Today we’d like to introduce you to Nicholas Pearson.
Hi Nicholas, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My love for writing began with a love for learning. I grew up in Stuart, Florida, a small town on the coast. I was a curious kid who found wonder in the world around me; every rock, blossom, and pond seemed to whisper its secrets to me. Early on, my grandfather noticed my attraction to rock and stone, and he gifted me a piece of quartz that still sits in a place of honor in my collection today. That one mineral specimen changed my life, and for that, I’ll be forever thankful.
I spent most of my adolescence intrigued by the history, folklore, and science of gems. One of the unique spaces where these topics converged was the field of crystal healing. I was intrigued from the moment I learned that healing gemstones had lived on beyond their use in the ancient and medieval world. I devoured every book on geology, gemstone folklore, and crystal healing that I could get my hands on. By my senior year in high school, I was invited to teach about crystals in several local metaphysical bookstores and healing centers.
When the time to attend university eventually came, I decided to focus on a different passion of mine–music–and elected Stetson University as my alma mater based on their prestigious school of music. Before long I was thrust back into the world of earth science, as, unbeknownst to me, I was assigned to work at the Gillespie Museum, an on-campus earth science facility that houses one of the largest mineral collections in the southeastern United States. Within a few weeks, the associate director of the museum provided me with nearly unrestricted access to the collections. I was elbows-deep in displays and storage boxes most days of the week when I wasn’t in rehearsal or class.
I used my two years at the Gillespie to dive deep into geology, mineralogy, and natural history. I brushed up on mineral science and began to explore the connections that emerged between the science and spirituality of crystal healing. I noticed that crystal healers described iron-rich minerals as grounding and strengthening, or that lithium-bearing gems were often said to provide a sense of peace. In short order, I reviewed all the literature I’d read so I could see the underlying patterns. Even when authors, healers, and teachers weren’t familiar with the chemistry, structure, or formation processes involved, they still seemed to follow the trend of describing minerals of similar composition, form, and origin in the same terms.
After leaving Stetson, nearly immigrating to Japan, a stint in corporate America, and many more years of independent study with crystals, I eventually sat down to write my first book, The Seven Archetypal Stones. I found the perfect publisher for that project, and they’ve been eager to continue working with me ever since. After the release of book number one, I’ve been blessed to travel the across US, Canada, and England teaching workshops on crystal healing, Reiki (a Japanese spiritual practice and healing system), and flower essence therapy. In the wake of the pandemic, my classroom has moved to the virtual space, and I continue to reach thousands of participants each year.
I’ve been blessed with the chance to hone my skills as a writer, and have released six books to date: The Seven Archetypal Stones, Crystals for Karmic Healing, Crystal Healing for the Heart, Foundations of Reiki Ryoho, Stones of the Goddess, and–my bestseller–Crystal Basics. My seventh book, Flower Essences from the Witch’s Garden, officially comes out on April 5th, and the eighth book is due on shelves sometime next year.
I also serve on the board of directors for the Shelter Animal Reiki Association, and previously served on the advisory council for the National Reiki in Healthcare Certification Initiative. I belong to several professional Reiki organizations and have delivered keynote speeches with the Vermont Reiki Association and Celebration of Reiki, Inc. I look forward to traveling to teach Reiki again in the near future.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
There have been a lot of ups and downs. In 2009 I left a low-paying gig to take a leap of faith teaching and writing full time. I fell flat on my face and had to take a break from that with a retail job instead. I ended up spending several years pursuing a career with that job, rapidly rising through the ranks. In the end, it wasn’t fulfilling and I left it to accept a job a little more proximal to the world of crystals in 2014. I was a traveling sales rep for a company in the body-mind-spirit industry. Thankfully during my time on the road, I met some representatives from my future publisher, Inner Traditions, who encouraged me to send them the fragments of the manuscript I had in progress.
Since the publication of my first book, I’ve been writing, teaching, touring, and interviewing nonstop. It has afforded me a great opportunity to reach a wider audience, but that hasn’t been without some road bumps along the way. I’ve learned a lot about publishing, marketing, networking, and interviewing from some of those minor errors, but most importantly I’ve learned when to say “no.”
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a writer who specializes in the fields of spirituality and integrative medicine. Two of my main areas of expertise are Reiki, a Japanese spiritual practice and hands-on healing technique, and crystal healing. One of the things that sets me apart in the latter field is my background in mineral science. I seek to keep one foot in the realm of science and the other in spirituality at all times. My background in geology and mineralogy allows me to look for the correlations between the healing energy and the composition, structure, formation process, and other features in rocks, minerals, and gemstones. Simultaneously, I strive trace the historical, cultural, and folkloric associations of rocks and minerals with their applications in modern-day crystal healing. The end result is a grounded, sensible approach to wellness and spiritual practice. Of all my publications on crystals, Crystal Basics: The Energetic, Healing & Spiritual Power of 200 Gemstones is considered my magnum opus, as it most clearly illustrates the principles and praxes that form the core of my teachings.
As a Reiki practitioner, teacher, and researcher I’ve dug deep into the roots of the system to find a common narrative that all lineages, styles, and forms of Reiki practice share. A lot of my work is dedicated to re-orienting the practice to its roots by honoring Japanese culture, language, and faith while also highlighting the ways in which Reiki has grown and evolved over the last century. One of my passions helping practitioners of all lineages find common ground through our shared history. Currently, I have one book on Reiki, Foundations of Reiki Ryoho, with two more in early stages of development.
One aspect of my work, no matter the subject, that really sets me apart is the academic rigor that I bring to my research and writing. I’m fascinated by the ways in which ideas and practices develop over time, so I take the time to immerse myself in primary and secondary sources that help me trace this evolutionary path. I spend a lot of time reading, drafting notes, and looking for new sources of inspiration to guide my research.
To date I have seven books in print: The Seven Archetypal Stones, Crystals for Karmic Healing, Crystal Healing for the Heart, Foundations of Reiki Ryoho (also published in Italian as “Reiki Ryoho”), Stones of the Goddess, Crystal Basics, and the newly released Flower Essences from the Witch’s Garden. I should have another book on shelves next spring.
How do you think about happiness?
One of my most fulfilling experiences is teaching. I love to see those a-ha moments with my students. For me, everything is driven by my love of learning and my passion for sharing what I learn with others.
Contact Info:
- Email: nicholas@theluminouspearl.com
- Website: www.theluminouspearl.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/theluminouspearl
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/theluminouspearl
- Other: www.linktr.ee/theluminouspearl
Image Credits
Steven Thomas Walsh (main photo)
