Scrying Mirror

Ways in which the black mirror can be used
To contact spirit guides ~ For divining the past, present and future  ~ As a portal to the astral plane
For healing and self improvement ~ As a magickal transmitter and receiver ~ To access knowledge
For shamanic journeying ~ For ritual invocation and evocation ~ To improve visualization skills

Catoxtromancy is a form of divination by means of looking glasses. In ancient Rome, special diviners known as "blindfolded boys" were known to gaze into mirrors in order to experience visions of the future or of the unknown, and according to the 4th century 'Scriptores Historiae Augustae' the death of Julian the Apostate was accurately predicted by diviners using this method.
          The word 'scry' comes from the word 'descry,' meaning to see or perceive. Mirror gazing, or scrying, is one of the oldest known forms of divination, dating back to antiquity. The famed prognosticator Nostradamus used a form of scrying to make his famous predictions, employing a dish filled with ink as his method. Yezidi mystics use a concave, polished bowl. Mormon prophet Joseph Smith contacted angels using a 'seer stone.' The infamous magician John Dee and his partner Edward Kelley used an obsidian crystal in their experiments, and we get the popular conception of a 'crystal ball' from the popularization of their methods.
Scrying: The ancient art of clairvoyance achieved by concentrating on an object - usually one with a reflective or semi-reflective surface (mirror, crystal ball, water, etc.) - until visions appear. Magicians and witches of all ages have practiced scrying. The term scrying comes from the English word descry, which means 'to make out dimly' or 'to reveal.' The services of the scryer typically are sought for predictions of the future, answers to questions and tracking down criminals, just to name a few.
          Mirror scrying is an evolved form of water scrying. When it became possible to build mirrors they were regarded as being like water that was fixed into one place. The early mirrors were made of polished copper, brass, marcasite, tin foil, or mercury behind glass, polished silver, and obsidian. All types of mirrors may be used for scrying and the size is not important. Most seers prefer to use a black mirror. The use of black mirrors may be traced back over the centuries. John Dee used a black mirror of obsidian. When using the black mirror for scrying you do not want to see your reflection. The best is to leave the mirror on a table and look at it from an angle. Look into the depths of the mirror as though you were looking into a bowl of water. At first it may appear grey than colors will come and go. With time and practice you will be able to see scried images like still photographs or moving film images. Spirits may sometimes look at the scryer, talk to the scryer, or even touch the scryer. The visions may even exist outside the mirror and surround the scryer on all sides.
          You might read that unless a crystal sphere is true quartz crystal, it will not work. You might hear that a perfect sphere without any visible flaws is necessary. You may hear that your scrying mirror or crystal must never be touched by sunlight. These are simply not true. There are legitimate reasons for each of these 'rules' but it doesn't mean that you have to follow them in order to scry effectively.
            Scrying works on the principles of what is named by some as the Ganzfeld effect or state. If you have ever had to sit in the corner as a child, staring at a blank wall until you began to hallucinate and have stories, patterns, or images appear to you, you know what the Ganzfeld effect is. If you've ever stayed awake in bed staring at the ceiling until these same things happened, then you also know what a Ganzfeld state is.

     Learning to scry
          Scrying is not a hobby for the impatient. It takes a lot of practice, so don't get discouraged if you don't get immediate results. The first task is to create your space. You'll want a block of time without interruption, a room that can be darkened, and a place you can sit comfortably for long periods. You'll want to position your mirror at a comfortable angle; place it so that it does not reflect objects in the room. A flickering candle creates a strobing effect which you might find useful or distracting, so experiment a little to discover your preferences.
A key element in quickly attaining the correct state for scrying is flashing light. Place flickering candles around the room you are working in. Keep them out of your direct line of vision, but at the same time, be certain that the reflection of the flame can be seen in the scrying surface. To get these 'flickering' candles, you can open a window a crack to let a draft help you out.

          Try this for example, you will need:
1) A black mirror, a cauldron filled with water (or an herbal infusion such as Mugwort), or a crystal, or a shallow dish of water (made black by the addition of ink), a ring with a nice stone (like moonstone) a black stone like obsidian, a black tile, or whatever reflective medium you wish to use.
2) Five candles

          Place the scrying medium on your altar so that you can look at it from approximately a 45 degree angle while in a very comfortable position. Arrange the candles throughout the room so that they are elevated above the scrying medium but remain outside of your direct line of sight. You may wish to cast a circle at this time or recite a blessing or charge over the medium and over the entire scrying session.
          Relaxation is essential- the more relaxed you are, the more likely you are to have success. Take a warm bath or a hot tub before beginning, or use a progressive relaxation technique, breathing, or whatever method you're most comfortable with, to achieve a state of relaxed awareness. This takes practice as well, so you might want to work on this for a few days before you go any further.
When you feel that you are relaxed, keep looking at the medium. Your first sessions may last 10 to 30 minutes, but work up to hour long sessions. Do not be critical of yourself or your results. If you fall asleep that's ok, if you daydream that's ok too. Just let whatever happens, happen. In this way you will quickly refine your skills. Relax your gaze as if you were attempting a 3D magic eye hidden picture. If you have trouble with those darned 3D things, don't worry, scrying is similar only in that you relax your eyes and don't really look AT the surface.
          Eventually, you may begin to see what appear to be sparks of light, or a 'foggy' effect. Don't concentrate on these phenomena- just remain relaxed, and allow them to develop. At some point, the images will become stronger- you may see pictures, shadows, or lights and colors. Continue for as long as you are comfortable- when you begin to feel restless, it's probably a good time to stop.
It isn't how you get to the mind state of scrying that's important, it's the mysteries that are unveiled to you once you are there that are important. Interpreting what you see when you scry is very much like dream interpretation. There are many books that will define each image you glimpse, but essentially it boils down to what those images mean to you.
     Follow Up:
          After you have completed your session, jot down a few rough notes. Do what you need to do to ground yourself or clean up the area. Sometime during your day, go back to your notes and fill in more details as you remember them. I use two columns, one for the description of images seen, and one for my translations.
Go over each image that you saw. You might consult a symbol interpretation list for dreams, you know, the kind that say a bird is an omen, a knife is a......well, you get it. You could also analyze each image by checking what it means to you. For example, a red rose may mean passion in the books, but if your best friend requested them in the hospital, your personal associations are going to be different. The conclusions you draw from your scrying sessions must eventually be your own and as you continue to practice, you will understand yourself and your visions more and more.

! Insightful scrying to all !