Hydromancy or Water Scrying

(c) Cheryl Lynne Bradley 2007



Scrying is a practice that dates back to the ancient Arabs and Egyptians which makes it one of the oldest forms of divination. Scrying using a Crystal Ball is one of the best known forms of fortune telling and often one of the first images stereotypically used regarding Divinatory practices. We are not restricted to the Crystal Ball as a tool for scrying: shiny stones, mirrors and any reflective object or surface can be utilized. Nostradamus used a brass bowl of water on a tripod and this method is called Hydromancy. The tool utilized to scry is called a Speculum. Scrying is used to answer questions, resolve problems, find what is lost or to solve criminal acts.

Water scrying was very popular with the Celts and other Shamanistic traditions. The Cup of Jamshid was used in Ancient Persia to divine. The liquid in the cup was said to be an elixir of immortality and looking into the cup allowed you to view the seven layers of the universe and deep truths were revealed. The Mirror of Galadriel in J.R.R. Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" was used to see past, present and future: the mirror was a pool of water.

If you would like to try your hand, or your eye, at Water Scrying, it is relatively simple to set up, getting results is somewhat more complicated. You need a bowl of water. A brass, silver or glass bowl would be nice but you have to use what you have on hand, so your favourite cereal bowl or tea cup is also a nice option here. I think a Tibetan Singing Bowl would work well for scrying as well. It is preferable to use water collected under a Full Moon from a stream or river. I am not a purist, tap water while the moon is full would certainly be adequate. If you are able to construct a tripod to set your chosen bowl on, please do. If you have access to laurel, bay or hazel branches use them to construct your base. If you aren't construction oriented, don't worry about it, a nice flat spot on your table or altar will do - like I said, I'm not a purist. A couple of candles appropriately coloured or charged for the issue you are scrying on should be placed about a foot from your scrying bowl.

Colour the water with dark green or dark blue food colouring - or whatever colour or combination of colours has appeal for you. It has to be dark enough that you can't see the bottom of the bowl. If you have a magic wand or a favourite crystal, you can wet the edge of the bowl and use your wand or crystal to rub the edge of the bowl - following the edge of the bowl all the way around. You can even just use the index finger of each hand and do alternating circles around the edge of the bowl. Each of these methods will create ripples in the water and energize it. You can use your hands to energize the bowl if you prefer. Using your left hand first, then your right, pass your hands, palm down, in a clockwise circular motion over the water an inch or two above to the surface - do three passes with each hand before switching (a bit of an upper body cardio workout, you always have to look for the hidden benefits). Pay attention to your breathing, breath slowly in through your nose and out through your mouth. Focus on your intuition and your issue while watching for any images reflected in the water. You will have to trust your own intuition for interpretation. Keep it as simple as possible.

Don't be discouraged because it may take time to actually see anything. View it as a form of deep meditation and relaxation. Make sure you have grounded and protected yourself properly as you would before undertaking any type of divination. A nice cup of tea before and eating something of the earth after to return you to ground will round out the divination. 

Mirror scrying 2

The Scrying Glass

The scrying glass is a dark concave surface of reflective material. One can easily be constructed by using the curved glass face of a clock and painting the convex side with glossy black paint.

Once the paint has thoroughly dried, bath the mirror in an herbal brew of rosemary, fennel, rue, vervain, ivy and walnut leaves (or bark). If you want to be truly traditional, pour some sea foam into the mixture.To charge the glass, take a deep breath and then slowly exhale outward upon the potion. Repeat this three times. Remove the mirror from the potion and dry it off thoroughly.

Prop the mirror up vertically, supported by two sturdy books or book ends to hold it in place. Hold your right hand out in front of you so that your palm is facing the convex side of the mirror. Then place the left palm facing the concave side, about three inches away from the glass surface. You are now ready to magnetize the mirror.

With the left hand begin making a circular clockwise motion across the surface of the mirror. Do this for a few minutes and then repeat this on the convex side of the mirror with the right hand. The opposite hand is always held still while the moving hand circulates.

Divination

Scrying is a very ancient technique common among shamanistic traditions. Divination itself is the ability to discern patterns that are forming, moving toward manifestation. What you "see" is actually what is likely to occur if nothing changes the divinatory images one perceives.

The use of a scrying bowl is one of the traditional methods of fortune-telling. This very basic method employs a dark liquid formula.

Pour some bottled water into a medium-sized bowl such as a soup bowl.
Add a few drops of blue or green food coloring to the water, enough to ensure that the liquid is dark and obscures the bottom of the bowl. At this point you should have a dark reflective surface to gaze into.
Place two candles as your source of light, making sure that the light does not reflect upon the liquid.
Setting them a foot or two in front of you, one candle off to each side should work.
Next perform a series of hand passes over the liquid in the bowl, slowly and deliberately.
In the magical arts, the right hand generates an electrical charge and the left hand a magnetic charge. Left-handed passes attract and draw images, forming them in the dark liquid. Right handed passes will strengthen the images appearing there, and focus them more clearly.
Begin scrying by making left-handed passes over the bowl, in a clockwise circle, just a few inches above the water (palms open and facing down).
Stop and gaze into the dark liquid, not at its surface but deep into the bowl.
Usually several repeated passes of the hands are required during the scrying process. Alternate between the left hand and the right hand.
This requires patience and time.
Use your intuition as you sit before the bowl.
Make sure the area is quiet and there are no distractions. With practice, images will begin to form within the liquid. Sometimes they will be symbolic or suggestive images. At other times they may form as faces, objects, or places you are already familiar with. It is important to simply allow the images to form. Do not rush them, or become anxious when they begin to appear.
Try to remain calm and receptive. Watch the images until they fade away.
At first, interpreting the meaning of what you see is like trying to find meaning within a dream but with time you will begin to understand the symbols, their meaning and the importance of their appearance.

Scrying

The art and practice of divination is a tradition that dates back to the ancient Druids. Halloween is probably the best time to perform this act so the following text uses Halloween as an example, it is not however restricted to it. On this night time and space are suspended, and our connection to the supernatural world is the strongest, allowing prophecy to take place. Halloween divination in various forms is still practiced today by a wide variety of cultures.

The most sacred of the Witches eight Sabbats has long been regarded as the ideal time for engaging in all manners of psychic work. It is a mysterious night when Witches throughout the world clairvoyantly peer into the past, the present and the future.

The traditional Halloween divination method favoured by those who belong to the Craft is that of scrying also known as gazing into crystal balls, magic mirrors, and the flames of candles, outdoor bonfire or cauldron fires. The term "scrying" derives from the old English word descry, means "to perceive from distance; to discover by the eye." The divinatory use of crystals is said to date back to circa 1,000 B.C. Undeniably, it is one of the oldest forms of divination that continues to be practiced in modern times.

The correct method of scrying into a crystal ball is as follows:
Before consulting the crystal, allow yourself to enter into a meditative state. Focus your mind on a particular question or issue, and then gaze into the surface of the crystal ball. (You will most likely find that the best results are achieved when your scrying is performed in a darkened room with the bright light of a full moon, the gentle glow of a candle's flame or some other light source that reflects off the crystal's surface.) In time, a vision should form. It may be an entire scenario or simply one or more symbols that will require interpretation on your part.

It is common for many crystal gazers to experience the formation of "clouds" within or around the crystal ball. The colours of the clouds and the directions in which they more are said to be highly significant. Traditionally, clouds that move to the right are considered to be a sign that a benign guiding spirit is present, but clouds that move to the left indicate that the spirit is unwilling or unable to offer guidance at the present time. Clouds that move in an upward direction indicate an affirmative answer to the scryer's question, while a negative reply is shown by clouds that move in a downward direction.

The colours of clouds also show meanings: White clouds are believed to be favorable omens. Black ones are viewed as unlucky. Red clouds, depending upon the scryer's personal interpretation, can either indicate a fiery, passionate love affair or serve as a warning of impending danger. Green clouds, a colour associated with money, generally indicate an increase in riches, unless the clouds are seen moving in a downward (negative) direction. Yellow clouds are said to indicate betrayal. Blue clouds are signs of peace and tranquility. Violet clouds indicate spiritual strength, psychic growth and enlightenment.

Sometimes a crystal ball's clouds - regardless of their colour - will gradually or suddenly yield to a clear vision of a future, present or even past event.

The art of crystal gazing (which is technically known as "crystallomancy" is one that requires a good deal of concentration and practice, and a novice scryer should not become discouraged if he or she does not achieve immediate results. As with any art, some people require more time to master the crystal ball, while others seem to be born with a natural gift for it.

Many crystal gazers ritually recharge their crystal balls once every month by placing them either on an outdoor altar or on a windowsill where they can absorb the rays of the full moon. Most keep their crystal balls covered by a black silk handkerchief when they are not in use, and don't allow anyone to handle them, for they believe that this action disturbs or diminishes it's occult vibrations, requiring it to be re-consecrated and recharged with the gazers own psychic energy.

In addition to gazing into crystal balls, many Witches utilize the steady flame of a candle, a water-filled cauldron, or what are known as magic mirrors as a focus for their Halloween scrying rituals. A magic mirror is also known as a Witch's looking glass, it can be an ordinary mirror, however typically they are made of dark polished stone, such as black obsidian, or fashioned from a slightly curved piece of glass with the concave side painted black. Many famous practitioners of the occult arts, such as John Dee, Agrippa, Albertus magnus, have been known to possess one. (John Dee who's astrological and psychic services were provided to clients of nobility, utilized a black obsidian mirror he called a "shew stone". It is currently on display at the British Museum. The divinatory use of the magic mirror is a very old one, dating back to the time of the Roman Empire. The ancient Greeks and Italians, as well as the Magi of Persia were said to have been highly adept in magic mirror divination, employing it religiously. To scry flames, cauldrons or magic mirrors, and other objects, follow the same method used as with the crystal ball.

An Overview of Different Types of Scrying

by Muadhnait
http://realmagick.com/articles/56/2056.html

Scrying is a method of divination. It consists of gazing into a crystal, a mirror or some water for example, anything shiny really, in order to enter altered mind states...A good cliché that best describes scrying is the gypsy fortune-teller and her large crystal ball. :^) There are different scrying tools, like crystal, water, ink, oil, even fire.

Scrying works on the principles of the Ganzfeld effect. If you have ever had to stare at a blank wall until you began to feel dizzy, to hallucinate and see patterns, then you know what the Ganzfeld state is!

The degree of success with gazing depends on one's ability to concentrate. The effort taken in this enterprise will eventually pay off, do not give up if you don't "see" anything the first time you attempt to scry!

USING A CRYSTAL BALL

There is no specific method to know which crystal ball suits you, it will "call to you" when you see it. Once you decide on one, choose a quiet place where you will not be disturbed. The lights should be dim, it's preferable that you only lit a couple of candles only, placed low and behind you. Remember to sit in a comfortable chair, you should be perfectly relaxed. Take a deep breath, clear your mind from any thoughts, and gaze intensely into the crystal. This might cause you to blink or bring tears to your eyes, so try to relax them, closing them about half way. Now is the perfect time to link your third eye to the crystal: visualize a ray of light coming from between your eyes and entering the crystal.

Now watch for the clouding of the crystal that will come from a small light. The clouds will develop and then clear until you begin to see precise patterns and pictures. Do not try to interpret those visions immediately, you will see a whole sequence that will lead you to the answer of your question. Don't waste your time writing everything down, it's best to use a tape recorder because sometimes the flow of pictures is too fast.

Remember, stay relaxed and try not to confuse real symbols with what you want to see, i.e. psychologically induced patterns.

SHELL SCRYING

I find this modern scrying method quite odd and frankly hard to believe. Perhaps you might want to try it. I'm sure you're familiar with the sounds of a shell when you place it over your ear. It sounds like the ocean, but it's in fact your blood flowing through the vessels in your ear.

If you listen to this sound until you're in some sort of trance state, you might be able to pick up fragments of conversation. At first you might only make out a few words, but in time you will come to understand "conversations" that predict the future.

SMOKE SCRYING

Now that method is a bit more believable. :-) Smoke scrying is best done while relaxing in front of a fire. Do not follow the smoke up but rather allow the smoke to form patterns within your gaze. You will see visions of future events. The Native Americans practice a special type of smoke scrying. It's called a sweat lodge; water is poured over hot rocks in a tent to create steam. Then people sit naked around the rocks to inhale the steam. The combination of temperature, humidity and elevated levels of carbon dioxide produce a state in which visions can arise. Needless to say, this method is dangerous.

WATER SCRYING

This is a very ancient scrying method. The Celts used it quite often. What you need is a large, deep bowl made from glass, brass or silver. You must set your base on (preferably) a tripod made of laurel boughs for best results. Fill the bowl with clean, fresh water from a stream. The water may be stored in a vessel and used again. The important thing is not to collect the water during the day, but rather during the night, and preferably on a full moon. This is done because of the close connection between water, the moon and the Goddess. You should also have a wand. Use either a branch from a bay or hazel tree, or laurel. The end of the wand should be covered in dry tree sap or resin. Dip the end of the wand into the water until it becomes wet. Wet the borders of the bowl. Gently drawing the rim of the wand around the bowl it will cause it to resonate. The resonating bowl will cause circular ripples to form in the basin. It is up to you t interpret the visions.

MIRROR SCRYING

Mirror scrying is quite common, and it is an evolved form of water scrying. The early mirrors were made of polished copper or silver, brass, tin foil or mercury behind glass. John Dee used a black mirror of obsidian.

Because mirrors are linked to the moon, they should be backed with silver. The size of your scrying mirror doesn't matter, but the shape does, so use either a round or an oval mirror.

Most seers prefer using a black mirror. Simply take out the glass and paint it black. When you put it back in the frame make sure the glass part is to the front. When using the black mirror for scrying you do not want to see your reflection. Thus you should leave the mirror on a table and look at it from an angle. Look into the depths of the mirror as though you were looking into a bowl of water. At first it may appear grey than colors will come and go. With time and practice you will be able to see images. The visions may even exist outside the mirror, either surrounding it or surrounding the scryer.

CLOUD SCRYING

Now that is an original scrying method! And it's interesting to note that the most famous example is of Christian origin. I'm sure you've all read about the Roman Emperor Constantine, who had a Christian mother. I remember watching a film called: "Constantine and the Cross." In 312 A.D., when that emperor was marching against the army of Maxentius in Rome, he and his men saw a shining cross of light amid the clouds. The cross bore the Greek words: "By this you shall conquer." Later that night, Christ appeared to Constantine in his dreams holding a cross and asking him to have a military standard shaped like a cross. Thanks to this standard, the emperor's army won the battle. From that day on, several battles have been witnessed in the clouds. Symbols of both political and religious significance have been seen in the clouds. The Druids were renowned for using that scrying method. Cloud scrying is essentially done on days when cloud conditions are good. Having too few or too many clouds is no good for scrying. The best is when the clouds are thick. Find a nice location to lie down and relax. Try not to focus on one cloud but rather allow the clouds to drift across your view. Visions will come naturally to you. Personally, I think people who look up at the sky and see "only clouds" without guessing what the shapes might symbolize have no imagination whatsoever. :^)

EGYPTIAN DREAM SCRYING

Egyptian dream scrying can be traced back thousands of years. In preparing to use this scrying method you must not speak to anyone on the evening you plan to scry. Also, refrain from having sex and consuming alcohol and eating. Take a long purifying bath, then anoint your temples with olive oil. Prepare an oil lamp that bears no inscription on it. It can be of any color except red. Red is the color of the evil God Set. Write on a small strip of white linen with ink mixed with myrrh the name of your dream God/dess and the purpose of the dream scrying. Twist the linen strip and insert it into the oil of the lamp. Place the lamp on a table beside your bed. Using the ink draw the image of the dream God/dess upon your left palm. You must decide which God or Goddess you wish to use. Thoth was well used with the Egyptians. Light your lamp. Kneel before it. Concentrating on the image on your left hand recite the following invocation:

"(Thoth) I invoke, blessed power of dreams divine,
Angel of future fates, swift wings are thine,
Great source of oracles to human kind,
When stealing soft, and whispering to the mind,
Through sleep's sweet silence and the gloom of night,
Thy power awake the sight,
To silent souls the will of heaven relates,
And silently reveals their future fates."

Concentrate on the question you wish to know the answer to. Around your left hand wrap a piece of black linen. The cloth is known as the "black" of Isis. Blow out the flame of the lamp. Now you can go to sleep. Have a tape recorder beside your bed so that when you awaken you may record your dreams while still fresh in your mind. You will find that the dream will come to you in a voice that is clear and powerful rather than in dream images. Sometimes the message is sent in cryptic/symbolic form.

OIL SCRYING

Oil scrying is yet another ancient method of divination. It can be traced back to the Babylonians. One of their techniques was called the "Princess of the Thumb". A scryer anointed the forehead and thumbnail of a subject. The shiny nail acted as a magic mirror in which the scryer saw spirits.
Another version was called the "Princess of the Hand". Oil was mixed with black soot to make a paste that was then smeared upon the hand. The scryer then used the hand to see future events.
A third type of oil scrying was called the "Princess of the Cup". Sesame seed oil was used to coat the inside of a cup that was rested on its side. The cup was used to capture and magnify the light of a candle that was fixed on its inner rim.
From the Babylonians, oil scrying found its way to the Egyptians and Hebrews. The latter used four kinds of water mixed with oil. If you wish to use that method effectively: if you call upon the heavenly Gods then use rainwater; if you invoke the terrestrial Gods then use sea water; if you invoke the Osiris or Serapis use river water; and if you call upon the souls of the dead then use spring water.

The Cup of Djemscheed

The Cup of Jamshid (Cup of Djemscheed or Jaam-e Jam, in Persian: جام جم) is a cup of divination, which in Persian mythology was long possessed by the rulers of ancient Greater Iran. The cup has also been called Jam-e Jahan nama, Jam-e Jahan Ara, Jam-e Giti nama, and Jam-e Kei-khosrow. The latter refers to Kaei Husravah in the Avesta, and Sushravas in the Vedas.

The cup has been the subject of many Persian poems and stories. Many authors ascribed the success of the Persian Empire to the possession of this artefact. It appears extensively in Persian literature.

The cup ("Jām") was said to be filled with an elixir of immortality and was used in scrying. As mentioned by Ali-Akbar Dehkhoda, it was believed that all seven heavens of the universe could be observed by looking into it (از هفت فلک در او مشاهده و معاینه کردی). It was believed to have been discovered in Persepolis in ancient times. The whole world was said to be reflected in it, and divinations within the cup were said to reveal deep truths. Sometimes, especially in popular depictions such as The Heroic Legend of Arslan, the cup has been visualized as a crystal ball. Helen Zimmern's English translation of the Shahnameh uses the term "crystal globe".

From wikipedia

Crystal Skull

The famous Crystal Skull is an ancient Mayan made from rock crystal. The skull was discovered by explorer F.A. Mitchell-Hedges in 1927 at Lubaantun, British Honduras.

It is estimated the skull may be up to 12,000 years old.

The skull was shaped by a succession of Mayan priests from a large block of pure crystal. It is thought it may have taken over 150 years to complete the skull.

The skull is said to bring a curse on those who mock it. Observers have reported sounds, odours and amazing light effects. Laboratory tests that were carried out by Hewlett-Packard Company, Santa Clara, California reveal the skull has optical properties which would be virtually impossible to duplicate with modern day equipment.

There is a similar but rougher counterpart to the Mayan Skull. Discovered in 1889 in Mexico it is much cruder in execution. It is currently on display at the British Museum of Mankind, in London.

There is also the Paris Crystal Skull. A single piece of clear quartz held in the Trocadero Museum in Paris. It came allegedly from a soldier of fortune in Mexico in the late 1880's. It has the most primitive of facial features and design.

The Amethyst Crystal Skull is a single piece of amethyst crystal discovered in a Mayan cache of artifacts in Mexico by a Mayan Brotherhood in the early 1900's. Features are the circular indentations in the temple and a white squiggly line that goes the circumference of the skull.

There is said to be a total of thirteen crystal skulls in existence today.

http://www.v-j-enterprises.com/CrystalSkullsbyJoshua204.html

(Now, why is this on this blog? People say these skulls are extrapotent "crystal balls", especially when lights and sounds are used to amplify the effect. Who knows.) 

John Dee’s Scrying Methods

John Dee (1527 to 1608) was one of the greatest scryers in history. Dee's private library of books was renowned throughout Europe. Through his studies Dee was well versed in the magic of the ancient world.

In 1591 he became strongly interested in spirit communication when he started having troublesome dreams and hearing knocking noises. He records these disturbances in his private diary. Dee began by trying to see visions within a small rock crystal.

Dee met Edward Kelley in 1582 when he came to his house seeking information about turning base metals into pure gold. Kelley had little interest in the angels other than trying to use them to make money. The angels treated Kelley with contempt and only used him as a line of communication to Dee. Dee had a strong interest in using the angels as political channels, but the angels where not interested. The angels where only interested in passing on the system of Enochian magic. The actual scrying method of Enochian magic was recorded in Dee's diary Libri Mysteriorum.

Dee's crystal was a small globe of rock crystal. Sometimes Dee used a mirror of obsidian which he called his jet shewstone. The crystal rested within a golden frame that had a cross on top. The crystal in its frame rested upon a seal called Sigillum Aemeth. The angel Uriel gave instructions about this. The Sigillum resides in the British museum today. The Sigillum was placed in the middle of Dee's scrying table. The angels gave instructions for the table as well. It was to be made of sweetwood and two cubits in all directions. A magic square of twelve Enochian letters occupies the centre of the table. The table was draped with a white silk cloth. Around the central square of the table were seven talisman known as Ensigns of Creation. Dee always opened each scrying session with a prayer.

Dees method shows just how exact a scryers table must be. The details were dictated to Dee by the angels.

From MonaMagick

Mirror scrying

http://www.groveofthegreatdragon.com/Divination/Mirror_Scrying.htm

Mirror scrying is an evolved form of water scrying. When it became possible to build mirrors they were regarded as being like water that was fixed into one place.

The early mirrors were made of polished copper, brass, marcasite, tin foil or mercury behind glass, polished silver and obsidian.

All types of mirrors may be used for scrying and the size is not important.

Because mirrors are linked to the moon mirrors should be backed with silver.

Try and use a round or oval mirror instead of a square mirror.

For the frame try and use a mirror that has a silver frame.

Old mirrors also seem to work better than new mirrors.

Most seers prefer to use a black mirror. Because this is difficult to buy you may have to make one.

Just simply take out the glass and paint it black. You may have to give it a few coats of paint though. When you put it back in the frame make sure the glass part is to the front.

The use of black mirrors may be traced back over the centuries. John Dee used a black mirror of obsidian.

When using the black mirror for scrying you do not want to see your reflection. The best is to leave the mirror on a table and look at it from an angle. Look into the depths of the mirror as though you were looking into a bowl of water. At first it may appear gray than colors will come and go. With time and practice you will be able to see scried images like still photographs or moving film images.
Spirits may sometimes look at the scryer, talk to the scryer or even touch the scryer. The visions may even exist outside the mirror and surround the scryer on all sides.

The black scrying mirror, or magick mirror, is a powerful psychic tool. It can bring the user hidden knowledge and clairvoyant ability and can act as a portal to other planes of existence. History shows its use in many of the traditional mystery schools and oracular temples. Today the serious student of magickal arts can rediscover the ancient rites of the magick mirror, for these techniques are again coming to light.

Scrying can be defined as the mantic art of gazing into or upon a crystal or dark mirror, allowing the physical eyes to relax, thus letting the inner psychic eyes begin to open and receive desired visions or information. The use of the black mirror is one of the best methods of achieving the state of mind required for entering trance and for scrying work. It not only acts as a focal point for visualization but can become a doorway into the astral plane. It allows communication with higher realms and the subconscious and access to Akashic records. The traditional crystal ball is also a wonderful tool, but it is more difficult to scry with and is extremely expensive. The mirror is a more efficient way to begin to learn to scry and journey in other realms. However, all techniques in this article may be used with a crystal ball as well as the black scrying mirror.

Consider the reality of the Akashic records, in which all ideas, actions, influences and vibrations are stored. The practiced scryer has the ability to "read" these records and focus on this vast source of timeless knowledge with the aid of the mirror and a strongly directed imagination. Guides from the world of spirit often lead the scryer in astral travel and mental journeying through the black mirror or crystal sphere. Scrying develops one's clairvoyant abilities and is especially helpful in strengthening the third eye.

The preparation and construction of the mirror is extremely important. The black scrying mirror must be created with the highest magickal standards and traditions. At the full moon, specially cut glass disks are cleansed and magnetized. They are then anointed with a powerful herbal fluid condenser to attract and hold energy, vital force and any charge given them. A tincture of gold and moonstone is then applied to the surface, and they are ritually blessed under the light of the full moon. They remain for a night and a day within a circle of protection. The black coating is then applied to seal in the energy, and a felt backing is put on to protect the mirror and absorb later applications of fluid condenser.

The mirror stand is carved  rosewood, ebony or teak.

Ways in which the black mirror can be used

To contact spirit guides
To access knowledge
For healing and self improvement
As a magickal transmitter and receiver
For divining the past, present and future
As a portal to the astral plane
For shamanic journeying
For ritual invocation and evocation
To improve visualization skills
Preparing to work with the black scrying mirror

Always keep the surface very clean using alcohol and a soft cloth.
Never use it for anything but its intended magickal purpose.
Do not let others look into its surface, except in ritual context.
Keep it stored in a silk bag when not in use.
Frequently recharge the mirror with vital force and fluid condenser, as explained following.
Practice the visual exercises described following until mastered.
Keep the working area clean and free from any disturbance.

Generally, scry using the mirror at night, preferably during the full or new moon, depending on the operation. The mirror can be used at any time, but tends to work better at these points.

When indoors, light two votive candles, one on each side of the mirror. Use white or colored candles appropriate to the work: blue for healing, purple for psychic work, orange for communication, and so on.
(For more suggestions on candle colors, see any standard table of correspondences, for example in Scott Cunningham's books or The Spiral Dance).

Burn a lunar or psychic blend incense before working with the mirror.

Place the mirror on a wooden table or altar with a clean cloth beneath it and be seated on a wooden chair in front of it, or if you prefer, assume a comfortable asana on the floor with the mirror before you.

Extinguish all light sources except the candles and/or moonlight.

Allow nothing to reflect in the mirror's surface. It should appear as  a dark tunnel or window.

Before starting, always create a sacred space to work in. Cast a circle of protection or visualize the area surrounded by white light and protection from false or misleading influences - call your guides and guardians to protect the working.

Keep a journal to record your experiences.

The rite of scrying

First, clearly decide what you seek or are trying to accomplish in the working and prepare appropriately. Then prepare the work area carefully as suggested previously.

Once you are ready, close your eyes and begin to relax; feel every part of your body releasing, relieved of all tension. Visualize your circle of protection and know you are safe and in control of all that happens within it. Begin to breath rhythmically and fully; try a count of four in, hold four, release four, four in, hold four, release four and so on. Feel yourself entering a light trance surrounded by sacred space, removed from time and the material world. Silently call your guides or guardians of the work, invoking the Goddess or calling angelic presences, spirit guides, watchtowers, astral guardians or whatever you prefer. Reaffirm your desire and the purpose of the work.

Now open your physical eyes and gaze into the mirror; remain relaxed and do not hesitate to blink when necessary. Relax the focus of your eyes but remain alert. After a while, the surface of the mirror will begin to change and fade; a dark mist will appear.

Your inner eyes will now open, and the journey into the mirror begins. Remember that the inner eye sees inside the mind, through the magickal imagination. Most people when scrying do not see the images appear with the physical eyes on the mirror's surface but see within the mirror and in the mind's eye. The mirror acts as a focal point, a gateway within.

When you have completed your journey or work you set out to do, begin the return to your body and ordinary senses. Breath fully and deeply, and remain still until you feel you have completely returned. Now close your eyes and remember all you saw and felt during the scrying or journey. Review your entire experience mentally.

Write it all down immediately in a journal kept for this purpose.

To begin to see

This is a very important exercise to master if you are new to scrying or are having trouble receiving images. It will aid your "visual imagination," which allows your psychic and physical eyes to see clearly together. It gives clairvoyant strength.

Sit before your mirror and begin to imagine objects on its surface, one after another. You should try to see these images clearly in the mirror with your eyes open, just as if they were there in reality. Try simple shapes or colors first. Hold onto the image of each shape, object or color one minute before dissolving it and going on to the next. For example, use a red triangle, a yellow square, a blue circle and silver crescent; see them appear in the mirror using your firm imagination. For best results, do this exercise every day for 15 minutes until it is mastered.

This exercise is well worth the effort; it gives magickal discipline and strengthens the inner eye so visions can come with clarity and ease.

Charging the mirror with light

To charge and empower the mirror with light force is a simple but powerful process. It should be done frequently, especially just before using the mirror, so as to ensure you see correct visions, connect with positive energy and do not experience interference.

First, you must imagine that white light is collecting inside your body, being channeled down from the crown chakra. The body becomes a vessel filled with light. Remember to breathe fully, deeply and rhythmically. Now stand in front of the mirror and direct the palms of your hands toward one another. Imagine that the internal light is now moving into your hands, forming a ball of condensed white light between them. See and feel this clearly in your imagination. When ready, begin to project this ball of light into the surface of the mirror, purifying and enlivening the mirror, filling it with magickal force. See the light "soak" into the mirror. This process needs to be repeated until the mirror feels "full."

This process can also be used to give a special or programmed charge to the mirror. Follow the steps preceding and create the ball of light between your hands, then mentally project your desire into the light before projecting the light into the mirror. This technique can be used for healing works and self-improvement. You can also charge the light with a specific color or vibration - whatever can be felt or imagined can be put into the mirror to aid the magickal energy. The empowering exercise can be used for other magickal operations as well, such as charging other magickal tools and the giving of healing light to another person. All it takes is a strong desire and powerful imagination.

Locking the charge into the mirror is accomplished by willpower. When the light has been absorbed into the mirror, state in your mind and with all the faith you can muster that the charge will remain as long as you require it. To release or remove a special charge, simply reverse the procedure, pulling the light out of the mirror into the space between your hands. Then disperse the energy into the atmosphere through the imagination. Do not draw it back into the body - see it return to the universe.

Creation and use of the fluid condenser

A fluid condenser is an infusion of herbs with tinctures, essences and gold added. It serves to hold the mirror's magickal charge and attract elemental force. The condenser can be used not only on mirrors but also on all other ritual tools you want to charge for ceremonial use. The use of certain herbs, stones and metals in small quantities attracts etheric energy of a like kind. These fluids can be made individually to represent each of the elements or to enhance a particular work. I recommend making a universal fluid condenser that will work for all purposes, having all elements represented along with tincture of gold, representing solar and God energy, and essence of moonstone, representing lunar and Goddess energy.

The fluid is applied to recharge the mirror and to draw magickal symbols upon it for use in ritual. When the mirror is not in use, it is wise to anoint its surface with the fluid before putting it away. The fluid can be cleaned off with alcohol or distilled water later.

To make the fluid, you must first gather the herbs you need. They can be fresh or dried, but the more life force they contain, the better. The list of herbs following includes some suggestions, but you need not use all the herbs to make a good condenser. Use the ones you can find of good quality.

Once gathered, the herbs are placed in a pot with distilled water or rainwater. There should be about an ounce of each herb and enough water in the pot to cover the contents completely. Bring this mixture to a boil, and then turn down the flame and let it simmer for an hour with the pot lid on. When this is done, let the mixture cool and strain it through a muslin cloth. Put the liquid back into the pot and simmer without the lid until only a quarter of the original amount is left. When this is cool, add the gold tincture, about 13 drops to each pint of liquid. Then add the essence of moonstone. If gold tincture and essence of moonstone are not available, gold chloride or gold salts can be used and whole moonstones and crystals added to the mixture as a vibrational additive. Gold tincture can also be made at home with fairly good results.

To make gold tincture, take a pure piece of gold and holding it with a pair of pliers heat it over a flame until red hot. The red-hot gold is then dunked into a container of about half a quart of distilled water or rainwater. The heat and rapid cooling causes gold molecules to remain in the liquid. This process should be repeated nine times in the same water. Be careful of the rising steam, and try not to get the hot pliers into the water!

When you have combined all the fluid condenser ingredients together in a sterilized glass container, then add an equal amount of wood or isopropyl alcohol to act as a preservative. Store the condenser in an air-tight glass container in a dark place, and it will last for years.

For a very powerful and personalized condenser, add a few drops of your own blood to the mixture. Quartz crystals can be left in the fluid while it is stored to keep it clear.

Herbs for the fluid condenser

For the water element: elder flowers, water lily, orris root, white rose, willow, cucumber seeds, jasmine
For the fire element: red poppy, cinnamon bark, bay leaves, orange peel, rosemary, marigold, galangal, damiana, tobacco, nutmeg
For the earth element: oak, ivy, cypress, mugwort, vervain, patchouli herb, wheat, primrose
For the air element: mistletoe, acacia, clover, pine, sage, lavender, verbena
For spirit: gold, blood, crystal
For healing: juniper, thyme, mandrake, tansy, elder, coriander, lavender, life-everlasting, sage, cypress
For universal fluid condenser: chamomile, dittany of Crete, ivy, oak leaves, bay leaves, almonds, cypress, clover, grape leaves, rose petals, mugwort, jasmine, vervain, mandrake root

Incense for psychic work

The best incense to use when working with the mirror or any scrying device is lunar or psychic in nature, representing the sphere of Yesod. These types of blends may be purchased or created by yourself and must be burned on self-igniting charcoal disks. Here are some excellent recipes for fine-quality magickal incense to be used for the rites of scrying.

Lunar blend incense:

A base of white sandalwood powder
Orris root and myrrh in equal parts
Oil of jasmine and jasmine flowers
Oil of lotus and synthetic ambergris
A small pinch of refined camphor
Poppy and cucumber seeds

Blend together sandalwood, myrrh, and orris root, and crush them together into a powder. True refined camphor is hard to come by, but if you should have some available, add a pinch to the powdered base. Also add at this time the poppy and/or dried cucumber seeds. Put this mixture aside in an air-tight jar.

Next, blend the jasmine, ambergris and lotus oils together in equal parts. Coat the dried jasmine flowers with the blended oil and set them aside in an air-tight jar. Let these sit until the next full moon. On the evening of the full moon, mix together (in a silver or crystal bowl if possible) the oil-soaked flowers and the powder base with your hands, meditating as you mix on the beauty and wisdom of Mother Moon. Ask her to bless this incense with Her magick.

Scrying incense (psychic blend):

A base of mastic gum, myrrh, galangal powder and frankincense
Mugwort and wormwood herbs
Rose petals and lavender buds
Green cardamom pods and star anise
Bay leaves
Oils of mimosa and lotus, and dark musk

Blend together mastic, myrrh, galangal and frankincense in equal parts and grind to a powder base. Add a few cardamom and star anise seeds to the base and put aside in an air-tight jar. Now mix equal parts of ground mugwort, wormwood and bay, about half the amount used in the powder base. Coat this mixture with dark musk oil, and put it aside in a sealed jar. Mix the lavender and rose petals together, coat them with mimosa and lotus oil and put them aside in a sealed jar. Let the ingredients stand for nine days during the waxing of the moon.

Then blend all ingredients together by hand. As you mix, meditate upon your spirit guide and developing your psychic abilities. Know that when the incense is burned, your inner eyes will open and a link will be formed between you and world of spirit. (It is best to remove anise and cardamom seeds from the incense before burning; their scent will have been absorbed by the incense base.)

Water Gazing

The Wiccan Garden: Water Scrying
http://www.angelfire.com/on/wicca/H20Gaze.html

The simplest technique is known as gazing or scrying, in which water is used to create symbols of the future. To perform this ancient rite, pour water into a blue ceramic bowl. Ask your question. Sit with your back to the light in a darkened room and gaze into but not at the water. (Some people add a few drops of blue food color or ink to the water to darken it; this is particularly useful when using a light colored bowl.)

As with a crystal ball, the water may cloud. Eventually you may begin to see symbols within its cool depths. Make note of any such symbols. When no further symbols are seen, begin the process of interpretation.

Some water gazers prefer to have the light of a candle reflected on the water surface. Others take the bowl outside on a cloudless night and, capturing the moon's reflection, divine by its appearance on the water.

Floating

In addition to scrying, water has been used in a number of ways to determine the future. One of these has been in use since ancient Greek times. Take a specific object- a slice of bread, a leaf or some other light object- to a lake or spring. While asking a yes or no question, throw the object into the water. If it sinks, the answer is yes; if it continues to float, or sinks but rises and is washed up on the bank, the answer is no.

Steam

Steam can also provide divinatory responses. This form requires a mirror hung on a wall and a low table placed before it. Fill a large pot with water and heat to boiling on the stove. Remove the pot and place it on a hot pad before the mirror. As the steam rises, it will cloud the mirror. You may gaze in the misty mirror, or wait for the steam to condense and drip down its silvered face. The drips may form themselves into a letter or letters, which can then be interpreted.

Crystal Gazing

From Scott Cunningham: Divination for Beginners

Crystal Gazing is best performed at night, ideally on the full moon or during its waxing. Lower the lights but leave at least one candle burning; the room shouldn't be comletely dark. Sit with your back to the light source.

The room should be absolutely silent. Sounds will jeopardize the possibility of seeing anything at all, for they will distract your mind from the process.

Ask your question. Questions asked can be about the past, present, or the future. Gaze into the sphere, not at it's outer surface or at any reflections from the room that may be visible. Let yourself go. Blink when necessary- there's no reason to strain your eyes. Also, don't concentrate. This is precisely the opposite state which you should be. Open your awareness.

The first sign that something is happening will be clouding of the crystal. It may seem to be filled with a milky white substance that swirls around within the sphere. Relax and keep gazing. The milkiness may change from white to other colors but not all seers have experienced this phenomenon. Eventually it will turn black.

Images will then appear within the sphere. Words will not be seen within the sphere. The symbols created within the crystal will usually relate to your question. Remember what you see- this is vital for later later interpretation. Don't attempt to unlock the message while actually gazing; focus on the symbols themselves.

Eventually, the meassages will disolve into the mist, and the mist itself will seem to disappear, as if a curtain had been drawn across the ball. This always marks the end of the gazing session.