Scrying, also known by the names of hydromancy, crystal gazing and oculomancy, is the ancient art of revelation.
Traditionally, scrying has been portrayed through the popular image of the psychic gazing over her crystal ball. But scrying, like all esoteric practices, is not about “seeing the future.” The future can’t be seen, it can only be speculated based on present moment information.
The word “scrying” actually comes from the Old English word descry which means “to make out dimly” or “to reveal.” Therefore, scrying is about revealing the unseen through the use of our in-born second sight. Second sight is our capacity to see things that can’t usually be perceived through our five senses.
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Scrying was first mentioned in the 10th Century in an Ancient Persian text called the “Shahnameh.” Later, as Christianity rose to power, scrying was outlawed as a work of the “devil.” And yet almost every culture has used some form of scrying: from the Native American’s observation of smoke, to the Egyptians use of oil gazing to gain wisdom. These days, scrying has largely evolved into a pagan practice. But you don’t have to be pagan to experiment with it.
Scrying helps us to get in touch with our unconscious minds: the realm of the soul. As such, it can be used as a powerful form of self-understanding and psychoanalysis. If you’re struggling to find direction, meaning or purpose in life, scrying could be a wonderful way to get in touch with your core needs, dreams and goals.
Usually, scrying is performed with the use of a reflective surface, such as a mirror, water or crystal globe. However, there are many other forms. Here are nine common types:
Wax – This is done by dripping wax onto a water surface. The scryer then interprets the images or words formed from the dried wax.
Cloud – Also called cloud gazing, this form of scrying involves observing clouds and the shapes they form. This is used to gather special information or knowledge.
Mirror – This is perhaps the most popular form of scrying. Also called catoptromancy, this involves relaxing your vision and staring into a mirror. After a while, images and scenes will begin to emerge.
Water – Staring into water, images can be perceived after a time. Objects such as pebbles can also be dropped into the water to create ripples. These ripples are then interpreted.
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Oil – This form of scrying can involve pouring oil into a dish, rubbing it on the body, or coating a cup/plate. The scryer then observes the light reflected off the oil for information.
Fire – Possibly the most ancient form of scrying, this type of scrying involves gazing into fiery flames for visions. This can be done through the use of a simple candle or oil lamp. Bonus points if it’s a bonfire!
Smoke – As smoke rises from fire, its ethereal shapes present spiritual messages.
Crystal – This is the stereotypical form of scrying, but nonetheless very effective. It involves the use of a crystal object (usually a ball or globe) to gather special meaning.
Eye – This is unusual! Also called soul gazing, this form of scrying involves looking deep within a person’s eyes and observing the reflections.
As we can see, we’ve practiced unknowingly many types of scrying in childhood and throughout our adult lives!
How to Practice Scrying
For this demonstration, I’ve chosen water scrying, also known as hydromancy. I particularly like water because it is symbolic of consciousness, so it seems very fitting to use it for the purpose of conscious revelation.
You’re welcome to copy my method or create one of your own. Also, don’t feel restricted by water, especially if it doesn’t “call” to you. Experiment with many of the other scrying techniques I described above.
What you will need:
- A bowl (preferably black or natural)
- Water (preferably natural)
- 1 or 2 candles
- Lighter/matches
- Crystal/small object
- Table
- Darkness (e.g. a room at night)
Optional:
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- Energy cleansing item (like incense)
1. Fill your bowl with water
I bought this wooden bowl at the thrift store for $1. I prefer wood, but you can also use a dark (navy or black) plastic, marble or glass bowl. Dark bowls are recommended because they allow you to concentrate better.
You can put your bowl out in the rain to collect natural rainwater (like I did above). Or you can fill your bowl with mineral water. If all else fails, tap water should be fine.
2. Put your crystal in the bowl
Prepare your space. You can water scry indoors or outdoors. Just ensure you have a clear space to put your bowl and a candle or two. I chose this crystal quartz as the focal point for my water scrying. Quartz is said to have balancing, amplifying and focusing properties. You can choose any object you like (it doesn’t have to be a crystal). Ensure that the object is right in the center of the bowl: it will serve as a point on which your eyes can focus.
3. Energetically cleanse the area
There are many ways of clearing the energy in your scrying space. Some options include: burning herbs or incense, using sound (like a singing bowl or tuning fork), clapping your hands, visualizing white light, sprinkling salt, or using (organic and authentic) essential oils. Why cleanse your space? It helps you to remove stagnant energy that may impede your scrying.
4. Light the candle/s
Light your candles and place them either side of your bowl. The light of the candles must be able to reflect off the surface of the water.
5. Enter a trance-like state
Trance is an altered state of consciousness. Almost every culture known to man has had its own trance rituals. These may include chanting, drum beating, dancing, singing, fasting, the use of psychoactive plants and visualization. In your case, simply meditating may help you quickly enter into a trance-like state. I like to focus on my breath while listening to tribal music.
Remember, all of this needs to be done in a darkened room preferably at night. You could also try scrying outside as the sense of expansion could contribute favorably to your experience.
6. Stare into the water
After you have achieved an altered state of consciousness, you can then gaze into the bowl. You’ll be able to tell when you’ve reached an altered state when you feel peaceful, expanded, alert, focused and connected.
In order to scry, your eyes need to be relaxed. The crystal (or other object) in the center of the bowl will help to focus your eyes. You might also like to seat yourself in a comfortable position, as sometimes scrying can take a while. Be patient. Often it takes many tries to master scrying.
Next, hold your intention in mind. For example, your intention may be to uncover a hidden gift of yours, or perhaps to discover what is holding you back from achieving a dream. As you gaze into the water, let your eyes soften. Relax your entire face, from your mouth to your ears. Breathe deeply from your stomach. At times images may come and go briefly. Don’t try to hold on to them – this will make it much harder to scry. Instead, allow all images and sensations to come and go freely. The goal is to become a passive observer rather than an active participant. Once again, this can take practice.
After a while, your mind may start to wander. Allow it to. However, ensure that your eyes stay focused within the bowl. Eventually a word, image or even entire scene may play out before you. This is normal. Once you “feel” that your scrying session is over, you may like to ruminate on the words, images or scenes that were presented to you. What were they trying to reveal? Sometimes you’ll be able to immediately understand the nature of the visions presented to you, but not always. Look out for symbolism, analogy and metaphor.
Tips: I like to put a cushion on the floor and sit on it, so that the bowl on the table is at chest height. Before scrying experiment with a comfortable seating position. For example, you may prefer to have the bowl very close to your face or very far away. This all depends on personal preference.
***
Scrying is the ancient practice of accessing the unconscious mind. While some forms of scrying may appeal to you, others may be incompatible. Finally, always ensure that you scry with an intention in mind, otherwise, you’ll walk away disappointed.
I hope you benefited from this article. Tell me, have you tried scrying? What was your experience like and what did you discover?
Photos by: lonerwolf ©
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Thanks for the article! I recently bought a glass (I know is better to have crystal but they are quite expensive and I just wanted to start and see how is my developement in scrying) and I tried it only once. It was very helpful from your article to read about “having something in mind”. I guess you can also stare and see what comes out but I will think what my inner feelings are and why do I want to be in the spiritual path. Maybe with that questions in mind I will have better results.
Cheers and good luck to you!
Scrying. My favorite. I love crystals. all types of them. balls. meth. pee pees. Def recommend boys. helped me become the man i am today.
I forgot to say that I asked any kind loving spirits who were present if they would like to show themselves in the bowl using my food coloring, mirror, lights and camera to do so. Then I swirled the water and you could see all these little white lights jump into the water and the pics are so cute they are spirit animals you can see them! Little white deer, fish, alligators whatever even elemental spirits. . .sounds crazy but these are the spirits that hang with me all the time. . . . .
I tried scrying (kind of an accident) but when I did it the results were amazing. I had no intention except to make art so my data was random. I had a great aunt who was a faith healer and I think there is something about our bloodline because when I performed the scrying activity I felt as if I had done it many many times before. I am interested in ITC spirit photography and I saw Steve Huff do a similar thing and he talked about scrying. I used a mirror and a bowl of water and a digital camera. I got amazing stuff. . .animals, fish, sharks, many birds, scenes from history (random like a scene from the Titanic with ship running into iceberg etc) Also saw futuristic “aliens” and space battles in black and white film! I saw an image of an alien family skipping along a beach that looks very similar to beaches I go to. Made me cry!! I didn’t realize what I had done at first but now I understand that scrying is self analytic and I have lot of work to do to interpret some of my images (I can be a little… Read more »
Very good info, thank u much.
Hello Luna! Wonderful article as always. I have always wondered if these kind of methods were useful in perceiving life better and understanding yourself and the world better. I did have question though, and I was wondering if you could help me:- So i have approached all your guides with a very open mind. I realize that the need of acceptance is something very important when you are delving into the world of spirits and the mystic. I intended to try out scrying because, after finding out my spirit animal (which was a wolf and a swan), not through some random test but though actual experimenting and observation and interaction too, i wanted an opportunity to communicate. However, whenever I try to engage in a method that involves trying to communicate with the other side, I have visions of this one long, white-haired female and a serious case of caution and wariness sets in, as if something is preventing me from engaging in it; and it keeps happening and makes me very paranoid, until i stop thinking about getting in contact with the spirits. This spirit image has also appeared multiple times in my dreams. is here anything you can… Read more »
I tried this method just few minutes ago. I bought a black marble bowl…i put a small crystal light blue one…. When i was relaxing down i felt pressure on my head and headache started…even tho my focus was within my body at the belly area…and on my breath….i had no expectations but my mind was wondering…after 30 minutes of relaxation….i was relaxed but i sensed tension inside my body….at some areas as i mentioned on my head….and my heart jumping up and down for no reason. After i realxed bit more i started to stare at the object inside the bowl with water…I noticed few images that left as soon as they were created inside the crystal….faces coming and going but not clear. My intention was To receive guidance at this point of my life because all have failed all my efforts to move forward even tho i inuitively know this is OK….and i am calm deep within….then i sow a shape of skull…like the one of death…or sometimes like an alien face…but that dissapeared in two seconds…i also noticed as i stared deeper into the object in the middle of the bowl the object completely dissapeared few times… Read more »
Great article, Luna! I have the impression I might have scried during meditation once, though it was very slight, since I only saw a symbol. To this day, I don’t know its meaning.
Your method looks very inviting though, I will try it out soon.
Also, I saw that the tarot were mentioned in one of the comments above, would you be interested in giving us your opinion and experiences (if you have any) on the matter some time? :>
I love these articles! I never heard the english word Scrying before, I like it.
Although the future can be seen (is a messy topic), this is the best approach.
I like your idea of using rainwater. And definitely a bonfire is a plus! I need one now!
There’s so many ways, like see falling objects (with or without intention).
P.S: It’s true that every culture has its own trance rituals. Modern western society has trance music :P
Thanks for this article, Luna. I highlighted, copied and pasted this article into Word and I’ll definitely give this a try.
I do have a couple questions about the images you see when you successfully scry:
I’m assuming these images are symbolic, like what you see in a dream, each thing having its own meaning. Are images from scrying like those in a dream, that require you to interpret them?
And if the images you see in scrying are symbolic like those from a dream, can you interpret them in the same manner, like you mentioned in your No Fluff Guide to Dream Interpretation?