Scrying 101

Merry meet! Today we will be talking about scrying. Well, I'll be talking, you'll be reading. Scrying is a way to foretell the future using a crystal ball or other reflective object or surface. At least, that's the dictionary definition. But what scrying truly is, cannot truly be described in a simple sentence. Like all divination practices, it is entailed.

Scrying 101

The art of scrying has been used for centuries, and for good reasons. It is an effective way to foretell future events, glimpse into past happenings, and to simply gain insight into our lives. There are many ways to practice this divination, most commonly the following; water, mirrors, flame, wax, a crystal ball, or smoke. Seeing as scrying covers such a large amount of divination practices, there are many, many more ways, but these are, in my experience, the most commonly used forms.

Water Scrying, also called hydromancy, is "divination by the appearance or motion of liquids". This is pretty straightforward really. You'll need to gather a medium or large sized bowl, without patterns, preferably silver or glass. Find a dark, quiet place, and sit down in front of your bowl. Gaze into the water, focusing on your question/intent, until images appear. When the images first start appearing, don't focus on them. Keep your intent unwavering, and focus solely on that. Once you feel comfortable, begin focusing on the images as well, simultaneously deciphering them in a way that will answer your question.

Mirror Scrying. Most prefer a black mirror as it's easier to focus on the images you're looking for rather than your own reflection, as opposed to using a reflective mirror. The mirror is most useful when older, and solid metal, preferably silver. Like with the water, sit before your mirror and focus your intent. You'll want to be relaxed, let go of all worries, stresses, and thoughts. Only focus on your question. Once you are comfortable, gaze into the mirror. You'll begin seeing images, slowly begin deciphering the ones that show up in a way that answers your questions.

Crystal Ball Scrying is also called crystallomancy. Find a dark and quiet place, sit in front of your ball, and do what you must to put yourself into a ritualistic mindset. Breathe in, breathe out and focus on your question. Once you feel ready, gaze into the ball. You'll begin seeing images, and as with the other scrying methods I've listed, you will focus on the images and translate them to answer whatever question you've asked.

Fire Scrying. For this, you light a candle or fire, sit in front of it, and lull yourself into a meditative. You'll want to be relaxed and focused. Once you've attained this state, begin to discern images from the flame. Watch the way it dances, the way the embers fly off, the way the flame arches and flickers- the more intense your focus, the clearer the reading. Decipher the meaning of the images, in a way that will answer your question, or give you a glimpse into past/future happenings.

Wax Scrying. This divination practice requires a candle, preferably small and fast burning, and the color should correspond to the theme of your question. Light the candle and let it burn completely down. While it burns you should watch both the flame and the wax. Watch how the wax drips and what shapes it makes as it does so. While doing this, be sure to focus on your question. Once the candle has burnt completely down, look at the leftover wax. Based on the images your discern, you should be able to decipher the answer to your question.

Smoke Scrying. This divination, like the two listed above, requires a candle, or incense. If you choose a candle to be sure the color corresponds to your question, and likewise for the herb/scent of your incense. Light your candle/incense, let burn for a few seconds and blow out. It will then begin smoking. Watch the smoke, as it whispers around, and observe the images it creates. Use these images to translate the answer to your question.

Those are the basics of scrying. There is more to know about the methods I mentioned, and the ones I didn't, so be sure to continue researching. You never know enough about any subject, especially when it comes to divination! If you enjoyed this post, I’d be very grateful if you’d help it spread by emailing it to a friend or sharing it on Twitter or Facebook. Thank you!

Do you have any more questions or even things you'd like to add? Let me know in the comments, or via email, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible.