Book Review-Crystals for Psychic Self Defense: 145 Gemstones for Banishing, Binding, and Magickal Protection by Nicholas Pearson
Book Review
Crystals for Psychic Self Defense: 145 Gemstones for Banishing, Binding, and Magickal Protection
By Nicholas Pearson
Publisher: Destiny Books
340 page E-Book
Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Crystals for Psychic Self Defense: 145 Gemstones for Banishing, Binding and Magickal Protection is a wonderful addition to anyone’s library, especially if they, like myself and so many others, work with crystals and gemstones for a myriad of reasons, especially self defense from magickal and psychic attack. As the world continues hitting hard, we as magickal folks must sometimes hit back. I’ve used crystals since the onset of my magickal and spiritual journey, and protection with them is one area I gravitate towards and specialize in. Protection magick is the foundation of my spiritual and magickal practices; you can’t manifest great things if you’ve got shitty energy clinging to you. Crystals can help with this.
Pearson’s approach to Crystal Magick, especially for protection, is much like mine; while I don’t utilize crystal grids often (and perhaps I should), I do find myself looking at synergy between various species, types or groups of crystals. To clarify, I don’t believe any crystals are inherently cursed, such as the myth with Opal, nor do I believe them to only be capable of workings considered “light”, i.e., healing works and the like. Pearson helps the reader build a solid, sound foundation in their protective crystal practices, starting with the basics of crystals, how to cleanse, program and activate them, and gives tips on different shapes, cuts and forms these gemstone allies can take, and their various purposes. Pearson covers everything within the magickal protection category, including warding the home, personal protection, reversal, binding and banishing, and even cursing, hexing or crossing with crystals, all with important pointers, considerations and ethical questions. I thoroughly appreciate Pearson’s easy to understand, down to earth approach to the subject, which makes this book excellent for beginner and experienced magi alike. Each section also has a list of crystals that are helpful for each purpose, intent, etc., and at the end of the book, all 145 gemstones are given descriptions, composition details, qualities and spiritual/metaphysical and magickal properties.
I chose to review this book out of curiosity, and have since imbibed many practices and new knowledge in my mineral, gem and crystal magick and pursuits. It’s helped me evolve my crystal practices, specifically in terms of my protection practices involving crystals. I’ve been able to expand my knowledge in regards to these subjects, and I’ve also found myself applying that knowledge in new ways, with new ways of thinking. One thing I particularly appreciated was Pearson’s questions to diagnose the specific nature of your spiritual or psychic malady; simple yes/no questions that can be answered by anyone willing to use a pendulum. As a side note, pendulums are often made of gemstones, crystals or minerals. My personal favorite pendulum is a sunstone faceted point-shaped one, made of Sunstone, that I’ve named “Sunny”.
I have absolutely no critiques of Crystals for Psychic Self Defense and as such I give it a 5/5 star rating. I’ll be returning to this trove of crystalline knowledge time and again. I would easily recommend this book to anyone pursuing a spiritual, mystical, metaphysical, psychic or magickal journey/path. The information contained within its pages applies to so many different parts of life, it’s too valuable not to have on your bookshelf! Well done, Mr. Pearson!
Nicholas Pearson has been immersed in every aspect of the mineral, gemstone and crystal world for nearly 30 years. He is award-winning author of several other books on the subject, including Crystal Basics. He offers online and in-person classes around the world. He lives in Orlando, Florida.
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Author Bio:
The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Poison Witch, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including those from Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism and Ceremonial Magick, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and he has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!
