Written in a simple, easy to understand style. Does not take itself too seriously and is very enjoyable reading for fans of crystals.

Crystal Wisdom is definitely on my "top ten" list of books I reccommend for crystal lovers. Whether you're looking for a good introduction to the crystalline realms, seeking to deepen your knowledge of individual crystal properties or even looking for material for you own crystal workshops, Crystal Wisdom offers abundant, well written material. This book contains easily the best crystal meditations and exercises I've found to date: the section on how to attune oneself to crystal energies is superb, the chapter on healing a masterpiece , and Dolfyn's advise on how to encounter the Crystal Teaching Spirits is elegantly simple. The entries on individual crystals definitely expanded my understanding of each named crystal's nature and my only complaint would be that he author has not (to date) published a second volume!

This is one of the best books I have read on crystals. This is a must have, reference book, for anyone involved with crystals. Gives great detail for various forms and types of crystals. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

Wonderful! Simple tips for creating a peaceful and nurturing environment without having to read through pages and pages of 'WHY'. Short and sweet (but thorough) and small enough to keep at my desk for office use, as well! Fabulous colors throughout covering topics from 'Home' to 'Love' - and we could all use a little more 'Love'.........

One of my friends in Chicago practices Feng Shui in her home, office, even her car. What I find when I visit her is a sense of peace. I've carried this little pocket edition from country to country, shared it with my troops, and given many copies away. Facing an enemy is made easier by the bond we share through common knowledge.

Feng (wind) Shui (water) is the Chinese art or practice of positioning objects to complement the patterns of yin and yang. This wonderful little book can fit in the back pocket of your jeans, yet the text is not so small that you need a magnifying glass to see what it says.

Feng Shui has gained popularity in this New Age in which we live. The philosophy, however, is ancient and respected Chinese Art. Although it takes years to master Feng Shui, this little red book is filled with tips that are easy for any beginner, such as I am, to create a more peaceful and energetic environment.

Not all of the tips answer the question "why," but some do. I think this is part of the philosophy, for how can anyone explain art or trust? There are many topics covered in this book, including sustenance, light and reflection, water, color and scent, nature, and more.

These are some of the tips. (1) Goldfish represent wealth and fertility and should never be placed in the kitchen or bedroom. (2) Get rid of the clutter because "hoarding creates stale energy." (3) Sharp corners and angles in your furniture create a disruptive flow, while rounded objects create harmony. (4) Cool colors create passive energy while warm tones are energetic and passionate. (5) Keep your windows clean to enhance clarity and vision.

This little book of art and philosophy are filled with golden nuggets. For me, it is 5 stars.

Victoria Tarrani

Sally Roberts has done an excellent job of weaving fact and fiction. The story line in The Legend of Crystal Lake is fasinating. This book left me wanting to do research on Texas history. Both young and old will enjoy this story.

THE LEGEND OF CRYSTAL LAKE, by Sally A. Roberts, is a delightful blend of adventure and history. Set in the 1820's, the author uses the developing character of twelve-year-old Sarah Kensington to paint a detailed picture of the hardship endured by those living on the Texan Frontier. Sarah, grief stricken by the loss of her mother, is uprooted from her native England and forced to make a new life with her cousin, Jane Wilkinson Long, in Texas. With her father a virtual stranger and her older sister smitten by Karl, a Prussian explorer, she regards her pet swan, Celina, as her only true friend. The journey across the Atlantic is long and hard. Entrusted to carry on the Kensington family tradition as royal swan keeper, Sarah battles sickness and rough conditions on the high seas to fulfill her promise to her mother. But challenges continue when Sarah reaches mainland America. The journey from New Orleans to San Antonio is fraught with danger and adversity. Sarah struggles to keep her beloved swans alive as she guides the lead wagon across swollen rivers and discovers her own strengths and weaknesses. When an attack on their wagon train leaves them low on supplies and a frightened Celina takes flight, Sarah is distraught. Will she ever see Celina again? To add to the family's distress, Jane receives word that her husband, James, has been killed in Mexico and she must reach San Antonio to secure her pension. Wagon-master Randal Jones, who has plenty of experience on the frontier, announces that they are down to one day's supply of fresh water. Now the group must make a major decision. Do they follow Randal in search of water and veer off course to an old campsite on the San Marcos River? THE LEGEND OF CRYSTAL LAKE is a wonderfully crafted tale of endurance and triumph. With larger than life characters and colorful description, a reader cannot fail to gain insight into the challenges of life on the frontier. Sally A. Roberts weaves a magical mixture of fact and fiction. I look forward to reading more from this talented author.

This book is truly a historical fiction written for both young and old. Not only does the author seamlessly weave into her story the events and frontier conditions of Texas in the early 1800's; she enables the reader to clearly envision this historical period by means of imagery and figurative language. However, the fictional aspect is the integral part of this book. For the physical, emotional, and personal journey of Sarah, a young girl pledged to fulfill the promise made to her dying mother, is of paramount importance. This promise to care for her beloved swans and to establish a home for them in the New World motivates Sarah to courageously face the many dangers encountered as she and her family travel to and settle in Texas. These many adventures will appeal to the young reader, as will Sarah's friendship with the young slave girl, Ki, whose dialect is thoroughly delightful, and who is strangely "free." Hispanic culture, language, and customs are inherent in this historical landscape, as Texans and Mexicans together struggle against Spanish rule. This multicultural aspect, along with the epilogue, glossary, and suggested reading list add to the authenticity and excellence of this book. . Although the author is my dear sister, I am an educator who has been in contact with students for nearly twenty years. I can vouch for the literary and historical value of this book. In parting, I would like to quote a few passages for your enjoyment:

"Sarah gazed at the ship's wake, which formed a furrow in the ocean swells like a ribbon unraveling farther and farther from its spool of security in England." (p.9)

". . . then came to the banks of a narrow river. This must be the San Marcos River that Randal talked about, she thought. Sarah pictured the story he had shared about how James Long and his men lived by its banks after escaping from the Spanish army. She followed the river upstream, skirting the boulders that rose like monoliths in the moonlight. She made her way around the cyprus roots sprouting from the limestone-encrusted cliffs. The feathery fronds of the cyprus leaves brushed against her face from the branches that draped over the stream, now no more than a trickle." (pp. 54-55)

This book was very good and has many suspects. It keeps the reader on the edge of her seat. You don't know who did it, or if you think you do, it's probably wrong. I was. If you are a fan of riddles, read this book.

I really liked this book because I couldn't put it down until I had read the whole book and knew who the bad guy was.I couldn't believe who it was. To find out read the book.

This was a great suspenseful book. You will think that you know who "did it" but you will surprised to find out who really did! It is a wonderful book that involves poisening, threats and a oylimpic competetion.

This is a well-written, well-organized book. It appears to be an attempt to make Dzogchen teaching more accessible, for example, via the episodes from early in Namkhai Norbu's life.

Direct, written teachings of Dzogchen seem to be highly concentrated and mind-blowing, for example "Self-Liberation through Seeing with Naked Awareness", an old text translated by John M. Reynolds and Norbu's own "The Mirror". Each of these texts is accompanied by less terse commentary. It seems to be the expectation that any student of Dzogchen would also receive instruction ("transmission") from a Dzogchen teacher, to account for individual differences between students and, presumably, to help clear up whatever confusion the written texts may have led to. Dzogchen seems to be a substantial challenge, said in not too many words but not unlikely leading to a wealth of questions. A book like this one, "The Crystal and the Way of Light", probably functions to lessen the intensity and make the teaching more comfortable, at least until one is ready to face the challenge of the core teaching.

Despite the formidable challenge of Dzogchen, it is a teaching that emphasizes relaxation and acceptance. I've had no personal instruction in Dzogchen and it may be for those who do it seems substantially less confusing and overwhelming than it has for me. Judging from the number of books by him and in which he has supplied commentary, Norbu seems to be doing a great deal to make Dzogchen more accessible. His Dzogchen Community has chapters around the world.

This book seems a good introduction to Dzogchen, which is a curious and perhaps contradictory mix of mindfulness (to the extreme) and magic (e.g. the rainbow body). The teaching seems well-packaged, with an emphasis on amazement. Dzogchen can be found within Buddhism but also within Bon, another Tibetan religion. It's unclear to what extent Dzogchen elements were brought from Buddhism into Bon (and vice versa). Nevertheless, Dzogchen talk of awareness seems to mostly map into Thervada talk of mindfulness, with some "enhancements" in positive imagery like the sky, rainbows, and crystals.

Whether any of Norbu's books or teachings or any other on Dzogchen can help get you to this "magnificent sameness" I don't know. It seems attractive but I seem to need a more step by step approach and wonder about this big wow approach. Although Dzogchen is supposedly beyond institutional and cultural barriers, Norbu's Dzogchen Community seems heavily attached to Tibetan forms.

I recommend this book to anyone sincerely interested in Dzogchen teaching. The author, Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche, is a worlwide renouned teacher, scholar and above all a Dzogchen practitioner. Not only he expounds the theoretical basis of the teaching, he gives us a lot of examples from his own life of practice. WARNING: THIS BOOK IS DANGEROUS FOR YOUR EGO!!!

John Shane compiles and edits The Crystal And The Way Of Light, considering the spiritual path from the viewpoint of Dzogchen. From the foundations of Dzogchen practices and the author's familiarity with its philosophy and spirituality to symbols of Tibetan meditation and photos of Buddhist masters, this is filled with insights.

If Llewellen had better editors, this would be a better book. There's a lot of useful information, techniques, and ideas for using crystal balls and bowls. This may also be the first occult book ever to include a maze with a rabbit chasing after a carrot. (There's a reason for it. The mazes are intended to train your psychic perceptions.) However, the book is poorly organized and edited. There are multiple redundancies of phrase such as "free choice". Sections which appear to depend on certain techniques being mastered are included before the techniques are explained. For instance, it seems common sense to put sections on attuning with the energy of a crystal ball before trance techniques intended to contact an anthropormorphized version of the ball's "angel". If you reverse the process, you'll just be projecting your ideas of what the "angel" is like. The second section is just plain garbled. I found myself having to read paragraphs two or three times just to figure out what Andrews was trying to say. It looks like he was trying to pack information into the section, and couldn't quite figure out where it fit. This is, of course, part of an editor's job. If something doesn't fit where it is, suggest a way to move it or create another subsection where it might find a home. It's a shame that such useful information has to be put together so poorly. But it IS useful, and I recommend the book to anyone interested in crytsal gazing, so long as they're patient and willing to seperate the wheat from the chaff.

I enjoyed this book as much as possible. Ted Andrews can explain anything in lamens terms so that you can understand it. Aside from crystal balls and bowls it contains several good meditation and pendulum exercises.

This book has wonderful exercises for the beginner and gives helpful hints to the experienced scryer also. The book not only discusses crystal balls and crystal bowls, but also touches on water divination and mirror gazing as well. I'd recommend it to anyone.

Connal MacArren is one of the first of his world to leave the planet and travel through space. He would never have ventured out at all if it weren't for his dratted kinsman, Garris, who left without telling anyone goodbye. All he left was a cryptic note saying that he was going to see the Dreamweaver Liandra Tavor. Liandra is an Asarian, one of a small race who can walk the dreamscape and find answers for people in dreams. She is sure that this Garris never made it to see her, though it is true that he may have been traveling to see her, but she cannot persuade Connal that she knows nothing of Garris' whereabouts. Connal quickly tires of Liandra's game of pretending not to know anything and kidnaps her to return to his home planet of Caledonia. If Liandra will not tell Connal where Garris is, perhaps a little imprisonment might change her mind...

Liandra is determined to hate Caledonia. They are so primitive there. They eat animals and plants, pick flowers, do their own cleaning and seem to not use machines hardly at all! How have they escaped the notice of the League for so long? Even though she gradually comes to care for Caledonia and its people, she is determined to escape for there is something terribly wrong in the dreamscape. Whenever she tries to search for Garris in her dreams, she feels an alien presence that is trapping other Asarians so they can never leave. She fears for her people and wants desperately to contact her father with this information, but Connal does not want anyone else to of Caledonia's existence. However, he finds himself softening as he spends more time with Liandra. Maybe aliens are not as bad as he has always thought? Still, he is positive that Liandra is nothing but a glorified prostitute who is willing to have anyone into her mind and into her bed. With Connal determined to think the worst of Liandra and Liandra trying to escape to free her people at every opportunity, will these two ever get around to admitting their feelings for one another?

This book was interesting because it is basically a historical romance set in space. Connal MacArran is a typical clan chieftain of Scotland with Liandra an outsider who finds herself falling in love with a new way of life. I love Highland romances and so was excited to read this book and I was not disappointed. The author deftly blends the traditional Highland setting with the idea of aliens and mind powers. If you enjoy either Highland or Futuristic romance, give this book a shot - I think that you will like it!

When I first read the premise for this book, I thought how will this plot line ever work? But, it works very well. The story line keeps you guessing on what will happen next. The characters are fully developed and believable. Connal is the original Alpha-male and Liandra is an excellent match for him in every way. This book will definately find a spot on my "keeper" shelf.

The Review:
An opponent lies disguised far in the passionless deepness of space ready to obliterate Caledonian Chieftain Connal MacArran. MacArran must protect his world. In doing so he is propelled into an affiliation with Liandra Tavor a mentor with the League of Worlds. Connal is both fascinated and repulsed by the mythical libido the foreign enchantress is said to embody. The green haired Asarian dreamweaver has never experienced anything to match the feeling she realizes as she dreamshares with Connal on her crystal bed.

On the surface MacArran's task appears quite fundamental. He will avail himself of Liandra's exceptional powers to find a missing clansman Garris then flee from her as soon as his assignment is completed. As with most simple designs little goes according to plan. Liandra's life is threatened. Connal faces the fury of his clan when he takes her with him to his world. The planet, which refuses to confederate with the League of Worlds has been kept obscured to preclude foreign adulteration. Liandra is no more pleased to be with Connal than he appears to enjoy as her captor. Once Liandra realizes where she has been brought Connal decides she must never leave. MacArran's absolute intractability toward contact with other cultures and his intolerance against aliens clouds his reason. He continues to oppose Liandra and when she attempts to escape punishes her then warns others of his clan against her as an alien. At times he is a difficult person to understand. Liandra is from a race that is very aware of their own sensuality. They do ultimately join completely with one man forever. Liandra has never felt any real attraction to a man until she finds herself head to toe with MacArran during their mind dream in their attempt to find Connal's kinsman. The pair is attacked during the dream by alien creatures leaving Liandra unconscious and MacArran facing the notion that it is either take her with him or leave her there to die. He needs her abilities; he takes her with him. Neither wants to admit the growing affinity they feel for the other.

In Crystal Dreams writer Cooper presents an unconventional science fiction type romance filled with an abundance of engaging characters and situations. Nineteenth century Scot-English relationships are present in a well-designed universe. The two principal planets are well developed by writer Cooper. This is not the usual science fiction offering. The romance emerges against a convincing backdrop of dreadful evil and other world detail. As presented in Crystal Dreams Liandra is a supposable personality filled with enough angst to keep her engaging. MacArran and his hardheaded notions become a bit ennui after a time. Even with my Scottish ancestry there were moments that I found myself wanting to 'smack him up aside the head' as he continues to oppose Liandra despite awareness that she is not 'tainting' his world.

Crystal Dreams is a well written page turner which draws readers right into the account from the opening page and carries them on a roller coaster ride of agitation through the tale and on down to the final paragraph. A nice book for a lazy summer's reading in the hammock. Not for everyone. Those who enjoy romance and/or futuristic science fiction will enjoy the tale.

Reviewed by: molly martin

The Crystal Garden is an awsome book. It starts out when Eliza and her mother are living together, along way away from her mothers boyfriend. But one day her moms boyfriend came over and ask them to move in at his house, a small pink trelier in the small town of Gouge eye.Eliza is kind of an out cast at school and see's this as her chance tho change her life and be
popular. When she gets there she becomes friends with a neighbor, Dreidre. Once school starts she began to hang with the popular kids, but she soon relized what was really goning on. The popular kids were using her and Burl,her moms boyfriend was using her moms money from the waitressing job she got at a small resturant in town. It ends up that Eliza finds her real frind Dre, and Eliza, her mom, dre, and dres mom all move in together in a small up town apartment.

Eliza and her mother, Lorna, start off on a new adventure to start over from the tragic loss of Eliza's father by moving to a pink trailer in the small town of Gouge Eye, Missouri. Eliza throughout this book takes a number of tests to get herself in the "popular" crowd, and try's to make her "science-book" minded friend Deirdre understand. Even though she puts her relationships with people around her at great risks, she finally understands what real friendship is.

Eliza and her mother move to a small town in Missouri hoping for a new start, but Eliza only finds old problems wearing new faces. A 1997-98 Mark Twain Award nominee, Vickie Grove is a master at capturing the emotions and difficulties growing children must learn to resolve.

I'm new to tarot and have the Universal Waite deck and bought this book to help me learn about using them. I found it not as helpful as I had hoped. I have since purchased "Learning the Tarot" by Joan Bunning and this is a whole lot better, for me. It gives much more indepth explainations for each card. In this book, Mastering the tarot, it's not a bad book by any means but it's a small paperback and therefore doesn't leave much room for explainations. It's a good book for beginner's but I prefer one that has more to offer.

I've read half a dozen tarot beginner's book or so in the past two years or so, and this is definitely the best I've seen.

The material is broken into 18 lessons, of which 7 cover the card meanings themselves (three for the minor arcana, one for the court cards, and three for the major arcana), and 6 cover spreading & reading the cards with examples.

The text is concise, and for each card there's a section explaining it's symbolism and meanings when straight and reversed. The explanations are solid - Eden Gray knows the material well, and draws on Waite's Pictorial Key to the Tarot and the Golden Dawn's Book T (an improvement over many authors who just babble whatever comes to their minds).

The book covers basic numerology and astrology, which gives a larger view and explains the explanations.

I highly recommend this book as a first study guide to anyone who learns to read with the Rider-Waite deck.

This book was recommended to me years ago. It is absolutely the best book for self-teaching Tarot and I have used it in all the classes I've taught. Gray does not just present card meanings, but the basis for the Tarot's symbolism. The book is set up in small, logical lessons. Starter reading patterns and sample readings are also included. Finally, it's also a great reference. For use with any standard Rider-Waite deck.

The fact that this guide is in Black and White makes some of the screenshots unclear and foggy like. Other than that the walkthrough is very detailed and the book fits just about anywhere. But if your looking for a guide with good detail go to Prima, or if your looking for a guide that goes beyond Strategy get the VERSUS BOOKS guide. But this has a very detailed walkthrough, just that the screenshots are fuzzy by the black and white.

Alright, this guide was worth the extra money I had to pay to get it with the "Pokemon Crystal" game. It did tell me some things I never new before, like how, depending on the pokemon you fight, your Pokemon's stats are effected. For example, if you fight a fast pokemon, it will give your pokemon's speed stat a workout. It will work as a guide for all three games. (Gold, Silver, Crystal) When there is a difference from gold or silver, it points it out in a conveinient little box. One thing you should be aware about, on the back cover, it does NOT say the stuff the person said in the editorial review. Here's what it really says (The guide is right in front of me): Be prepared to meet the new characters, solve the new puzzles, and face the new challenges added to the worlds of gold and silver! Wheather this is your first trip to Johto or you're a seasoned master, this essential guide reveals all the new features in pokemon crystal! -THREE GUIDES IN ONE! Step-by-step walkthrough takes you from start to finish in pokemon gold, silver, and Crystal! -COMPLETE COVERAGE! Solutions to Pokemon Crystal's new puzzles, rosters for every new trainer, how to capture Suicune, and MORE! -EXPERT TACTICS! Defeat every trainer and gym leader, earn all 16 badges! -PLUS - Combat and breeding tips, super-useful quick reference tables, and MUCH MORE!

That is EXACTLY what it says. No detailed info on pokemon stats. It does NOT tell you where to find pokemon. ... It does have a combat chart, complete move list, and complete item list. Overall, a decent 160-page guide.

This book is very helpful to help you with the crystal version. It is really neat too. It helps me figure out what do. I love it!