Materials
The method of crystal scrying is almost as old as water scrying. It involves the use of a clear quartz sphere, traditionally. The size of the crystal doesn’t matter, what’s more important is the clarity. Most sources say the crystal should be flawless; no scratches, bubbles, etc. You can also use glass in place of a crystal, since clear quartz can get expensive. A glass sphere or convex magnifying glass lens will work almost as well as crystal. You also have the option to use a plastic sphere (acrylic, plexiglass, etc.) but these scratch easily and are made from unnatural materials so they will not focus or strengthen your scrying ability.
It is important to take good care of your scrying crystal. It’s common to charge it by the light of the full moon. Usually this is done about once a month, but experiment to see what works best for you. To increase the effectiveness of this moon charging, place your crystal in a bowl of water with a pinch of salt. Another method of charging is to rub your crystal with fresh mugwort. This also increases its ability.
When not in use, you should wrap your crystal in black velvet or silk and keep it in a safe place. You shouldn’t let anyone else handle it. Make sure you don’t ever let sunlight strike your crystal! (This is less about the spiritual side of things and more about potentially setting your house on fire! Be careful!)
Setup
When scrying with a crystal, you should work alone in a dark, quiet room. Most sources say to have a small, single light source in the room, like a candle, though it can be done in total darkness. Your candle should be placed in a spot that doesn’t reflect in the crystal and distract you. You can also throw a dark cloth over your head and shoulders as you lean over the crystal or build a scrying box.
A scrying box is simply a box that you have lined with black velvet or painted matte black. The top opens so that you can look inside at your crystal. A dark cloth thrown over the head and shoulders will work well with this method. You can also use a lighter colored cloth to better control the amount of light you let in.
The ideal place for scrying would be your temple, though this depends on your beliefs. Any room will do fine as long as you won’t be disturbed. It’s common to burn a favorite incense while scrying, as this can help you concentrate. According to your beliefs, you may want to work in a consecrated circle.
Background
To use the crystal scrying method, simply sit and gaze into the crystal. You should focus on the center, not the surface. Look through it like a window. Keep your mind blank; try not to imagine anything. Don’t forget to blink! You don’t want to strain your eyes. After some time, you will start to see the crystal fill with a sort of mist. Some sources say you will see thick, grey mist like rolling thunderclouds that transforms into a milky white mist. Other sources say you will simply see a white mist. Whatever type of mist you see, it will fill the ball completely, then start to fade away leaving an image. These images may appear tiny and far away, but very clear and bright at first. You may see them in black in white, though it is more likely to see them in color. You may experience these images without sound. They can be still or moving and can show the past, present, or future. More often than not, these images will be symbolic and will require interpretation.
When scrying, it’s not uncommon to experience things outside of the crystal. You may see visions in the air around you, hear voices, or even smell things. Whatever you experience, make sure not to focus too hard on it or it will disappear. Observe it with an absent mind and reflect on your experiences later. With practice, you can start to focus your awareness more directly on the images without losing them. There is no right way to do this; you have to try new things, observe your mistakes, and learn by experience. The correct way is the way you find that doesn’t banish your visions.
At first, you won’t have a lot of control over what you see. However over time and with practice, you can begin to meditate on what you want to see before beginning. Don’t be discouraged if you aren’t seeing anything at first. It doesn’t always come immediately. Don’t try for more than about 10 minutes at a time. If you’re not getting anything after this time, stop and try again the next day. It may take more than a week for you to start seeing things through scrying.
A good method to try if you’re still having trouble is the Method of Miss X (Miss Goodrich Freer). This method is simple; look around the room and choose an object to focus on. Close your eyes and mentally transfer the image of that object into your crystal. When you open your eyes, you should see that image in the crystal. Once you start to see success with this, try with a strong memory. Imagine the memory with your eyes closed and mentally transfer the image of that memory into the crystal, like before. Again, when you open your eyes you should see that image in the crystal. This method will help shift your mind into the correct, receptive mindset for scrying.
Method
To begin, you will use the same method mentioned in previous blog posts:
Darken the room and light with only a single, small light source such as a candle. Make sure the candle is located in a place that won’t distract you. The background should be basic, with nothing to distract you from your scrying tool. It is common to burn incense. Quiet, simple music can be played in the background if you so desire.
Cast your circle, say a protective prayer, invoke your deities, and begin scrying. Gaze into your crystal, focusing on it’s center, looking through it like a window. Keep your mind blank. After some time, you will start to see the crystal fill with mist. It will fill the ball completely, then start to fade away leaving an image. Observe it with an absent mind and reflect on your experiences later.
Once you are finished scrying, close your circle, thank your deities, and say a closing prayer. Extinguish your candle and incense and return your scrying materials to storage.
Next week we’ll talk about another method of scrying – mirror scrying! So check back soon!
Sources:
Buckland, Raymond. Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft. St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A: Llewellyn Publications, 1986. Print.
Cunningham, Scott. Wicca: a Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. St. Paul, Minn., U.S.A: Llewellyn Publications, 2003. Print.
Tyson, Donald. Scrying for Beginners. Woodbury, Minn., U.S.A: Llewellyn Publications, 1997. Print.
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