Scrying is the practice of gazing softly into a reflective or shifting surface, such as a crystal ball, a dark mirror, a bowl of water or a candle flame, and noticing the images, feelings and ideas that arise. It is a quiet, meditative form of divination, and all it really asks of a beginner is patience.
What is scrying?
The word is a shortened form of "descry", an old word meaning to make out something dimly or in the distance. In scrying, you let your eyes relax and your mind settle while you look into a surface that has no fixed picture of its own. Shapes, colours, memories or words may drift up. Many modern practitioners understand this as a way of listening to the intuition and imagination, much as you might with tarot or a pendulum.
Some people see clear images. Many more notice a mood, a symbol, a sudden thought or simply a sense of calm. All of these are part of scrying, and none is better than another.
A little history
Gazing into water, polished stone and mirrors is a very old practice, found in different forms across many cultures and centuries. In Britain, one of the best-known examples is a polished obsidian mirror associated with John Dee, the scholar and adviser at the court of Elizabeth I. The mirror, thought to have been made in Mexico, is now in the British Museum, where it can still be seen.
In European folklore, a crystal ball became the classic image of a fortune teller, and still water in a dark bowl has long been a simple, homely way to scry. Scrying sits comfortably alongside other quiet arts of the hedge, which our guide to what is hedge magic explores.
Choosing your scrying tool
Crystal balls
A clear crystal ball is the traditional choice. Its surface catches light and reflection, and its inner clouds and veils give the eye somewhere to rest. Size matters more than many people expect: a small ball is lovely on an altar, but for gazing, something you can see clearly from a comfortable distance is easier. The 80mm crystal ball on stand is a gentle starting point, while the 110mm crystal ball gives a fuller, deeper view. You will find the full range in our crystal balls and scrying collection. Some people prefer to gaze into a polished gemstone sphere instead; our spheres and eggs include clear quartz, amethyst and more.
Black mirrors and obsidian
A black mirror has a dark, glossy surface that shows only soft reflections, which many people find easier to gaze into than clear glass. Obsidian, a natural volcanic glass, is the traditional stone for this, and it is often associated with looking inward. If you would like to begin small, hold a polished black obsidian tumble stone while you settle, or gaze into its surface by candlelight. You can also make a simple black mirror by painting the back of the glass in an old picture frame with black paint and letting it dry fully.
Water
Water scrying needs nothing more than a bowl. Choose a dark or deep-coloured bowl, fill it with still water and let it settle completely. The darker the bowl, the more it behaves like a mirror. Many people like to scry this way at the full moon, letting the moonlight fall across the surface; our moon calendar shows the dates. A plain offering bowl kept for the purpose works beautifully.
Candle flame
Gazing at a candle flame is often the easiest way in, because the flame moves gently and holds the attention. Watch its shape, the way it leans and flickers, and the glow around it. A plain white candle is a common choice, though our guide to candle colour meanings explains the traditional associations if you would like to choose a colour for your intention.
Your first scrying session, step by step
- Choose a quiet time. Evening works well. Turn off bright overhead lights and silence your phone.
- Set up your space. Place your crystal ball, mirror or bowl on a clean cloth at a comfortable height, roughly an arm's length away. Put a candle in a steady candle holder to one side or slightly behind, so its light does not reflect directly back at you.
- Settle yourself. Sit comfortably, take several slow breaths and let your shoulders drop. Some people like to burn a little incense first; see our beginner's guide to incense.
- Hold a gentle question. Keep it open, such as "What do I need to see right now?" rather than a yes or no question.
- Soften your gaze. Look into, rather than at, the surface. Let your eyes relax as if you were looking through it. Blink whenever you need to.
- Notice without chasing. If a shape, colour or thought appears, simply notice it. Do not try to hold on to it or force it into meaning.
- Stop after ten or fifteen minutes. That is plenty for a first session. Gently bring your attention back to the room.
- Write it down. Note everything, however small: images, colours, feelings, memories. A Book of Shadows or simple journal keeps your sessions together.
Reading what you see
Interpret your notes the way you would a dream. Ask what each image means to you personally, rather than looking for a fixed dictionary of symbols. A bird might suggest freedom to one person and news to another. Over several sessions, recurring images often become a personal language. Many readers find it helpful to compare notes with a tarot or rune reading on the same question; our guides to simple tarot spreads and how to read runes offer good places to start.
If nothing seems to come, that is completely normal. The calm of simply sitting and gazing has value of its own, and the practice usually deepens with time.
Making scrying part of your practice
Like most quiet arts, scrying grows with gentle repetition rather than long, effortful sessions. A few habits help:
- Keep a rhythm. Scrying once a week, or at each new and full moon, gives you enough sessions to notice patterns without it becoming a chore.
- Use the same place. Returning to the same chair, cloth and light tells your mind it is time to settle.
- Keep your tool for scrying only. Many people like to wipe their crystal ball or mirror with a soft cloth before and after each session, and to cover it between uses.
- Mark the start and finish. Lighting and putting out a candle, or ringing a small bell, makes a simple, calm opening and closing.
- Be honest in your notes. Record what you actually noticed, not what you hoped to see. The honesty is what makes your notes useful later.
Above all, keep it light. Scrying is not a test. Some evenings you will notice a great deal and others very little, and both are part of learning to sit still and listen.
Candle and crystal ball safety
- Always place candles in a stable, heatproof holder on a heatproof surface, away from curtains, cloths, papers and anything that could catch.
- Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
- Do not lean over the flame while gazing; sit back at a comfortable distance.
- Keep crystal balls out of direct sunlight. Like a magnifying glass, a clear sphere can focus sunlight strongly enough to scorch or start a fire, so a windowsill is not a safe home for one.
- Rest your eyes and stop if you feel tired or uncomfortable.
Bring it home
Scrying needs very little: a surface to gaze into, a quiet room and a willingness to wait. Explore our crystal balls and scrying collection, add a soft light from our pillar, dinner and tealight candles, and give yourself fifteen calm minutes on the next quiet evening.
Questions and answers
What is the easiest way to start scrying?
Many beginners find candle flame or water scrying the easiest, because you need very little. Sit in a dim, quiet room, gaze softly at a flame or a dark bowl of still water for ten minutes, and note anything you see or feel. Keep the session short and relaxed, and write everything down afterwards.
What size crystal ball is best for scrying?
A ball of around 80mm to 110mm is a comfortable size for most beginners. It is large enough to gaze into easily from a short distance, without being heavy or awkward. Smaller balls are lovely for altars and carrying, while larger ones give a deeper view if you scry often.
Is a black mirror better than a crystal ball?
Neither is better; they simply suit different people. A black mirror shows only soft, dark reflections, which some people find easier on the eyes. A clear crystal ball has inner clouds and veils that give the gaze something to rest on. If you are unsure, try water or a candle first.
What should I do if I don't see anything when scrying?
That is very common, especially at first. Many people notice feelings, thoughts or colours rather than clear pictures, and those count too. Keep sessions short, stay relaxed rather than straining, and record whatever comes, however small. Like meditation, scrying usually becomes easier with gentle, regular practice.
Where should I keep my crystal ball?
Keep it on its stand, out of direct sunlight, as a clear sphere can focus the sun strongly enough to scorch nearby surfaces. A shelf, a closed box or your altar, away from windows, is ideal. Many people cover it with a soft cloth when it is not in use to keep it clean.
