Scrying

"They who dream by day are cognizant of many things which escape those who dream only by night." Edgar Allen Poe

I have been asked many times now to talk on the subject of scrying. Some common questions have arisen and many magicians seem to find the same problems occur over and again with the medium of scrying as a form of divination and contact with other worlds. I hope this article is of some use to those of you who are struggling with the mirror.

Questions:

1: Which kind of mirror should I use?
2: The images I see are distorted.
3: How does scrying work?
4: I want to use scrying to summon Goetic demons. Is this possible?
5: I have purchased some magickal oils, can I annoint my crystal ball with them?
6: Should I keep my scrying glass wrapped in black cloth when not in use?
7: Are there any other methods of scrying that do not involve using balls and glasses?

Answers:

1: Anything from flat glass painted matt black on one side, a crystal ball (either natural quartz, rose quartz or amethyst as they are cheapest but if money is no object try for obsidian or lapis lazuli) old concave clock glass again painted matt black, black ink floated on water (I even tried black coffee but the results weren't spectacular!) Experimentation is the key. Its a matter of personal preference which color you use as each color vibrates at a different frequency.

2: The accuracy of the image in the mirror depends on the quality of the glass. If the glass is flawed then so will be the images scryed. Ordinary window glass is not perfect and using second hand clock glass is often scratched. John Dee used Black Obsidian and a flawless piece at that. Crystal balls are better but to obtain a perfect piece you have to be prepared to pay. A little tip though - not all crystal balls sold in new age stores are actual rock quartz, it is quite legal to sell glass balls under the label of quartz as that is exactly what glass is. Some magicians do prefer flaws in the scrying medium as they open up new worlds to the seer its a matter of personal choice but with flaws you have to be ready for unexpected results.

3: Scrying opens the mind merely focusing images from the subconscious onto the retina in the eye. The glass is used as a tool in the same way the tarot is used.

4: Yes. The entity will be contained by the glass and that is often safer than having them stood in your living room! So long as all the usual safeguards of evocation are met such as the banishings then there should be no problems.

5: Oiling is a messy process and who wants a sticky crystal ball! If the fragrance gets you there why not just burn incense while you scry that way you can match the odour to the purpose or entity in mind. The glass must be kept clean, that is paramount. If you must use oil, virgin olive oil is the most practical and also quite inexpensive.

6: Yes. The reasons for this are quite obvious. You do not want anyone else handling the glass as it will pick up their vibrations so if it is covered and kept in a box it avoids aunties saying "oh that looks fun, can I have a go!" Another reasons is again cleanliness, it keeps the dust off and believe it or not some natural minerals do fade in sunlight.

7: Dream scrying, a favorite of the Ancient Egyptians involves using an oil lamp and scrying into the flame. The idea is a desire can be projected into the flame and thus continued to a lucid conclusion. Pyromancy (the use of fire to scry visions) is well known and if you feel an affinity with fire give it a try. Use an open fire either outdoors such as a small bonfire or indoors if you have a natural coal or wood fire. A candle flame is also quite effective.

The illustration for this post is The Crystal Ball (1902) by the Pre-Raphaelite artist John William Waterhouse (1849-1917). Waterhouse is perhaps best know for The Lady of Shallot which represents a scene from the poem of the same name by Lord Alfred Tennyson. During the early 1950s the skull next to the book had been painted over. Using modern restoration techniques an x-ray of the painting revealed how the skull had been disguised by the curtain and now the work has been restored to reveal a more esoteric interpretation.