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One great form of Divination to start out with is Scrying. First, get some sort of reflective object, such as a mirror or a crystal ball. You can even place a piece of black matte paper in an old picture frame, with clean glass, and use this as your reflective scrying surface (you can find a cool new witchy picture frame, or use one thats been passed down for generations, too!)
This will actually allow you to catch a glimpse of things to come as you are set on your current path. Keep in mind that things are constantly changing, reading your situation often is a good way to get a general idea of where you're headed, rather than a specific forecast of events to come, though that can happen too.
Keeping a journal of your scrying sessions can help you form a ritual and remember things you see in detail to review later!
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Turn off the lights and get your favorite incense going. The only light that should be in the room is a dim light, such as a candle set behind you. Cover the table you are going to use with a black cloth or piece of fabric. Now place the object you chose to use for Scrying on top of the table.
Start by warming up and getting into your meditative space, setting the tone for what you will be doing. When you are ready, open your eyes and look into the surface of your scrying instrument. Your focus should shift past the surface to a point somewhere approximately five or six inches beyond the surface. This may or may not work for you, but it is the best way to shift your focus for scrying. Have you ever looked at those pictures that are completely composed of colored dots or splotches and had to look past the surface to see the three-dimensional image in the picture? It is the same principle used here for scrying.
Try to keep your mind blank, open to whatever may be shown to you, unless you are scrying for the answer to a specific question. Your eyes will want to blink. That is all right, let them blink and regain your shift in focus. When you are first beginning, try to keep your scrying time to no more than ten or twenty minutes. If you are not successful, put it away and try again another time.
Images may come to you in any number of forms. Some may be full images, even moving pictures as though you are watching a movie. At first, you may only get a cloud or mist. This may eventually part to allow images to come through, or it may just move in one direction or another in answer to yes or no questions. The more you practice the more in tune you will become with this form of divination, since the connection and ability exist within yourself, only you can sharpen this tool.
If you do see images, they may be simple symbols left open for interpretation. These symbols usually mean something to you, and are not necessarily the symbols you may find written in a book. For instance, a dog may generally symbolize loyalty or protection, but if you were traumatized at some point in your life by a dog attack, it could mean something entirely different to you.
This is where keeping a divination journal comes in. You may see symbols or symbolism of things that aren't yet important. Keeping note of these symbols will help you look back and better understand them later. This, in turn, will help you understand the language and symbolism going forward.
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β’ Flame gazing (gazing into a candle flame or a fire)
β’ Smoke gazing (gazing into smoke from an incense or a fire)
β’ Water gazing (gazing into water, often dark water)
β’ Sky gazing (gazing at the blue sky, clouds, night sky, or stars)
Scrying is interpreting what you see in the images and colors as they take form. Some who use crystals focus on points of light on the surface. Others enter a state of altered consciousness and allow images to float into their inner awareness. Some scryers may actually see images appear on the surface of the speculum, while others see them in their mindβs eye. Some images are couched in symbols, and the scryer must learn how to interpret them.
This is similar to symbols in dreams - your personal connection to the images are much more important that what a book tells you about their meaning. Because images are brought up from your personal unconscious, itβs your spirit choosing certain things that you have a prior relationship to, to communicate keys to guide you in your growth. It couldnβt possibly use something that you donβt have a personal connection to (or know what a book says about its meaning). This is why it is important to dive deep and ask questions about your or relationship and associations with each image or symbol.
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β’ Wax β This is done by dripping wax onto a water surface. The scryer then interprets the images or words formed from the dried wax.
β’ Clouds β 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.
β’ Mirror β 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.
β’ Water β 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.
β’ Oil β 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.
β’ Fire β 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 itβs a bonfire!
β’ Smoke β As smoke rises from fire, its ethereal shapes present spiritual messages.
β’ Crystals β 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.
β’ Eye β This is unusual! Also called soul gazing, this form of scrying involves looking deep within a personβs eyes and observing the reflections
Letβs talk about the obsidian scrying mirror. These mirrors are made from polished volcanic glass which makes them a perfect surface for this form of scrying. Just like a crystal ball, this is an ancient form of divination involving gazing into the surface to see images or visions that reveal something about a specific question asked during the performance of this ritual.
It isnβt about seeing the future per se (though historically it has been used as such), but more about revealing parts of our unconscious, or the collective unconscious (which we are also a part of). It is a little like dream interpretation, where images and symbols hold personal meanings which can be read to gain deeper understanding. Obsidian is a stone of physic protection, grounding, cleansing of negativity and spirit communication.
So it is an excellent stone to use for both its practical mirrored surface, and it energetic properties while performing this practice.
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1. Cleanse the room in which you are going to do the scrying by with sage, palo Santo, sweet grass, or your chosen cleansing herb, you can also do a Reiki cleanse
2. Never use the mirror for anything else than its intended purpose
3. Never let anyone else look into it (only during the rite of scrying) and keep it in a silk or cloth bag when itβs not in use
4. Clean the surface on which you place the scrying mirror with a soft cloth
5. Before scrying always make sure you will not be disturbed by anything or anyone (lock the door if you must)
6. You can burn incense that you feel highness your physic connection and abilities. I personally love rose scent for opening my third eye and crown chakras.
7. Light two candles and put them on the table in front of your mirror. Choose the colours of the candled according to the work you intend to do (orange for communication, blue for healing, purple for receiving psychic messages etc.)
8. Always make sure that you have enough time to do your meditation thoroughly and that you reach a deep level of concentration
9. During that meditation ALWAYS ask for help, guidance and divine protection from your angels and spirit guides
10. Turn off all the light sources in the room before you start scrying, except for candles
11. Make sure nothing reflects in the mirrorβs surface
12. Keep a journal to write down your experiences
13. Now just relax clear your mind
Scrying has been used for thousands of years by different cultures around the world. Ancient Egypt used scrying in their Initiations. This included water scrying, dream scrying, oil scrying, and mirror scrying. One legend states that the goddess Hathor carried a shield that could reflect back all things in their true light. From this shield she allegedly fashioned the first magic mirror to βsee.β
In ancient Persia, the Shahnama, a semi-historical epic work written in the late 10th century, gives a description of what was called the Cup of Jamshid, used in pre-Islamic Persia, which was used by wizards and practitioners of the esoteric sciences for observing all the seven layers of the universe. Ancient Greeks and Celts practiced scrying using beryl, crystal, black glass, polished quartz, water, and other transparent or light catching bodies. Nostradamus is believed to have employed a small bowl of water as a scrying tool into which he gazed and received images of future events.
In Arab countries, scryers have used their own polished thumbnails. Dr. Morton Prince, a medical psychologist of the 19th century, used electric lightbulbs in scrying experiments with his patients. Wiccans use rounded mirrors, the convex side of which is painted black, or small cauldrons that are painted black on the inside and filled with water.
*Safety First*
This is generally a very safe practice, but here a few safety tips to keep in mind:
* Always cover your crystal ball with a cloth or bag when not in use. If its not covered and the sunlight hits it right (or wrong) it can completely burn your house down.
* Candles are great to have around when scrying, the light they emit is dim and inviting. Always keep fire safety in mind, never place your candles too close to ANY other objects or materials, and ALWAYS use a fire safe candle holder!