Crystal Gazing is a type of SCRYING (meaning to descry, to observe, to see). Scrying is an old English term for divining by gazing at an object, whether it be a pool of water, a mirror, a shining orb or a crystal ball to foretell past, present or future events. The object upon which one gazes is called, in general terms, a speculum.

Scrying is an ancient divinatory practice common to all cultures. In Egypt, a few drops of ink were placed in water in the palm of the hand and a small child was employed to gaze upon it; the Maories of New Zealand used blood in the same way. At the Temple of Demeter on the coast of Achaia a mirror was lowered by a cord to the temple fountain until the edge of the mirror just touched the water. Then a priestess of Demeter would divine the health of the querent by images found on the mirror’s surface. In America, people of the Pawnee nation would pour the blood of a badger into a ceremonial bowl and the children of the tribe would gaze at the surface to see their future as part of an initiatory rite.

Scrying is a very subjective divinatory art and, as such, serves to develop the intuitive and receptive psychic talents to a high degree. The different specula employed such as crystal balls (crystallomancy), pools of water (hydromancy), and magick mirrors (catoptromancy) all can be used equally well to see past, present and future.

Naturally enough, crystallomancy is practiced with a crystal ball and tradition dictates the use of a ball shaped from rock crystal, which is a clear and colorless quartz. Rock crystal has an inner geometric trigonal formation which is considered part of the hexagonal pattern, the difference between the two being that although they both form hexagrams, hexagonal formations come to a point at both ends and trigonal forms a cylinder. Being trigonal, rock crystal gives off energy and will not absorb it. It will amplify and interact with the energies of the individual using it, making it a useful healing stone as well as scrying tool. Since rock crystal will not absorb energy, the initial purification, consecration and charging of the stone is enough for the duration of its use. Rock crystal has the ability to define and clarify which accounts for its popularity in divination. The purchase of a rock quartz crystal ball, however, can run from, at the least, $150.00 and can move into the tens of thousands of dollars for a gazing ball. Also available for scrying are leaded glass balls and reconstituted rock crystal balls, both of which are more affordable. Leaded glass balls and reconstituted rock crystal balls (these are made by grinding up rock crystal into powder and then reshaping the material into a ball of whatever diameter desired) are perfectly clear while untreated rock crystal balls have naturally occurring striations, refractions and other optical inclusions which I have found to be very helpful to focus on while scrying.

Hydromancy, (gazing into a pool of still water), is closely related to crystal gazing. All that needs to be procured is a cup or goblet to gaze into – the methods of scrying are the same. As with any tool used magickally, this cup or goblet will be used only for gazing and will be put away from curious eyes and hands when not in use. You may wish to paint the inside of the goblet black or leave it as is. If you wish to paint it, refer to the directions for painting the magick mirror which you’ll find below.

Dr. John Dee, the famous magician during Queen Elizabeth the First’s reign, used both a crystal ball and a magick mirror made of jet. Ceremonial magicians use a magick mirror composed of a seven metal alloy. However, you don’t have to be a stone mason or metal smith to have a magick mirror. The simplest magick mirror is one constructed from a round, concave piece of glass from an old clock face, old picture frame or purchased at a glass shop. You should construct your mirror when the moon is full in Cancer, Pisces or Scorpio. Purify in your usual way and then paint the convex side (the side that bows out) with black enamel paint into which you have mixed a little powdered cinnamon, gum mastic and ground wormwood. You must paint the surface three times, allowing the paint to dry thoroughly between each coat. Now you’ll make a stand for your mirror from a piece of square wood that is an inch or two wider than the mirror glass. This can be painted black like your mirror or just left natural. Make a round hollow in the center of the wood to set the curve of your mirror. You can also use a book stand to allow your mirror to set up for ease in gazing.

CONSECRATION AND CHARGING OF THE SPECULUM

Before consecrating and charging any tool, you will always purify it to remove any extraneous energies that it might have absorbed before your use. Take a cup of distilled or spring water and sprinkle approximately ½ teaspoon of sea or rock salt into it. Wash the tool, in this case your speculum, with the salt water, visualizing the salt water (representing the elements earth and water) cleansing the object of any negative vibrations that may have accrued to it before your use. Next, light an incense charcoal and place some frankincense resin or Purification incense on it in an incense burner. Pass the speculum through the resulting incense smoke and again visualize the object being cleansed and purified by the elements fire and air.

On a night when the Full Moon is in Pisces, Cancer or Scorpio (consult your favorite almanac for this information) gather together your speculum, spring water, salt, gum mastic, wormwood, wisteria oil, a dark silk cloth, a cup containing distilled or spring water, an incense burner, Scrying incense and incense charcoal and a lavender candle.

Outside in a secluded place, bathed in the light of the full moon, place your speculum and other equipment down on a flat surface. Light your candle and incense. Consecrate your water by placing the salt in it and purify your speculum and silk cloth with this water. Place the cloth on the ground with the speculum on top of it and ring your speculum with salt on the cloth. Now drop a little gum mastic into the spring water in your cup, keeping in mind the gum mastic’s divination aiding properties. Next drop in a little wormwood, keeping in mind it’s qualities of grounding and balancing. Now drop 7 drops of the wisteria oil into the water. With each drop of your wisteria, say your personal charging mantra. Gaze into the infusion you have made in the cup and release into it your psychic energy, thereby charging and magnetizing the water.

Hold your speculum up to the Moon and dedicate it to clear perception and compassionate understanding. Begin bathing your speculum with the infusion. Now set it back onto the dark cloth and inside the ring of salt. Allow the speculum to dry while you meditate on it.

Let it sit out in the light of the full moon until the moon sets. The speculum is now ready for use – no further charging is necessary for future gazing. Keep your speculum out of the sun light and in a safe quiet place when it is not in use.