Crystalomancy
Alternatively Crystallomancy, and Crystal Gazing.
The art and practice of divining the past, the present and the future by looking into the surface of transparent bodies, such as a crystal globe, polished quartz, precious stones (especially a beryl), or indeed any transparent or reflective object.
It was held in days of old that, those who had the gift, by gazing fixedly and deeply into a polished crystal ball, could see what would happen in the future or what was actually happening elsewhere. To gaze into the crystal ball is to see into the future, to seek inspiration to answer questions.
Crystalomancy is quite ancient, but it is still widely practiced today. An oval crystal is the most used among modern crystal gazers, but a traditional spherical one will perform just as well.
As with other methods of scrying, the diviner should enter into a meditative state prior to consulting the crystal. A dark environment is essential, with moonlight (preferably the light of a full moon) as the source. Candlelight or other light source is also acceptable on moonless nights.
In some cases, instead of a crystal, a pool of water was used, although this method is also known as Hydromancy. The Greeks of classic days preferred to gaze at a clear mirror, but even human fingernails, the polished surface of a sword's blade, a drop of blood, and a pool of ink held in the palm of the hand have been used one time or another as a medium for this type of divination.
It is believed that the use of crystals to predict events of the future began before 1000 BC. Saint Augustine informs us that the ancient Persians were the first crystal gazers. It is by far one of the oldest forms of divination that have survived into the present day.
Many modern witches and new agers also enjoy utilizing the alleged power of crystals for meditation, healing, dowsing and developing psychic talents.
See Diviner, Divination, Radiesthesia, Astrology, Acutomancy, Agalmatomancy, Divination, Coscinomancy, Cleidomancy, Augur, Stoichomancy, Dowsing, Tarot, Heptameron, Demonology, Sortilege, Idolomancy, Demonomancy, Tephramancy, Anemoscopy, Eromancy, Austromancy, Chaomancy, Roadomancy, Capnomancy, Pyromancy, Meteormancy, Ceraunoscopy, Zoomancy, Felidomancy, Horoscope, Horary Astrology, Zodiac, Numerology, Bibliomancy, The Chakra Store, Mystic Gifts and Charms - New Age Gift Shop & Wicca and Pagan Supplies, Love Spells -- Use these powerful love spells to help you find and keep your true love, The Tarot Store, Divination & Scrying Tools and Supplies, Unique Amulets, Talismans, Good Luck Charms, and Love Tokens, Powerful Witch Doctor Spell Kits, Powerful Spells - Cast by Andreika the Witch, Webmasters Make $$$, AzureGreen - Celebrating All Paths to the Divine, ISIS - Tools for Your Soul's Journey, and The Pyramid Collection - Myth, Magick, Fantasy and Romance.
Sources: (1) Walker, Charles, The Encyclopedia of the Occult, Random House Value; (2) Spence, Lewis, An Encyclopedia of Occultism, Carol Publishing Group; (3) Dictionary of the Occult, Caxton Publishing; (4) Pickover, Clifford A., Dreaming the Future: The Fantastic Story of Prediction, Prometheus Books; (5) Dunwich, Gerina, A Wiccan's Guide to Prophecy and Divination, Carol Publishing Group.
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