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A mode of divination practiced since ancient times with the
help of a crystal lobe, a pool of water, or any transparent
object.
Also, it can be accomplished with water, ink, and other like
substances in the divination called hydromancy.
The divinatory practitioner is known as the scryer while the
practice is known as scrying. Depending on the era the practice
ranges from a simple to an elaborate form. However, the main
purpose of the objects is always to induce in the clairvoyant
a state of hypnosis so the seer can see visions in the crystal.
The crystal most favored by crystal gazers is a spherical or
oval globe, about four inches in diameter, and preferably a
genuine rock-crystal. It may be white, blue, violet, yellow,
green, opalescent, or transparent. Blue and amethyst colors
are less tiring on the eyes. Such a rock-crystal is very expensive
and is many times substituted by a sphere of glass which renders
good results.
The crystal itself must be a perfect sphere without a speck
or flaw, and traditionally based in a stand of highly polished
ebony, ivory, or boxwood.
In the practice, Hindus use cups of treacle or ink. Stones
of pale sea green or reddish tints have been used. Ancient crystallomancers
had precise invocations of the spirits to aid them in elaborate
rituals. The man was pure in life and religious dispositions.
In preparation for the ritual, a few days before he made frequent
ablutions, subjecting himself to prayer and fasts.
The crystal and stand are inscribed with sacred characters
as the floor in the room where the invocation is performed be
inscribed with such characters. The room must be of thorough
cleanliness and solemn atmosphere. But, the mental attitude
is of the utmost importance in the divination, because true
faith in
it is essential for success.
If the magician is assisted by one or two friends who must
observe the same rules and be guided by the same principles.
The time of the invocation is set in accordance with the positions
of the heavenly planets, and all preparations are made during
the increasing of the moon. All instruments and accessories
to be used in the ceremony--the sword, rod, and compasses, the
fire and perfume to be burned, as well as the crystal--are consecrated
or "charged" prior to the ritual.
During the procedure the magician faces the east and summons
from the crystal the spirit he desires. Magic circles which
were previously inscribed on the floor are those which the magician
stands in, and it is best for him to remain within the circles
for sometime after the spirit has been released. No part of
the ceremony must be omitted or the invocation might incur failure.
Paracelsus and others declared the elaborate ceremonies
were unnecessary, since the magnes microscomi (the magnetic
principle in man) was clearly sufficient to achieve the desired
object. In a later period elaborate ceremonies were not completely
eliminated, but were made less imposing.
If the person for whom the ceremony is intended, is performing
the ceremony himself, has no clairvoyant faculty, then the best
choice for a substitute is a young boy or girl born out of wedlock
who is still perfectly pure and innocent. Prayers and magical
words are said prior to the ceremony along with the burning
of incense and perfume. The child's forehead may be anointed
and he may wear garments befitting the impressive nature of
the ritual.
Some early writers describe formula prayers, known as the "Call"
given prior to the inspection of the crystal. Finally after
the crystal was "charged" it was given to the medium
or clairvoyant person, The first indication of the clairvoyant
vision was a mist or cloud over the crystal which gradually
dissipated and then the appearance came into view.
Modern crystalomancy continues using a similar procedure but
the preparations are simpler. The crystal is spherical and about
the size of an orange. It may by held with the finger and thumb
of the magician, or, if one end is flattened it may be placed
on
a table, or alternatively held in the palm of the hand against
the background of a black cloth.
The procedure is done in subdued light. If the divination is
performed for someone else it is recommended that the person
holds the crystal in his hands a few minute before it is passed
to the medium.
The aim of crystal gazing, as previously said, is to induce
a hypnotic state producing visionary hallucinations, the reflection
of light in the crystal forming points de repere for such hallucinations.
Thus, the value of elaborate ceremonials and impressive rituals
lies in their potential to affect the mind and imagination of
the seer.
It is suggested that if telepathy operates with a greater force
in
a hypnotic state then it may also function in a similar fashion
with the self-imposed hypnosis of crystal gazing.
With the help of visionary powers many incidents of crime,
such as finding missing persons and discovering missing and
stolen property, have been solved. The telepathic theory does
not seem to answer the operation of this process when the appearance
of the incident appears prior to its actual occurrence. The
answer to this mystery must be left to future psychic research.
Though, there seems to be general agreement that the appearance
is preceded by a milky clouding of the crystal.
This clouding seems to be a picture itself. It is dependent
on
the operational conditions, and not a result of strain on the
scryer's eyes, for the individual glances away for awhile the
clouding still exits when his gaze returns to the crystal.
The first pictures act as a drop-scene, the nearest allegory
is
the cloud and of which, in materialization seances, phantasmal
figures emerge. The pictures to which the could gives way to
may be small or expand to the entire extent of the sphere in
amazing size.
Sometimes the sphere completely disappears from the scryer's
sight. The figures and/or scene assumes life-size proportions
rendering the scryer a sense of bilocation as if he is part
of the group or scene. This sense differs from clairvoyance.
It has been discovered that the images produced by scrying
are often symbolic and the elements of choice are discernible
which indicates the presentation is provided by an exterior
intelligence. Usually, however, the pictures are either disconnected,
vague images, or they are very clear.
Also, in the visionary images have been detected thought pictures
or forms, dreamlike visions, forgotten, reflected memories which
may give way to representation of past, present or future events.
From the above is should be apparent the interpretation of
images produced in scrying should be critically analyzed to
determine whether they give valid information upon which to
act, or contain some figments of the scryer's personal mental
process which render the interpretation invalid. This is why
it is recommended the scryer be in good physical and mental
health in order to maintain objectivity in his interpretations.
Caution should be the keyword when acting upon the interpretations.
Even the inquirer should question his own intentions, how eager
is he to believe the crystallomancer?
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