Simple Scrying

Clients who visit me for private sittings often appear to be fascinated by my crystal ball, which always sits on a stand to the left of me as I work. With the help of my lovely crystal ball and a selection of divination cards, including the Tarot, I get assistance from spirit and my Ancestors in the form of symbols and letters.

Crystal-gazing, known as crystallomancy is a popular form of scrying. Crystal balls were known to be used in Europe way back in the 1500s, but historians also mention them being used at some time or other by many other cultures of the world.

Scrying is one way the brain processes and associates what it sees as all things are part of the same patterns ~ Hermann Rorschach

Ancient cultures are said to have also used a variety of other reflective surfaces to scry, including soap bubbles, crystal, glass, polished metal, precious stones and even blood. The ancient Chinese used polish bronzed mirrors which were decorated with astrological symbols, into which they would gaze to see if any demons were present.

Hydromancy is the term for scrying with water and other liquids. Pegomancy is a form of scrying using liquid in a blessed container, or using water from a sacred spring or river. Most people immediately associate water scrying with the famous astrologer Nostradamus, who used brass bowl of water on a tripod for scrying. Nostradamus is best known for his prophecies of world catastrophes, many of which have already unfolded, including the Great Fire of London and both World Wars.

The Greeks were known for lowering mirrors into sacred springs and the Babylonians would gaze into liquid they had poured into sacred bowls. According to one of my customers the Hindus used to, and still do, gaze into bowls of molasses to predict the future. Egyptians had a knack for reading ink poured into the palm of their hand.

Another form of scrying is catoptromancy, or mirror gazing. Mirror gazing was at the height of fashion in the Middle Ages. A moonlight ritual was recommended prior to gazing into the mirror for divination purposes. Moonlight is said to be the ideal time to mirror gaze with the desire of seeing one’s future marriage partner. It is best to attempt seeing your future partner at Halloween or midnight. Look into a hand-held mirror as you hold a lighted candle. Look over your left shoulder to see if you are able to catch a glimpse of the reflection of your soulmate.

Scrying Using A Crystal Ball

Blemishes in your crystal or glass sphere may be distracting, so use the clearest crystal you can find. You can also scry with something as simple as water in a glass.

As with Tarot cards, the owner of the crystal should be the only one to handle it, unless permission is given to the contrary. I keep mine wrapped in black velvet when not being used, and try to protect it from too much heat or cold. I clean my crystal ball with vinegar and water and dry it with a velvet cloth.

If, as Heraclitus suggests, god, like an oracle, neither “declares nor hides, but sets forth by signs,” then clearly I had better be scrying the signs ~ Annie Dillard

With your crystal at arm’s length away from you, you can either gaze into it on its stand, or in the palm of your hand. In a reasonably lit room, try to face North, as you sense the crystal turning from a milky hue, going through a variation of colors until its black. At this point, the darkness will dissipate and clear imagery or symbols will appear:

• Anchor – Hope, safety.
• Beetle – Long life.
• Bird – a message.
• Crown – Responsibility, glory.
• Dagger piercing a Heart – Suffering.
• Eye – Good fortune. For some it indicates evil.
• Frog – Something that is hidden, but ultimately helpful. Fertility.
• Fruit – Children.
• Globe – Travel.
• Lighthouse – Some danger ahead, but there is hope.
• Mask – Deceit.
• Scales – A fair outcome / Justice will be done.
• Skull – Death, Wisdom.
• Snake – Temptation, Health matters.
• Star – Success, but caution is warranted first.
• Swords – An Argument.
• Water Lily – Creativity being expressed.

Clouds in your crystal may have the following interpretations:

• Blue, violet or green clouds – Joy.
• Yellow, red or orange clouds – Difficulty, danger, trouble.
• White clouds – good fortune.
• Black clouds – Ill fortune.
• Ascending clouds – A ‘Yes’ reply to a question.
• Descending clouds – A ‘No’ reply to a question.
• Clouds that move to the left – Spirits who have crossed over to the other side.
• Clouds that move to the right – Spirits still here on earth.

Activity at the back of your crystal can relate to events connected to the remote past, or far off future. Activity in the front of your crystal can relate to the present time, or to the near future. Activity to the left of your crystal show real events. Activity to the right of the crystal are symbolic events.

Be patient. Your latent power with crystal ball gazing may take a little time to develop. A little meditation prior to your scrying session goes a long way in helping to clear your mind and create a calm environment.