Crystal Balls and Divination
Throughout history, the use of crystal balls as a means of divination in an art process called “scrying”, has been evidently known to exist. Crystal balls sometimes known as shew stones have been believed to aid in clairvoyance. Facts on the use of crystal balls as a way of foretelling in medieval times were by no means rare in Roman and Greek periods.
As early as 2000 B.C., Celtic tribes known to exist in Britain during this period were joined by a priesthood known as Druids. Druids were one of the earliest identified people to have used crystals in divination. Druid religion interestingly, had similarities to megalithic religion of an “earlier” Britain; hence the possibility of the first use of crystal balls divination might have originated from them.
Crystal balls used for the art of “scrying”, which is an ancient technique or process of “seeing” where images are seen in crystals, or other mediums such as water, are understood as meaningful information, and in turn used to make important decisions in one’s aspect of life such as finances, marriage, travel, business, love, and many more.
The process in scrying with the use of crystal balls is done in a way, where the points of light reflected from the polished surface of crystal balls serve to draw the attention of the gazer and to fix the eye until, steadily, the optic nerve becomes so exhausted that finally stops to transmit to the sensorium the feeling from within and starts to respond to the impulse action, taking place from the brain of the gazer. In this way, the feeling received from within is in fact projected and seem to come from without.
Crystal balls seem to be one of the most famous forms of scrying as well as a divination tool. When crystal is used for scrying, it is known as crystallomacy. Crystal balls divination played a key-role in decision-making practice of a lot of powerful leaders. One of the most noteworthy in history, who sought out the advice and prophecies of Merlin the Magician, was King Arthur. In more recent history, the first lady of then President Ronald Reagan, Nancy Reagan, ardently used psychics to plan her husband’s foreign and domestic affairs. Dr. John Dee was a renowned mathematician, geographer, astronomer, astrologer, and consultant to Queen Elizabeth I, and was known for the use of crystal balls in his works.
Early crystal balls were made from Beryl, and later replaced to an even more transparent rock crystal. Today however, manufacturers of crystal balls have made them into more suitable elegant pieces not only for those who use it for clairvoyance, but for collectors who want to add them as an accent to their homes as well.
Whether for divination or for collection, crystal balls will always take with it, its enchanting history, its mysterious use, and its origin.