Scrying: How to Perceive Visions in Crystals, Water, and More

In late July, I was scrying with my obsidian mirror. I usually suck at scrying; I used to practice for months and rarely discern anything of value. But this time, I had visions.

I saw the side profile of a woman with a Victoria-era updo. I knew that she was a deceased soul reaching out, so I asked where her grave was. She showed me the silhouette of a gravestone with a curved, crescent moon top. Tall trees were in the background.

Since I had just moved to a new state, I had no idea where this grave was. I looked up some cemeteries on Google maps, and I spotted a forested cemetery with a review that said it was “supposed to be haunted.” That seemed like a solid choice.

When I drove to the cemetery, I couldn’t see it from the road. It was concealed by an abandoned chapel; I would not have noticed it had I not researched the cemetery. Shaded by trees, covered in moss, the cemetery was palpable. It was the first time I felt spooked by a graveyard.

Then, I found it. The gravestone belonged to Sarah Odell, and the cemetery was called Odell. This was her cemetery; she wanted me to know where it was.

Scrying can have some fantastic results. There are many methods of scrying and a vast array of visions to experience, which I am going to cover here.

What Is Scrying?

Scrying, sometimes called “seeing,” is a form of divination in which someone peers into a vessel and interprets visions that they see. Scrying does not require one to be a medium or clairvoyant. Like other magical practices, it simply requires the right method.

Although scrying is often associated with future predictions, it can reveal many other things. Insights into yourself, messages from spirits or deities, and sights into other realms are all on the table.

There are many ways to scry. Here, I’ll list a few of the most popular methods.

Obsidian mirror

Water scrying with cemetery water

Types of Scrying:

• Mirrors, or “catoptromancy.” As the name suggests, magicians use mirrors to scry. Some people prefer black mirrors (which you can make yourself with some spray paint). Others consecrate a regular mirror and use that.
  
• Crystals, or “crystallomancy.” This method of scrying requires crystals, not rocks. Some are mirrors, like the highly-desirable obsidian mirror. Others are crystal balls. I should note that these crystals do not have to be reflective; for instance, the Mayans would use jade balls near their gravesites.
  
• Water, or “hydromancy.” This is scrying into water, usually water that is in a bowl. This method was common in necromancy, especially in ancient Rome. Sometimes, the water was taken from a special place, such as a spring or cemetery. Some diviners added oils (like olive oil) to the water, but many left it as is. I recommend using a clear or light-colored bowl so that you can see the water more clearly.
  
• Fire, or “pyromancy.” By peering into a candle flame, fireplace, or bonfire, you might see shapes and visions. Pyromancy involves several aspects that other forms of scrying don’t, including the shadows, smoke, and ash.
  
• Seer stones, or “lithomancy.” In this method, the magician peers into stones from a river, well, forest, or other natural locations. Many people dampen the stones first, and place them in a bowl or container and look at the reflections of the stones.
  

Preparation: The Most Important Step

I know people usually skip over the “prepare” step (and I do too), but if you do not take time to do this, scrying will not go well.

Scrying doesn’t happen every time someone looks into a vessel. If that were true, everyone would have visions whenever they roasted marshmallows. The power does not lie in the vessel; it is in the magician and how they prime themselves. 

Most people scry in a self-induced trance state. Author and blogger Katrina Rasbold phrased it as, “Make your mind as blank as possible.” Scrying works best when the mind is not plagued by impatience, anxiety, or expectations.

I like to smoke an herbal blend before scrying (my favorite is mugwort, damiana, and lemongrass). But you don’t have to use hallucinogens. Meditation clears the mind and can enhance spirit work. Others use music, chants, prayers, visualizations, yoga, and even dance.

You might need to experiment with a few of these methods to learn what works best. If you also practice spirit work, the preparation is similar, in my experience.

Tips for Successful Scrying

Scrying sounds simple: You just stare into a vessel and let visions come to you. But if you’ve ever tried it, you know that it’s not so easy. The mind can get distracted by the reflection, impatiences, or doubting whether your visions are real.

The best scrying advice I ever received was from the old tumblr user ofwoodandbones (oh how I miss them). To paraphrase: “You are not looking at the vessel; you are trying to look through it.” The reflections, lights, and shadows are just the surface. Your visions lie beyond it.

Here are some tips for scrying that I’ve gathered over years of experience:

1. Do not try too hard to focus. Have you ever relaxed your vision while reading so that the words blurred together? Do that. Scrying requires some loss of control. You aren’t searching for the visions but allowing them to come to you.
   
2. If you are peering into a reflective surface, like water or a mirror, dim the lights. Candlelight should suffice. You will get less distracted by reflections in the dark.
   
3. If you get distracted by your own movement, re-angle your vessel. I sometimes move my obsidian mirror so that the reflection only shows the ceiling.
   
4. Do not judge your visions. It’s easy to get sidetracked by the question, “Was that something spiritual, or just a shadow?” Leave your questions at the door. Let the visions come and go, and write them down afterward. Then, you can decide which visions matter.
   
5. Ask for help if needed. I often meditate with the bones of my spirit guides before scrying. Spirits and deities can aid practitioners in divination.
   
6. If you feel frustrated or restless, scry in spurts. Set a timer for a few minutes. Scry, and when the timer goes off, write down what happened and take a break. Then try again.
   
7. Practice makes perfect. Every form of divination requires practice, and I scried for years before receiving the visions I mentioned above. If something doesn’t work, change it up, or ask another practitioner for advice. Be patient; you’ll get there.
   

What Will You See?

As with every form of divination, you should not expect to see something while scrying. Your visions could be anything from spirits reaching out to future predictions to answers for your questions.

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn describes three levels of scrying, and I believe that these spell out what kind of information you might receive. 

The first is “Scrying with the Spirit Vision.” These visions explain something about your inner self. For example, it might be a symbol of a situation you’re struggling with or a message that a deity has for you.

The second is “Traveling in the Spirit Vision.” During this stage, scrying transports you to a different area, whether physical or spiritual. You might see the dead in the afterlife, or you could see a nearby location that you must visit.

The third is “Rising in the Planes.” This is an insight into your spiritual process. Scrying might reveal symbols, spirits, deities, or actions that you should look into to excel in your Craft.

That said, no book or organization can interpret your visions for you. Only you can discern what your divination means and how you can use it.

In Summary

Scrying requires a “clear mind” and plenty of mental and spiritual preparation. Instead of focusing on the reflection, practitioners must relax their eyes and allow visions to come to them. The more you practice, the better you’ll get.

Have you ever scried before? Has any method worked or not worked for you? Let me know in the comments below.