Crystal Gazing/Scrying
By CinnamonMoon
Scrying is a term used to
define the act of gazing into the crystal ball. One
who is adept at this art is known as a scryer. One may
use a crystal ball, a pool of water, a mirror, a brass
bowl filled with ink, any number of gems or transparent
objects. Whatever the choice is, the art has been practiced
since the earliest times recorded up to the present
day and by peoples the world over. This art is known
to the high echelons of magicians to the lower ranks
of peasantry. It is estimated that one in twenty can
achieve success. Such odds would support the belief
that it is not a difficult art to master.
Visions are said to be inspired
by Gods, evil spirits, spirit guides and from the depths
of the mind. Whatever the source, they are real and
can generally be substantiated in the long run.
The Encyclopedia of Occultism
says in definition of the art:
Crystallomancy...a mode of
divination practiced from very early times with the
aid of a crystal globe, a pool of water, a mirror, or
indeed any transparent object. Divinations by means
of water, ink, and such substances are also known by
the name of Hydromancy.
Elaborate rituals with strict
procedures and requirements were often employed. Today
the method has become simplified for the student and
good results may accurately be expected. An adept scryer
may choose to perform an elaborate ritual, but there
would be a justified reason for such acts. As a general
rule, it is not necessary and can be done simply by
those who wish to experiment.
Each method of scrying has
its own name; for example:
Crystal Ball = Crystallomancy
Water = Hydromancy
Mirror = Catoptromancy or Enoptromancy
Cup = Cylicomancy
Belly = Gastromancy (Human or object)
Dish = Lecanomancy
Stone = Lithomancy
Fingernail = Onychomancy
Spring = Pegomancy
Some objects used for scrying:
Agate, amethyst, aquamarine, back of a watch, blood,
brass, chalcedony, charcoal, cornelian, door-lock, eggshell,
eyes, ink, ivory, obsidian, opal, pyrites, rings, sapphire,
screen, shield, silver bells, silver lamp, soap bubbles,
sword blade, topaz, acrylic balls, etc.
Whatever the method, and
whatever the source of inspiration, it is much like
watching television or a movie screen and the state
of mind is like that of a day-dream or being lost in
thought--you are aware of things around you and yet
distracted from them only on the surface. The slightest
interruption within your surroundings can break the
vision.
As with many nursery rhymes
that are at their core the hidden passages to spells
and lore, there is the one of Little Bo Peep. Bo Peep
was a game made of gazing, and played in pagan times
regularly. Thus: Little Bo Peep has lost her sheep and
can't know where to find them. (Look into the crystal).
Leave them alone, and they will come home, wagging their
tails behind them. (Seeing where they are heading home.)
Frauds claim to be able to
show the inquirer herself visions in the crystal. Ask
questions about date of birth and astrological signs
to base their fraudulent visions on generalities. Genuine
scryers make no claims to powers of supernatural origin,
make no airs of mystery, and make no requests for information
before scrying.
Preparation:
There are many methods and the student should experiment
to see what works best for them. Some say they can scry
in daylight, dim light, candlelight, a dark room, any
light, against a black cloth, cupping the hand or fingertips,
in a drawer's dark cover, in solitude, with others present,
needing light in front or behind them. For some reflections
help and for others they are a hindrance. Generally,
the distance should be that of one reading a book, with
as little reflection as possible. Crystals (etc.) are
best without flaws.
One should gaze from 5-20
minutes. Stop when eyes become fatigued. It is okay
to blink. Gazing into the crystal, not at the surface,
the time will vary to vision in each individual. some
people tire easily and some are able to look away and
back to the object without interference while others
cannot. It is taught that you should pass each hand
over the crystal 3 times...right first and then left.
Visions:
Many people need a trigger to succeed while others do
well almost with their first or second try. Still others
are only able to see a few times in their life. It varies
greatly. If one method does not work for you try another.
Some people are able to
hear as well as see and some combine gazing with automatic
writing. Whatever the case, each experiment should be
noted in great detail and followed up when verification
is achieved. Also not the date, time, and phase of moon.
Changes in the Crystal
Ball:
Changes in the crystal
before the visions appear are for the most part general.
Any or all of those I'm about to list may occur:
The ball seems to disappear altogether.
There is an illumination of the ball or the edges of
it.
Illumination may move, dance, spin, fade and return.
Clouds or wisps of smoke appear, drift, rise, and clear
(milky look like a fog).
Shifts of light and darkness.
Flushes of color.
Points de Repire (points of light. Can be a rainbow
of pinpoint colors)
Vision takes form: movielike, still life, symbols, colors
or black and white, Mist vanishes to blackness and precedes
vision.
Lapses of time (5 seconds
to 5 minutes for example) Vague blur or spot takes form
of a nucleus upon which an image develops.
The veil of the senses is removed.
A golden fire.
An eye or pupil will appear and open to reveal a vision
within it
A ring may appear to show the vision
Visions may be on the surface, in the center, on the
sides, at the base or top.
They gradually develop into clear pictures.
Sometimes they are continuous like a movie or will change
in succession and variety...related or not.
They appear for intervals of 5 seconds to 5 minutes
or longer and can last up to 20 minutes.
Effect on your health:
Can be indisposed, oppression, giddiness, alarm, fear,
unpleasant sensations, headache, unable to achieve vision
if in poor health, but most people feel no fatigue,
nor evil or unpleasant sensations. We are always wide
awake and in full possession of all faculties. Some
say it is a form of various stages of hypnotic states.
Points De Repire:
These are reflections and points of light that serve
to fix attention and form a starting point for the pictures
to develop. This is debated by some who say they are
only fact of the crystal as are the clouding etc. Some
claim they indicate you have achieved the proper psychic
state.
Phenomena:
Two or more people may see approximately the same vision
simultaneously. Vision and automatic writing. Vision
and auditory sound or words (can be telepathic) Vision
and raps and or apparition (usually related to haunted
house equipment) Vision and multiple personality (Iffy
theory) Auto suggestion Subconscious knowledge Telepathy
Past, present, and future Precognition of future events
Spiritual guidance
Besterman's Definition:
Scrying is a method of bringing into the consciousness
of the scryer by means of a speculum through one or
more of his senses the content of his sub consciousness,
of rendering him more susceptible to the reception of
telepathically transmitted concepts, and of bringing
into operation a latent and unknown faculty of perception.
