Step into The Crystal Garden, where the aromatic scents of essential oils blend with the calming energy of crystals, creating a haven of peace, love, and spiritual connection. This sanctuary, founded by Margaret Ann Lembo, is more than just a shop; it is a beacon of light for those seeking self-empowerment and holistic well-being. As an acclaimed author, aromatherapist, and spiritual teacher, Margaret Ann has dedicated her life to helping others discover their inner strength and divine connection. Her intention is clear: to provide tools and guidance that support spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical growth. Join Mystic Mag as we delve into the wisdom and practices of Margaret Ann Lembo, exploring how her work inspires and transforms lives, one crystal and drop of essential oil at a time.
Your journey as a spiritual entrepreneur spans over three decades. What inspired you to start The Crystal Garden in 1988, and how has your vision evolved over the years?
I’ve lived and worked in the metaphysical field for nearly four decades. My journey began long before I opened my store, The Crystal Garden, in 1988.
For as long as I can remember, the magic of believing, the power of positive thought, and working and playing with angels have been part of my daily life. Growing up in an Italian Roman Catholic family, it was common and normal at home and school to make room for my guardian angel at my desk, the dinner table, or any life situation. My mother taught me telepathy and plant communication. I have wonderful memories of spending time in the garden with my mother. This foundation contributed to what I teach and write about today.
As a child, at around 6 years old, a family friend introduced me to the teachings of Edgar Cayce, Maxwell Maltz, Napolean Hill, and many other positive thought and metaphysical teachers. My Dad’s best friend, Vic, introduced me to the power of positive thought and the magic of believing. It’s a full circle now because Edgar Cayce’s A.R.E. – Association of Research and Enlightenment – carries my books, decks, and aromatherapy spray blends in its gift shop.
Over the years, my experiences with H.H. Dalai Lama, Medicine Men and Women, Grandfather Wallace Black Elk, and many spiritual teachers have contributed to my personal growth and the growth of The Crystal Garden.
In the 1980s, I was invited to participate and invest in a crystal-buying venture with two friends who were off to Arkansas. I invested as a silent partner but wasn’t so silent before I knew it. Investing in this venture reignited my attraction to rocks. Not only was this a business venture, but it also became my passion and a main part of my life purpose. The world of crystals for healing and personal development has become my passion for life. It’s a great way to awaken spiritual consciousness using these treasures from the Earth.
In the late 1990s, I created and self-published spoken audio and a deck. These were the stepping stones that led me to write books. I am published through Llewellyn Worldwide and Findhorn Press, an Inner Traditions*Bear & Co imprint.
You have authored nine books and created multiple decks and audio CDs. Can you share the creative process behind your writing and how you decide on the themes for your projects?
All my experiences led to the writing of many books and decks on crystals, aromatherapy, vibrational healing, angels, and more. My best seller is The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals, and Stones (Llewellyn), with over 35,000 copies sold. I’ve written 11 books and 7 oracle affirmation decks as of this date. I plan to write more books and decks in the future to share what I’ve learned and help people live positive, spiritual lives.
Most importantly, I realized that the world of crystals is a major part of my soul’s purpose. It only took a few years to realize that my life would be enmeshed in the gemstone kingdom. Matching gemstones with the power of positive thought is how I used gemstones and colors to amplify intention and manifest a happy reality. Over the years, I’ve used the power of intention to improve my physical health with a gem in hand. Maintaining a clear intention to improve your mental and emotional balance is effective. It’s gotten me through tough moments in my life. On a spiritual level, working with crystals activates the energy of the chakras, especially when you use them with focused intent, which is the focus of my first book, Chakra Awakening: Transform Your Reality Using Crystals, Color, Aromatherapy and the Power of Positive Thought.
My work in the world of spirituality has evolved. I am an aromatherapist with close to 70 aroma energetic sprays and blends. This led to the Wholesale Division of The Crystal Garden. My line is sold in many stores and spas throughout the country, in Canada, Europe, and Hong Kong. The evolution has kept my business alive through diversification, with retail and wholesale sales available to bring abundant business. This led to my book, The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing (Llewellyn). I shared what I learned from working with essential oils and Bach Flower Essences and having my own label, The Crystal Garden Brand Aromatherapy, in that book.
What type of services do you offer?
Before the pandemic, I offered healing sessions and entrepreneurial counseling. I’ll probably get back to that, but for now, I focus on writing more books while running and expanding The Crystal Garden. I offer events at my store, such as Crystal Singing Bowl Sound Bath experiences, Group Past Life Regressions, Aromatherapy, and Crystals Classes, and many more.
I continue to receive what I need to write more books. The writing process is interesting for me. I can’t force it, but rather respond and follow through on the inspired thoughts that come my way. Receiving the idea for the next book is up to a higher source. For example, I woke up with the title “Animal Totems and the Gemstone Kingdom: Spiritual Connections of Crystal Vibrations and Animal Medicine. Before that morning, I hadn’t considered writing a book on the subject. It felt like I was given an assignment from my guides and angels.
This is also true when I create Master Blends for The Crystal Garden Brand aromatherapy. For example, Smudge in Spray was inspired by the need for a smokeless smudging experience during indoor gatherings and classes. The formula was given to me by the Divine. The same is true for Archangel Michael Spray. The formula ingredients were dictated to me during an Archangel Michael Meditation Experience. I put the formula together, using my knowledge as an aromatherapist. The aroma energetic spray was born after adding the Holy Waters and Sacred Site essences from around the world, along with Gemstone Tincture specific to Michael. After that, I received many formulas to help people with their lives.
Mindfulness and positive thought are central themes in your teachings. Can you elaborate on how you incorporate these principles into your daily life and work?
Gratitude, mindfulness, and positive thoughts are central themes in my teachings. I practice mindfulness in my daily life through self-observation and situational awareness. Self-observation is observing one’s behaviors, reactions, and actions as an interested, objective observer—without judgment. Situational awareness is being present in every moment while paying attention to what’s happening around you and the signs and symbols in life experiences. Practicing gratitude is a daily experience for me.
Whether driving, walking, gardening, shopping, swimming, or working, my focus is on all the blessings in my life. I consciously think about how blessed I am and give gratitude and love to the people in my life, known and unknown, that contribute to the blessings and prosperity I experience. Practicing gratitude for the basics, like running water, electricity, and air conditioning (I live in the tropics), seems to increase the abundance and wealth I experience on all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. We create our own reality. What we think about becomes our experience. Our body believes every thought, word, and action we have. I’ve learned that it’s up to me to be all I can be and share as much as possible with those interested.
A real-life example of how I use gratitude and the power of positive thought in my life when it is experiencing a down cycle:
- Sending love and gratitude into the past, starting with yesterday, to everyone while thinking of specific people and situations.
- Keep my focus on crystals and gemstones that promote love, abundance, and well-being, such as rose quartz, green aventurine, jade, citrine, selenite, and kyanite, to name just a few.
- Repeat affirmations specific to the situation while visualizing the positive world I want to experience. A few examples are,
- Every day, in every way, my life is getting better and better.
- I am love and all that is attracted to me is love.
- Blessings are flowing into my life.
- I attract loyal and kind friends, family, and colleagues.
- I earn unlimited income doing what I love.
- There are plenty of people with plenty of money who want the goods and services I offer.
- Loving-kindness is my focus.
There are so many ways to phrase the positive thoughts that attract a healthy, happy life. Create your own luck using the powerful force of good thoughts.
The Crystal Garden has been a cornerstone for conscious living since its inception. How do you ensure that it continues to meet the evolving needs of your community?
Over the coming years, the way in which we communicate and relate to each other will continue to evolve. In many ways, it will stay the same, and in others, it will be very different. Online communities will continue to grow while relating in person will become more personal and in smaller settings. Regardless, what is most important is your personal connection with your spiritual side.
Allow yourself to use all the spiritual tools available – from aromatherapy to animal totems and archangels to saints. Call on their help as you use the power of intention and positive thoughts to create your reality.
I wish for you to be happy, feel love, be compassionate and kind, and have an abundance of prosperity and blessings in your life.
Books
The Essential Guide to Aromatherapy and Vibrational Healing (Llewellyn Worldwide) 9780738743394
Chakra Awakening: Transform Your Reality Using Crystals, Color, Aromatherapy & The Power of Positive Thought (Llewellyn Worldwide) (COVR Award Winner and Bronze Award Foreward Reviews) 9780738714851
The Essential Guide to Crystals, Minerals and Stones (Llewellyn Worldwide) 9780738732527
Color Your Life with Crystals: Your First Guide to Color, Crystals and Chakras (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844096053
Color Your Life with Good Thoughts: A Coloring Book
Animal Totems and the Gemstone Kingdom: Spiritual Connections of Crystal Vibrations and Animal Medicine (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844097425
Crystals Beyond Beginners: Awaken Your Consioudness with Precious Gifts from the Earth (Llewellyn Worldwide) 9780738754086
All About Smudging (e-Book – Llewellyn Worldwide)
The Essential Guide to Everyday Angels (Llewellyn Worldwide) 9780738764993
The Essential Guide to Archangels and Saints (Llewellyn Worldwide) December 2024 9780738753379
Llewellyn’s Little Book of Crystals (Llewellyn Worldwide) Coming in 2025.
Decks
Angels and Gemstone Guardians Cards (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844096305
Archangels & Gemstone Guardians Cards (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844096909
Crystal Intentions Oracle: Guidance and Affirmations (Llewellyn Worldwide. November 2016.) 9780738748979
Masters, Mystics, Saints and the Gemstone Guardians (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844097180
Animal Allies and the Gemstone Guardians (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844097418
Gemstone Guardians Cards and Your Soul Purpose (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781644110676
Essential Oils and Gemstone Guardians Cards (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781644115398
Nine spoken audio/guided meditations CDs /MP3s
Cord Cutting: Releasing the Energetic Ties of the Past (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844096916
Chakra Balancing Crystal Alignment (Findhorn Press – an imprint of Inner Traditions Bear & Co.) 9781844096640
Color Meditation: Align Your Chakras
Meet Your Master Guide
Open Your Heart to Love
Crystal Singing Bowl Meditation
Short Meditations for Busy People
Meet Your Power Animal: A Drumming Journey
Think Good Thoughts: Positive Affirmations for Everyday Living
Read more at https://www.margaretannlembo.com
