Crystalomancy or crystal gazing is type of scrying practiced since ancient times. With the help of a crystal ball, a pool of water, or any transparent or reflective object, someone with clairvoyant abilities will induce a state of hypnosis in themselves. Hindus use cups of treacle or ink.
Ancient Crystallomancy
The crystal is most often spherical or oval, about four inches in diameter and preferably a genuine rock-crystal, though a sphere of glass is an acceptable substitute. The sphere may be white, blue, violet, yellow, green, opalescent, or transparent, and the crystal itself must be perfect, without a speck or flaw. Traditionally it sits in a stand of highly polished ebony, ivory, or boxwood. The crystal and stand were inscribed with sacred characters, as was the floor in the room where the invocation was performed. It was important for the room to be thoroughly clean and solemn.After the crystal had been "charged," it was given to the medium or clairvoyant person. Some ancient crystallomancers would invoke spirits to aid them in their elaborate rituals. The scryer should be pure in life and of a religious dispositions. A few days before the ritual, the seer made frequent ablutions, subjecting himself to prayer and fasts.
The time of the invocation was set in accordance with the positions of the planets, and all preparations were made during the increasing of the moon. During the procedure, the magician faced the east and summoned from the crystal the spirit he desired. He stood in the magic circles which were previously inscribed on the floor, and it was best for him to remain within the circles for sometime after the spirit had been released.
Modern Crystalomancy
In modern crystalomancy, the procedure is similar but the preparations are simpler. The crystal may be about the size of an orange, and it may by held with the finger and thumb of the magician. If one end is flattened, it may be placed on a table or held in the palm of the hand against the background of a black cloth in subdued light. If the divination is being performed for someone else, it is recommended that the person hold the crystal in his or her hands a few minute before it is passed to the medium.
There seems to be general agreement that the appearance of visions is preceded by a milky clouding of the crystal. The first pictures act as a drop-scene from which ghostly figures emerge. The pictures 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, and the figures and/or scenes assume life-size proportions. Images produced by scrying are often symbolic however, and the pictures may be either disconnected and vague or very clear.