THE ART OF SCRYING
                          By the Perfesser



Scrying (L.< scruatari = to look at) is a form of divination which uses 
crystals, crystal balls, water, fire or other shiny objects of fascination as 
the focus.

Essentially, the person doing the scrying focuses attention on the tool being 
used and freeing the mind, allows thoughts, ideas, pictures as a television 
screen. The size of the picture depended upon the size of the object and like 
the TV, it had to be tuned in to get the best picture.

Learning to scry can be frightening to the uninitiated. It takes a certain 
amount of control as well as submission, to get results. What is meant is that 
when focusing on the tool, you must have your mind free of extraneous things, 
things that pull your attention away. You must also allow yourself to be open to 
impressions, and not be distracted with the clouds or vapors that form in 
the periphery of your vision. Trying to control the situation can interfere with 
the results, the control should be done before the scrying begins.
 
There are various tools that can be used. They are as follows:
 
1- The crystal ball. This is the most popular tool for scrying. The ball can be 
glass, crystal or plastic. The most common are balls formed from optical quality 
glass that are ground round and polished to be absolutely clear. The most 
expensive are those that are ground and polished quartz, amber or other clear 
material. The third and the least expensive are cast out of acrylic plastic. The 
plastic one scratches more easily and takes more care, but works non-the-less.

2- The scrying stone. This is a polished crystal that is usually worn around the 
neck. It is not necessary that the shape be a sphere. Since the shape is less 
important, a lot of individuality can be shown. The size, shape, color and 
personal preference produce a large variety of possibilities.
 
3- The Magic Mirror. This is a sheep of glass that is painted black on the back 
side. The most common magic mirror is a large clock face that is painted black 
on the convex side. Scrying is done by using the concave side.
 
4- The scrying cup. This is an ordinary tea cup that has the inside painted 
black. For scrying, water is poured into the cup and the person doing the 
scrying looks into the water.
 
5- Sometimes an ordinary bowl is used. Water is poured into the bowl and black 
ink is added to make a black opaque surface.

6- Fire. Some people are drawn into fire, such as a campfire. The red glow of 
the coals seem to move and dance and play out a fiery scene. The flame of a 
single candle works really well and can be used for exercise in scrying. More on 
this later.
 
PRELIMINARY

When you first make or purchase your tool, a ritual purification should be done:
 
	(This is for most scrying tools, except the candle.)

	Make a tea by simmering some Mugwort in water. Strain and cool.
	
	Set up an altar and draw a circle of protection.

	Carefully wash the scrying instrument in the mugwort water, saying:
            "I wash you clean of all influences of your former life. Be now an 
instrument of the sight. Help me to see what is needed that I may aid myself as 
well as others. So mote it be."

	Dry the tool. Pass it through the candle flame and the incense, saying:
            "Charge this tool with energy and inspiration, that it may be a 
            source of knowledge."

	Place the tool on the center of a black cloth which will be used for a 
covering. Place your hands over the tool and say:
           "Bless and consecrate this tool for the purposes of higher Magick. 
           May it always be used for good and never for evil. May it serve me 
           well, as long as my heart is pure and my aims are righteous. In the 
           names of ___God_____ and ____Goddess____ I do consecrate you."

	Wrap the tool in the black cloth. Keep it covered until it is to be used.
 
	Relax. When the time is right, take up the circle.

The tool is now a ritual tool and should be treated as such. Take care of it and 
do not let it open to the profane. Usually the tool is wrapped in the cloth or 
covered to keep the light and other influences out.
 
The proceeding ritual may be reinforced when you feel it is necessary. It may 
also be used when there has been a disturbing reading to clean up any residue 
that may remain.

FOR CANDLES

Since candles are used up or are temporary tools rather then tools that are used 
for years, a different approach is used. Immediately prior to doing the scrying, 
have scented oil handy and after the circle is cast, "dress" the candle by 
placing some oil on your fingers and anoint the candle starting in the center, 
stroke the candle upward to the top. Put some more oil on your fingers and 
starting again at the center, stroke downward. While you are doing this, say:
	"Bless and Consecrate this candle for the purposed of higher magic. May it 
      be used for good and aid me in the quest for knowledge desired. In the 
      names of God and Goddess. So mote it be."

PRACTICE

Like all forms of divination, constant usage will bring better results. It may 
be slow going, so the following practice may help.
 
You will need a candle, preferably white, in a candle holder, a table, chair and 
most of all, a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for a while.

Prepare the candle as above. Make sure that you are not disturbed by closing or 
licking the door, drawing the blinds, or whatever is necessary for your peace of 
mind. If quiet music is appropriate, put on a tape of CD, making sure that it 
will not finish before you do. You may want incense although if you dress the 
candle with a fragrant oil, the smoke from incense will not distract you.

Light the candle then extinguish all lights. Draw a circle or image of a circle 
of protection around you and the table. Sit in the chair facing the candle. Make 
sure that you are in a comfortable position. Center and ground. When you feel 
ready, look at the candle flame. Observe the various colorings and shading in 
the flame. Notice the shape of the flame, how the bottom is wide and round and 
tapers up. See the round indentation near the wick, and the wavering tip where 
the got gasses move up and out.

Now look at the center of the flame while allowing your vision to broaden to see 
the halo, the aura, the corona around the flame. You may at this time see and 
feel the clouding from the sides of your vision moving in and blocking out 
everything else you could see in the room. There will be just blackness with the 
candle in the center. There is no reason for fear. Be assured that in 
surrendering your self at this time, will not make you vulnerable. You have the 
power to stop the exercise at any time. When you feel absolutely comfortable, 
continue.

Watch the aura of the candle glow. Use your mind to move the aura from smaller 
to larger. Increase the size of the aura as you make the candle flame get 
taller. Change the brightness of the flame from bright to dim and back again. 
Notice the color of the flame and change it. Make it into a rose color and 
gradually turn it into a blue flame and finally into gold.

After you have played with the flame for a while, sit back, relax, close your 
eyes if you need to. When you are ready, get up, take up the circle, mentally or 
physically. Turn on the lights and walk around. You may find that you are hungry 
or thirsty now. Satisfy this urge. Psychic work take up quite a bit of energy.

This exercise may not be completely successful the first time you do it, but it 
can be done on a regular basis to increase your abilities.

THE READING

As with the exercise above, pick a place and a time in which you will not be 
disturbed for a while. Remove anything that is distracting or disturbing. You 
may want to cover the table with a cloth that is pleasing but not distracting. 
Use common sense about music, lighting and incense. Set the tool on the table. 
Cast a circle of protection around you and the table. If the scrying is for 
another person, they may or may not be there when the circle is cast. The circle 
can be conjured as a circle of protection and with the stipulation that certain 
people will be allowed in without breaking it, or the conjuration may be done 
mentally. If this is the case, the circle can be done while centering and 
grounding.

When all is ready, unwrap or uncover the scrying instrument and place your hands 
over it and say:
"May the Gods be present here to aid me in this reading. So mote it be."
This may be said aloud or silently within.

Look at the tool as you did in the candle exercise. Allow yourself to drift into 
it. Allow the darkness to surround you, to blot out the "material world". Allow 
yourself to see only inside the tool, deeper and deeper inside. Keep in mind the 
person wanting the reading whether it is yourself or someone else. When you have 
gone deep inside, allow a point to move toward you and to grow. Or maybe you see 
a cloudy area that begins to thin out. Allow it to turn into a picture, a scene, 
a feeling, a smell, or whatever presents itself. Allow it to flow. You may 
describe aloud what you are seeing or feeling, but you must be careful to 
realize that you are seeing impressions and symbols that may have many meanings. 
This is where the control within the surrender takes place. You must 
differentiate between imagination, personal remembrances, unknown visions of the 
past, visions of the known present, visions of the unknown present, and visions 
of the future events.

Watch the scene unfold and describe what you see. If there is another person 
present, have them take notes or use a tape recorder.

When the scene has exhausted itself or when you become too tired to continue, 
sit back and take a deep breath. Allow the present to return. When you are 
comfortable, open your eyes. Place your hands again on the scrying tool and 
either silently or aloud, thank the Gods for their help, and speed them well on 
their way. Cover or wrap the tool.

Take up the circle, either physically or mentally. Mare sure to have some 
refreshment available.