Bright spots will form around objects touching the crystal ball. When rated at around two, or just a bit higher, the focus of the object is closest to the surface of the orb, providing a desirable visual effect for objects touching it. The refractive index is a value that measures how light passes through an object. However, the best crystal balls, no matter the material, require the proper refractive index. Though, in theory, any transparent ball of appropriate quality will do. In the modern era, rock crystal has replaced beryl spheres as the preferred vessel for crystal gazing. While in a hypnotic state, the seer would then interpret the images displayed within the device for their audience. From there, the mist would peel back, revealing the image within for viewing.

Victorians would expect to witness a mist fill the ball, indicating that it was suitably prepared. Once complete, the medium would then take possession of the object for consultation. Visitors would gather around or pass the crystal ball around while reciting the words provided by their medium. This would be a chant, prayer or invocation. Often, a session would start with a Call to charge the ball with psychic energy. Lovers of ritual, Victorians often used elaborate acts when consulting crystal balls or other fortune-telling objects. With interest in the occult rising during the Victorian Era, crystal balls once again grew in popularity. Chalcedonian Christians persecuted these soothsayers as heretics. This eventually led to the early Christian church to denounce the practice. By the 5th century, the practice was widespread throughout the empire. Soothsayers in early Rome also employed crystal balls. The British Museum houses several examples of early globes, designed to be worn or strung on a cord, for use as a pendulum or pendant. This may explain why these orbs were favored by early crystal gazers. As those familiar with metaphysical healing properties might know, beryl is a gem associated with focus and concentration. Written accounts of this practice can be traced back as far as 20 BC. The Romans wrote about how the Druids of the Celts would use balls of polished beryl to divine the future. Perhaps the earliest known crystal ball use took place in the British Isles. The trance, along with the focus object, heightens the perception of the user during this process.Ĭrystal Balls Traditions The Ancient World It is during this trance that a medium begins to perceive images associated with their scry. It allows the scryer to banish unwanted thoughts and focus on the matter at hand. Once the trance is entered, the object becomes a locus of concentration. Others might use aids, such as drugs, to help them attain the correct mindset. Often, the person performing the scrying enters into a trance. Mediums, mentalists, and seers have long constructed their visions from many sources, including, smoke, fire, flights of birds and other natural portents!

Even polished and oiled fingernails (still on the finger!) have been used. Besides crystal balls, examples of these objects include still water, mirrors, and other crystals or gems of various shapes. In practice, many different objects have been utilized. Most famously, crystal balls have been used for this purpose.

The act of witnessing images in clear objects, such as crystals or still pools of water, is known as scrying. A crystal-clear vision of the future is a modern construct surrounding the discipline. In historical accounts, this method of divination was used to not only gain an understanding of the future but also to review events of the past or seek guidance on the present. Too commonly it is associated with revealing future events. In the past, the practice of augury, of which scrying and crystal gazing is a part, had a far-ranging set of applications. And the image of a hoary crone with a crystal ball is etched well into the public consciousness. In modern times, we associate scrying with fortunetelling. Allow us to gaze into the crystal, and reveal what there is to know as we explore the fantastic history of scrying and crystal gazing, otherwise known as crystallomancy. Humanity has always possessed a desire to know, and our natural curiosity has led us to pursue fortune telling of various forms. For centuries, the prospect of gazing into the future has captivated anyone with a romantic heart.

A seance using a cyrstal ball