The Ancient Art Of Scrying

Scrying is the metaphysical practice of gazing into a reflective surface, such as a crystal ball or mirror, in order to perceive spiritual visions of the future, or for purposes of divination or fortune telling.

In most societies, since time began, people used different tools in attempts to scry for answers about the present and future. It seems to be human nature to want to know what is in store for us in the future. Often scrying was done in the confines of royalty or religion – reserved only for the privileged few deemed worthy to do it.

Vision is the art of seeing things invisible ~ Jonathan Swift

Scrying was often a practice learned and applied within a family, as children often watched their elders scry. People did not write down how to do such things in the early days. The secrets of scrying was handed down from one family member to another. However, this metaphysical practice can be learned by almost all people with some dedication, concentration and patience.

Many objects can be used to scry. Apart from the traditional crystal ball or mirror, one can also make use of a candle, water, ink, smoke, tea leaves, or even a glass of dark wine. In ancient Egypt there were sacred lotus pools used by priests for scrying. Shallow scrying bowls, carved from dark stone, have been found in many parts of the world. When filled with water, ink or dark red wine they too became mirrors for scrying. The crystal sphere that many modern practitioners use is a more recent innovation. The earliest examples, used primarily for divination date, from about 1500 AD.

To make any such speculum work you need to be able to distract your awareness of the world around you and become mentally and physically still. One way to get the scrying to start, is to shift your eyes out of focus, like with those children’s games in which you stare intently at a pattern to see what picture emerges from it. Visions cannot be seen by looking at the scrying surface without changing the focus of your sight and relaxing. It is basically a way to perceive visions in your mind’s eye.

In order to scry one must go into a light trance, so the mind can to project the images onto the scrying surface you are using. Very often it takes several attempts before you achieve the results you desire. Often a period of quiet contemplation with the eyes closed will attune the psychic vision to see within the glass, or crystal, or black mirror when the eyes are opened again.

He who looks through an open window sees fewer things than he who looks through a closed window ~ Charles Baudelaire

One way that is very inexpensive and easy to work with, is candle scrying. Watching the flame, set your eyes slightly out of focus. Relax and wait for images to come to your mind. Practice, practice, practice.

The first time I was hired to do a crystal ball séance was quite an experience for me. I used my beautiful crystal ball, which took about six years to find, as I was looking for the one that called to me. It actually has an inclusion that looks like an eye a portal into the unknown. Well, to be honest, I had not had this crystal ball very long when I did this first “gig.” I had never used it to scry before.  After all, I felt I was only using it as a prop for the show. I am a psychic medium and I was sure information would come despite my scrying skills, or lack thereof.

The setting was a perfect foggy night in a spooky, old stone castle on the coast of Maine. It really was a dark and dreary night. Everyone was dressed in costume for the event. The guests were primed with card readings, before I was to start at midnight. We then all sat around an old wooden, antique table. There were about 15 of us present.

To start we all held hands and I said a few words to set the intention for spirit to communicate through the crystal ball and then went into light trance. I had placed my crystal ball on a piece of black velvet cloth, as suggested by the experts. Low and behold, just like in the movies, the ball clouded up for me and the pictures began to form in my mind, to produce a reading for all participants. This was much to my surprise, because I thought the ball was just going to be a prop! It once again taught me to trust and believe that spirit never disappoints.

The event was a great success. I was supposed to only work from twelve to one o’clock, but our session only ended at three in the morning. After that event, my crystal ball and I have been hired many times to do scrying séances.

If you choose to try scrying, try to relax. Set your intention, be patient and have fun. The spirit world loves laughter. Just let it happen. Sometimes, when we try too hard, it produces the least results. Simply breath, relax and open your mind.