiculous idea.

Frisson with Chapter 1 aside, I enjoyed learning about the gemstones. Many I was already familiar with, but several were new to me. I found some new ones to work with myself, including atlantisite, for its healing properties. I was sold at 'helps with chronic/ persistent health problems'.

There are lots of neat facts scattered throughout too. I had no idea that Emperor Tiberius enjoyed gardening, for one. It covers the stones in the Breastplate of Aaron, the most in-depth I've read about before. That was quite interesting.

***Many thanks to Netgalley and Quarto Publishing for providing an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

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I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I have to say I have always loved crystals and gemstones. I love the stories behind them and how they are used. This book talks about lost places and stones named over those locations. There is myths and legends. I liked the second on zodiac and the months and crystals that belong with each. I read my horoscope almost daily. Good read.

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