Ask the crystal ball
The crystal ball is a glass sphere typically used for scrying (the act of finding info hidden from view). Ancient Egyptians Romans and Greeks were among the earliest known scryers. The practice continues to this day by fortune Tellers occultists psychics.
The crystal ball is widely used in spiritualism to allow the clairvoyant mind-reading powers of mediums to function. Mediums when properly trained may use their crystal ball to look into the spirit world discovering lost info and spirits.
Some sources claim that many modern crystal balls are constructed of opaque glass and plastic by glass artists using methods. This is not the case in most cases. Most crystal ball performers either have genuine (and expensive) crystal balls or cheap acrylic ones.
The origins of the crystal ball are uncertain. The earliest known art depicting what seems to be a clear glass sphere with a mirror inside was in China around 500 BC. They were used by early Greek psychics such as Ptolemy (150 AD) and Paracelsus (1500).
The ball was first mentioned in the 1200s by Roger Bacon a Franciscan friar from England. In his Opus Majus he described how creating a crystal sphere worked. He saw a woman who had seen visions of the other world and had placed her hand on her face. Her skin was marked with lines that seemed to indicate she could see images in her mind. The woman took her crystal ball and held it over the mark on her face. Suddenly the marks on the crystal ball changed into symbols presumably to represent images from the other world.
Historically no clear origin of crystal balls has been established. One of the most widely accepted theories suggests that crystal balls originated in ancient Greece where they were created by “scrying maidens” though some historians believe they may have been earlier brought to Europe by Greek sailors.
The crystal ball is usually carved from a single crystal or rock crystal though it can be made from many types of glass including flint glass. The sphere must be large enough for a person to sit inside with their hands and arms outstretched for use as part of a set. In less sophisticated versions any type of reflective surface such as polished metal or smooth glass can be used.
The ball is sometimes decorated with symbols such as stars circles or zodiac signs. The user may wear a robe and special headdress while sitting inside the ball.
Crystal ball prediction
In spiritualism some mediums have made use of crystal balls – supposedly to allow the clairvoyant powers of the mind to function through them under certain circumstances. The idea is that when a spirit communicator who is using a trance medium passes over into the next world they can see what is happening on Earth with their own eyes through the medium’s crystal ball then pass info along to those who are grieving for their loved ones.
The operation of the crystal ball is perhaps the most difficult part of the process. The medium will sit inside of it while being closely observed by an observer. The medium lights a candle then holds it over their head with one hand while using the other to hold onto a piece of string which is tied around their waist. The observer will then ask questions that need answering and the medium will answer them by reading their thoughts.
It is said some psychics have been known to use this method from as far away as 20 miles from their client’s home though this seems unlikely. The five senses only work up to a maximum distance of about 100 yards (about 820 feet or 260 meters).
The medium must be in enough of a trance to allow them to do this without being aware of what they are doing. It is important for all who use crystal balls never to reveal their whereabouts for if they are discovered they may be taken and either used as evidence against them or destroyed.
It is possible to use the crystal ball as part of a process that allows for the communication between spirits and living people over great distances (usually over a network of conversations) without any physical contact with another person. This is typically done through the use of a computer or global network. It is possible that this method is used by those who are criminals to help them commit crimes over great distances at least until caught and convicted.
Crystals have long been used for divination. The most common form of such divination uses an ordinary crystal ball as a focus for meditation and as an aid to concentration. The ball can be touched or held during meditation or magic/ritual but should not be moved while doing so.
There may be some direct correlation between the medieval crystal ball and the Tibetan “magic mirror” (called kapala). In the contemporary world the crystal ball is considered unimportant except by those who follow the Western Mystery Tradition.
The most commonly seen use of a crystal ball in popular culture is as a part of a mind-reading act in front of an audience. A traditional mind-reading act (called because the reader looks into the minds of volunteers and tells them what they are thinking without resorting to hypnotism) cannot happen without some form of aid for both the reader and those being read. The traditional crystal ball is still widely used for this purpose.
Another use for a crystal ball is to identify objects at a distance.
The use of a crystal ball may be considered to be a part of shamanism which flourished in the Middle Ages and still has influences today.
It is not uncommon to see crystal balls used in conjunction with fortune telling. These crystal balls are usually placed over the head of the customer For his or her thoughts to be read by the practitioner. This method is cumbersome and not always effective. The real power lies in properly prepared crystal balls and knowing how to interpret what their user sees or thinks about.
