13.5. CRYSTAL GAZING
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The art of “Scrying,” which includes crystal gazing, dates back to antiquity. Blobs of ink, opaque mirrors, bowls of water, and even flames have been used to induce visions of a supposedly clairvoyant nature. Sometimes these visions are spontaneous; in one instance, a woman viewed the enactment of a distant crime in a glass of water that happened to be at her bedside. Other persons have seen visions by simply staring into a water bottle. But it is generally agreed that a crystal ball is the best implement for the development of such imagery.

Even there, considerable choice is involved. Veteran scryers prefer spheres of genuine crystal, particularly with a blue or purplish tinge, at least two and one half inches-in diameter. Larger crystals may increase the size of the picture and are therefore more desirable. So-called crystal balls composed of clear glass are less expensive in the larger sizes and are therefore often used.

The general purpose in choosing the right crystal is to avoid tiring the eyes, which may induce a hypnotic condition. Some persons claim that all crystal gazing is a form of autohypnosis, but scryers generally dispute this. They watch for a clouding of the crystal, which causes changes in the images.

Some remarkable cases of precognition have been attributed to the crystal ball. One woman saw and described an elderly man whom nobody present recognized; yet a few hours later she met and was introduced to a stranger who fitted the description perfectly. Others have had repeated visions, like a series of events, which have proven accurate in regard to coming scenes.

One authority, however, regards the crystal chiefly as a device for reviving the memory, bringing past scenes into focus, and linking them with the future in coincidental and wishful fashion. This coupling of imagery with imagination has never proven itself harmful, but it tends toward exaggeration, and cannot be taken too seriously. Most of the really evidential crystal visions are of a spontaneous sort, often being seen by persons who have not made scrying a constant habit.

The term crystallomancy is applied to divinations gained through the crystal ball. Persons who practice this usually see partial pictures or symbols emerging from the milkiness, rather than complete scenes. These take the shape of objects, as anchors, animals, and the like. Any which are fairly definable are given some specified significance, as with the patterns noted in tea leaf reading. Hence the list given under that head can be applied to crystal gazing as well.