It’s in the crystal

The image of the crystal gazer has probably done more to harm divination’s
reputation than any other, which is sad because crystal gazing has a long
and honorable tradition as part of scrying, using crystals, mirrors, flames
and water to peer into the future.
Crystal gazing has its roots in prehistory, when the tribe member who was
credited with the gift of seeing, peered into a reflective surface to
discern what lay round the corner. It was not necessarily a crystal: a
stretch of calm, still water served the purpose just as well.
Nostradamus, the famous seer whose prophesies continue to unfold many
centuries after his death, would sit alone at night, gazing into a bowl of
water held in a brass tripod and lit by a candle. In the mirror-like
surface he saw his visions that are still relevant in our lifetime.
Traditionally, the ball used for crystal gazing needs to be chosen carefully
and have no obvious flaws. To prepare the ball, wash it in a mild solution
of vinegar and water, and then polish it with a soft cloth. When it is not
being used, the ball should be wrapped in a cloth to keep it out of direct
sunlight, which affects sensitivity: and it should not be handled by anyone
other than the user.

How they work

When gazing into a crystal, intuition should be focused. Light reflect off
the crystal, catching the eye and holding it firm. It’s not long before the
eyes go slightly out of focus, the bill mists over and with the mist images
form. These images are projections from the gazer’s mind or inner crystal.
The room should be quiet and gently lit. Some people use candlelight to
achieve this. The ball is now placed on a black silk or velvet cloth. Now
focus on the crystal, until the eyes go out of focus, the mist appears and
images appear within it. These images must not be forced; they should arise
naturally. The images may appear in the ball or in the mind’s eye. Even
meaningless ones might have significance, so write everything down as it
arises.
The presence of another person distracts concentration, at least at first.
With experience comes the ability to answer the questions of others, as long
as they are asked in a low, hushed voice.
Gazers often find that small glittering points of light appear in the mist,
before the mist clears, and what has been described as an ocean of blue
space appears, within which visions appear. These visions are sometimes
symbolic, or they may be scenic. Visions that appear in the background lie
further ahead than those that are to the front, which denote the present of
the immediate future.
When images come, no effort should be made to keep them there: they should
be allowed to come and go, ebbing and flowing like the tide, with no attempt
being made to control them.