SCRYING

Scrying comes from the English word "descry" which means "to make out dimly" or "to reveal." There
have been and are many purposes for the activity; to see into the future, to find lost objects or
persons, and track criminals, among others. In the Middle Ages a wise woman or a wise man,
perhaps also called a witch, with a natural gift of second sight was called upon for scrying purposes.

Although the object used for scrying usually has a shiny surface, innumerable objects have been used
for the practice over the centuries. The Egyptians used ink, blood and other dark liquids. The
Romans used shiny objects and stones. Water has been used for gazing into. Mirrors are often used.

There is an example of the interior of a cauldron being painted black, then filled with water at night, a
silver coin was dropped into the water so to reflect moonlight. Such means have been employed to
see visions and read mystical signs.

Many witches scry in a magic circle to prevent outside influences from distorting their visions. Also,
this is why most scrying is done at night in order to receive better psychic vibrations. As a general
rule most diviners work at night in order to avoid the excessive psychic vibrations that are generated
in the day due to the confusion of everyday living. The methods of scrying differ but after a period of
concentration on the speculum visions, mental images, or impressions appear. Frequently the visions
are symbolic and the scryer must be trained and skillful in interpreting their meanings.
 
 

From the earliest stages of civilization people have used various means of divination to communicate
with the supernatural when seeking help in their public and private lives. Divination is most often
practiced as a means of foretelling the future, and sometimes the past. It is one of the primary
practices used by witches, wizards, medicine men, sorcerers, and shamans. These various groups of
persons are often called diviners, who often belonged to special classes of priests and priestesses in
past and present civilizations, and are specially trained in the practice and interpretation of their
divinatory skills.

The methodology for practicing the divinatory skills seems to divide into two categories: the first is the
observation and interpretation on natural phenomena, and the second is the observation and
interpretation of man-made "voluntary" phenomena. Natural phenomena includes two major
subcategories of activity: astrology, and hepatoscopy (Hepatoscopy is the examination or the inspection of the liver of sacrifical animals. The Babylonians
were famous for hepatoscopy). To a lesser degree the observation of the
following occurrences also can be listed under natural phenomena: unexpected storms, particular
cloud formations, birth monstrosities in both man and animal, howling or unnatural actions in dogs,
and night-marish dreams.

Man-made or "voluntary" phenomena is defined as being deliberately produced for the sole purpose
of soothsaying and includes such acts as necromancy, pouring oil into a basin of water to observe the
formation of bubbles and rings in the receptacle, shooting arrows, casting lots, and numerous other
acts.

The ancient Romans favored augury and haruspicy. The Egyptians, Druids, and Hebrews relied on
scrying. The Druids also read death throes and entrails of sacrificed animals.

The Greeks had their oracle which spoke for the gods. In the Middle Ages grain, sand or peas were
tossed onto a field in order to read the patterns after the substances fell. As far back as 1000 BC. the
Chinese had "I Ching," an oracle which involved the tossing and reading of long short yarrow
sticks. Another ancient Chinese divinatory practice which is still used is "feng-shui," or geomancy,
which involves the erecting of buildings, tombs, and other physical structures by determining the
currents of invisible energy coursing through the earth. Presently people also are using this principle
for the arrangement of furniture in their homes.

Many divinatory methods are still used today, especially in paganism, witchcraft, voodoo and
Santeria. Most Christians would probably disagree but prayer might also be considered a divinatory
act. Many practitioners today do not feel signs of divination are absolute or fixed, but believe they still
have free choices in their future. They believe divination helps them in making better choices.
 
 
 

Clairvoyance is the psychic ability or power to see objects, and visions, or to gain information
regardless of its distance. The visions may also be in the future, and some times in the past.
Clairvoyance is an umbrella term which often refers to telepathy, spiritualism, psychic research,
second sight, prophetic visions, and dreams.

Clairaudience, which is similar to clairvoyance, is the psychic ability to hear things from afar. Both
phenomena can occur in normal state of consciousness, but also can be induced by drugs, fasting,
illness, hyperesthesia, or scrying.
 
 

Augury is an ancient form of divination. The term "augury" properbly refers to the practice of the
Greeks and Romans to foretell future events by the observation and interpretation of the flights,
chattering or singing of birds. This method of divination was practically unknown in ancient
Mesopotamia and Palestine.
 

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(This Spell was copied from Kassandra's Techno-Pagan Wiccan Notes)
   http://www.angelfire.com/co/felinedreams/bos.html
 
 

Candle Magick for Scrying

Scrying is a popular form of divination which involves seeing truth, knowing what is
happening around you in other places. It normally involves mirrors, crystals, water or fire.
This magick spell is devised to assist in scrying, not to be performed alone.

Arrange altar in the following manner:

Goddess Candle and God candle in respective places.
Incense in the Center
White candle directly south of incense.
To the left and south of the white candle place Orange candle. Underneath white candle
place petitioner candle. Directly right of petitioner candle place orange candle. Directly
south of the Petitioner candle place purple candle.

Light Goddess and God candles.
Light Petitioner candle and say,

"Here burns my spirit and power, wise in the Occult and
steadfast in purity."

Light the White candle and say,

"Here burns Purity, Truth, and Sincerity. They are
with me throughout this rite and beyond it."

Light Orange candles and say,

"That whcih I scry is attracted to me as
the moth is drawn to the candle flame."

Sit a moment and organize your thoughts. Decide Exactly what it is you wish to see and
say,

"Around me is built a wall of light;
Though it may pass only that which will harm
me not.
That I may see all there is no question,
yet aught I see may not reach out to me.
The Gods are my guides as they are to my strength.
All this revealed is brought through Them;
For this do I give thanks."

Turn your back to the altar and perform you act of scrying

When you have finished this, turn back to the altar and say,

"That which was desired has been accomplished.
May the Gods ever be with me and protect me in
aught I do."

Extinguish the candles in reverse order of lighting them.
 
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(Copied from the crystal skull society)
http://www.crystalskullsociety.org

  

Learning How to Scry
by Kathy Grimshaw
          The first step in learning how to scry is to select your
          crystal. There are no rules for this process. Allow your
          imagination and feelings to guide you to your
          instrument. Some prefer crystals that are perfectly clear.
          Others enjoy inclusions and look for crystals with
          "windows" or "doors." Whatever you choose, take time
          to bond with it. Scrying tools become a direct extension
          of the scryer so it is best that you develop an
          understanding of the tool. Taking the time to meditate
          with your crystal is a good way to get to know it. The
          effort and time taken in this initial getting acquainted
          phase will pay off in the long run.

          You are now ready to begin the actual process of scrying.
          Choose a place where you are not likely to be disturbed.
          The amount of light in the area should be no more than
          that emitted by a single candle. An ideal source of light is
          a light box, the kind normally used to display crystals.
          When you place your crystal on a light box, no other
          light is necessary in the room. If you do not use a light
          box, the light source should be placed low and behind
          you. This positions your body between the crystal and the
          source of light, eliminating the chance of direct reflection
          of the light by the crystal. Dim light is suggested for the
          simple reason it enhances concentration and eliminates
          distractions. As you become more proficient at gazing,
          you will be able to do so in direct sun light if you wish.

          Placement of the crystal in relationship to the scryer is
          also important. Keep in mind you will be looking intently
          into the crystal for at least twenty minutes at a time.
          Therefore, you do not want to position the crystal in a
          way that will cause physical discomfort. Remember, as
          your skill with scrying increases, so will the time you
          spend in front of the crystal. Physical discomfort will
          break your concentration and turn scrying into a chore.
          So pick a comfortable chair, get relaxed, place your
          crystal at the proper height and distance for best viewing,
          sit back and enjoy the experience.

          Take a few deep breaths. As you do this, look intently
          into the crystal. Staring promotes tearing of the eyes
          causing you to blink. Instead, try to think of unfocusing
          your eyes. Just rest your gaze on the crystal and allow
          your eyes to relax. At this stage, you may find your
          eyelids wanting to close about half way. Allow this to
          happen. During this phase, develop a conscious link
          between your third eye and the crystal. An easy way of
          accomplishing this is to visualize a ray of light coming
          out from your third eye and entering the crystal. Some
          will experience a tightness in the forehead but don't be
          alarmed if this sensation doesn't happen to you.

          The next thing to watch for is the clouding of the crystal.
          A small light will appear and from that light, clouds will
          form and spread. There may even appear a tiny light
          show within the clouds. You are well on your way.
          Eventually the clouds will clear and pictures will emerge.

          In the beginning, try not to judge the pictures or control
          the flow. Trust you will be shown what you need to see in
          the sequence you need to see it. As time goes on, the
          ability to ask questions and receive answers will develop.
          You should keep a log to facilitate a better understanding
          of what you are seeing and experiencing. Just as with
          dreams, there is a symbology with scrying. The most
          difficult part of scrying is figuring out what you are
          seeing. At times you will see actual events happening
          now. Other times, you may see events from history.
          Spiritual teachings may come in the form of symbolic
          pictures. Future happenings can also come through in
          symbols or actual scenes. It is often difficult to
          distinguish reality from your own symbology. This is
          where your log comes in handy. It is also helpful to
          record the time of day and phase of moon. This will
          enable you to know when you are at your best and able
          to interpret the information being given. I now have a
          tape recorder at my side when I scry because the pictures
          or scenarios come so quickly I can no longer take the
          time to write them down

          Above all, relax, have fun, and enjoy the movies.
 

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(Copied from the RavenWood Coven Website)
http://home.earthlink.net/~ravenwood/coven

Creating you own Scrying Mirror

1. Find yourself an old wooden or metal picture frame. Make sure that the frame is a dark color, as
shiny frames tend to reflect in the finished mirror. I prefer an oval or even better a round frame of
about 12" in diameter. Don't get one too big; you will want to carry it around sooner or later. With
very little effort these can be found for a couple of dollars at any second hand store, antique shop, or
Goodwill Store. Flee markets, garage sales, and swap meets are a gold mine for these frames and I
have bought beautiful ones for as little as .25 cents. Don't bother if the frame is a little beat up, you
can always paint or refinish it, but be sure the glass is unscratched and clear. For a dollar or two glass
can be replaced. I have also bought a round piece of glass and lead trim from a stained glass supply
house and made some beautiful gifts from these. I have even trimmed them in stained glass. Total
cost? About $20.00.

2. Buy a can of high gloss spray enamel paint. Read the label and make sure it is good for glass.
Some paints are not. This can be found at any hobby shop, or hardware store.

3. Remove the glass and clean it well with a good glass cleaner. Let it dry for several hours.

4. Place the clean glass on a large piece of newspaper, being careful to handle it by the edges so as
not to get finger oil on the surface. Spray paint the glass using quick even light passes back and forth
until the glass is covered completely. WARNING! do not allow the paint to run! If you do the
painting outdoors, be sure it is a sunny windless day. You do not want the paper or other debris to
blow onto the wet paint and it takes several hours to dry so as to be hand led.

5. Apply a second coat if necessary, but for the best effect it is best to do this in one coat. The mirror
effect will be flawless that way.

6. Place the glass back into the finished frame and you have your Black Scrying Mirror. Believe me,
it is every bit as good as any you can find for sale.

7. Empower the mirror with a Full Moon Spell or any spell which works for you. Once consecrated
it is infused with your own personal magnetism and should not be handles by anyone else. If someone
picks it up, reconsecrate it.
 
 

Unless, of course you would rather buy one, ...then the following site is one I highly recommend.

Melisa's Magick Mirrors
http://members.aol.com/ruamisfit2/blkmirror.html