Using stones in ritual or magical work is an ancient practice as anyone who has stood within the powerful confines of Newgrange can attest. The ancients civilizations of Egypt and its neighbors carved elaborate talismans and amulets for use in daily and sacred life. Such practices have continued through the ages crossing any divide of wealth or social status. The wealthy noble would recognize in the peasant's carved stone necklace the humble origin of his own gemstone jewelry.
Fourteen is an interesting number of stones to choose. Why not the magical 13? or 21? As it is, The Witching Stones is loaded with information and practical uses, as is usual for Pearson.
Each of the thirteen chapters is laid out in three parts covering flint, "hagstone," ammonite, echinoid (fossil urchin), salt, lodestone, lead, amber and jet, cross stone (a blend of chiastolite and staurolite), quartz, moonstone, emerald, and the legendary toadstone. Pearson recommends working with the stones in the order they were written. Doing so, he says,
It becomes an alchemical pilgrimage, beginning with humble flint and ending with the noble emerald. The magic you work along the way facilitates transformation inside and out to help you become the magic you seek. (p.10)
The first part, The Stone, tells the geology, history, and common use of the stone. The second part, The Lore, explores folklore, myths, and legends about each stone and illustrates how the stones were viewed as materials and allies for making magic. Finally, in The Craft, Pearson the third part explains the stones' usage as a magical tool. Within this part are more than fifty practices: spells, cures, and curses.
The Introduction offers the reader a bit of insight as to how Pearson conceived of the books format and how the reader might navigate the knowledge offered. It also includes a thorough discussion of various ways to cleanse and charge one's stones before using them. Finally, a true delight for those of us interested in delving deeper, there is an extensive bibliography of more than seventy books in which we can get to know these and other stones.
All of Pearson's previous works have been excellent; The Witching Stones continues that line of quality. I am deeply please to have this in my library!
~review by Lisa McSherry
Author: Nicholas Pearson
Red Wheel Weiser, 2025
pp. 288, $22.95
