Copyright © 1974 by Raymond Buckland
The crystal should be without flaw- no scratches on the surface, nor bubbles within. (The new acrylic plexiglass "crystals" work quite well, but scratch extremely easily. Care is therefore needed in handling them).
Rest the ball on a background of black. A black velvet cloth is ideal. This can, in turn, rest on a table in front of you or can cover your hand(s) as you hold the crystal. This black background is to ensure that you see nothing around the ball to distract you , as you gaze into it.
Initially you should work alone, in a room that is quiet and dark. Have just one small light-perhaps a candle. Place the ligh t so that you do not see it reflected directly in the crystal. Burn a pleasant-smelling incense, as it will help you concentrate. Then sit and gaze into the crystal trying to keep your mind blank. This is not easy and will take some practice.
Do not stare at the ball, unblinking. This will only cause eyestrain ! Gaze- blinking the eyes naturally, as necessary. Do not try to imagine anything in the ball. Just try to keep the mind blank. After a while it will seem that the ball is filling with white mist, or smoke. It will gradually grow more and more dense until the ball seems full of it. Then, again gradually, the smoke will thin and fade, leaving behind a picture-almost like a miniature television set! It might be in black-and-white but is more likely to be in color. It might be still or it might be moving. It might be from the past, the present, or the future. Also it might well be a symbolic picture, requiring some interpretation.
Initially you have no great control over what you see. You must just take what comes. As you become more adept you may meditate for a few moments, before gazing, on what you wish to see. Then, when you start to gaze, clear your mind and try to keep it blank.
Most people seem capable of success at scrying. If you get nothing the first time you try, then try the next night, and the next. Do not try for more than ten minutes or so at each attempt, however.
