Skrying – The Simple Yet Ancient Art of Crystal Gazing 

The earliest recorded use of crystals for clear seeing, or clairvoyant, purposes, as well as healing purposes, date back to 10th century Persia. Here scrolls still exist that illustrate that the art of “skrying”, (scrying in modern English) or “perceiving from a distance; a form of divination”, used by practitioners of esoteric sciences. In addition, they reveal that Agate was popular for scrying. Agate is a micro-crystaline variety of Quartz. Also characterized by its fineness of grain and brightness of colour. And found more than 3,000 years ago in what is now Italy.

Crystal gazing is extremely rich in its historical context; Even though we do not know the exact date or place where this practice originated and it is still unknown today. But, it is reasonable to say that crystal gazing or skrying in some form has been with mankind since antiquity.

Early Practitioners

Early practitioners were largely medicine men and seers for their communities; Nostradamus, a highly educated healer, physician, astrologer, philosopher, and psychic, was a “secret scryer,” as were many early prophets. Crystals and their many uses were among many of the first forms of divination and healing. Man first realized they were able to discern, manipulate, and heal from many reflective surfaces. A pool of water, a stone, a slate of glass, and even fire and smoke, fulfilled this purpose.

However, the history of crystals is not confined to Southern Europe and the Middle East. Cultures all over the world use the properties of crystals as a means of divining the past, present, or future. As well as for healing. Depending on the culture and practice, crystal gazers of yesterday and today will usually see visions. They also use the crystals to clear the “etheric energy” around the body, and apply crystals to certain “power points” on the body in order to heal a specific ailment.

Crystal Balls and Natural Stone in Skrying

Crystal balls, composed of the same elements of “raw” crystals cut from rock and various gems, became popular in 18th and 19th century Europe, with the rise of Spiritualism. Many practitioners still use crystal balls to perform healing and divination; it varies largely with each person and his or her individual choice. But in broad terms, the rather roughly cut, yet elegantly mysterious mirage that one can see inside a crystal cut from a natural rock or gemstone is still popular. This is because, unlike a crystal ball, there is nothing “static” or “fixed” about a natural crystal. They can come in every size, shape, colour, and with any accessory imaginable.

Those new to the practice of crystal healing and its many other properties are best advised to choose the crystals that “call out” to them; it is often said that the shaman, or psychic, in everyone reaches for that which just “feels right” to them. When entering a metaphysical shop or even while perusing pages of a catalogue or on the Internet, though you may have certain ideas or preferences regarding the colours, shapes, and even the sizes of the crystals you’d like to use, you may be surprised at what you end up taking home!

The unconscious mind is always at work, ruminating just beneath the surface, to lead you exactly to the source – in this case, the crystals – that you need. Just like people, snowflakes, and teardrops, crystals are all unique – and each is meant for only one person. Keep your body and mind in an open, receptive state when looking for your special crystals – they will become your very own “charms” – especially once you have taken them home and truly made them yours.

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© Ron and Sue Windred.
Disclaimer: The outlined metaphysical and healing properties in this website are for inspiration and reference. We gather this information and alleged properties from writings, books, folklore and various other sources. They are also dependent upon the attitude and beliefs of the individual. Furthermore they do not replace diagnosis or treatment by a qualified therapist or physician.