Scrying, also called "seeing" or "peeping," is a practice that comes from divination and fortune-telling. It involves looking into a medium, such as a crystal ball or water, to receive messages or visions that might provide guidance, predictions, or inspiration. Scrying is similar to other types of divination but usually depends on visions that appear within the chosen medium. Unlike augury, which uses observable events, or divination, which follows set rituals, scrying relies on images that appear inside the medium itself.

The names and methods used in scrying vary widely and are not standardized. Practitioners use terms like "crystallomancy," "spheromancy," or "catoptromancy" to describe practices based on the tools or techniques used. These methods have changed over time and are found in many cultures around the world. Scrying tools include reflective, refractive, or glowing surfaces such as crystals, mirrors, water, fire, or smoke. Some people close their eyes and use "eyelid scrying" to focus their attention.

Scrying methods often involve entering a trance, which is a state of deep focus. Tools like crystal balls or even modern devices like smartphones may be used. Practitioners aim to clear their minds so that images can appear. These images, even if simple at first, become more noticeable during the trance. Some people say they hear their own voice confirming what they see, creating a loop of mental feedback.

Many cultures and traditions throughout history have used scrying to explore the past, present, or future. The practice uses a wide range of tools, from mirrors to shimmering illusions, and often includes rituals that change the mind’s state. While scrying is popular in spiritual and occult groups and is shown in movies and books, there is no scientific proof that it works. Scientists remain skeptical about its validity.

Definitions and terminology

There is no clear difference between scrying and other methods used for clairvoyance, augury, or divination. However, scrying usually involves seeing visions through a chosen medium, such as a crystal or mirror. This is different from augury, which uses observable things like bird flight for predictions. It also differs from divination, which follows set rituals, and from oneiromancy, which interprets dreams. Scrying is also distinct from clairvoyance, which is thought to rely on sensing things without using the five senses. Clairvoyance is often described as a form of extrasensory perception.

Scrying is not a single, clearly defined practice. It has changed over time and varies across different cultures and regions. People who use scrying and those who write about it often create new terms in a way that makes it hard to have one standard system of names. Many of these terms are based on Latin or Greek words that describe the tools or methods used. For example, "crystallomancy" and "spheromancy" are names for crystal gazing, while "catoptromancy" refers to scrying using mirrors or reflective objects, not crystals. Other terms include "anthracomancy" for looking into glowing coals, "turifumy" for scrying in smoke, and "hydromancy" for scrying in water. There is no clear rule about how these terms are created or used.

Many cultures have practiced scrying, believing it can reveal the past, present, or future. Some people think the visions seen during scrying come from the subconscious or imagination, while others believe they come from gods, spirits, or the psychic mind. These beliefs depend on the culture and practice. However, there is no scientific evidence to support any of these views. People’s preferences about where visions come from are based on personal choices, not proof.

Sometimes, the medium used for scrying is chosen to reduce visual details so that the mind can focus on visions without being distracted. For example, using dark or shadowy reflections, such as dim night sky images or plain darkness, may help create clearer impressions.

Methods

Scrying is a practice that involves entering a trance, either on one’s own or with the help of a medium like a crystal ball or modern tools such as a smartphone. Some people compare the feeling of this trance to the effects of drugs, while others believe certain drugs can make the experience stronger. However, some practitioners firmly believe that using drugs would make the experience invalid and not real.

Many people who practice scrying say that the medium, such as a crystal ball, helps them focus their attention. This process is similar to repeating a mantra, concentrating on a mandala, or using hypnosis to relax the mind. Once focused, the scryer may begin to describe images they see, even if they seem unimportant at first. Saying these images aloud is thought to help deepen the trance. Some scryers report hearing their own voice, separate from their usual thoughts, confirming what they see in a loop of mental feedback.

Practitioners continue this process until they reach a state where they see clear images or dramatic scenes in the medium or in their own mind. They say this method helps them see meaningful events or images within the object they are focusing on.

Nostradamus, a historical figure, practiced scrying. He would stare into a bowl of water or a magic mirror while in a trance to try to see the future.

Religion and mythology

Divination is briefly mentioned in chapter 44 of the Book of Genesis. A silver chalice or cup is placed on purpose in Benjamin's sack when he leaves Egypt. Later, the cup is used as proof of theft. It is later shown that the cup belongs to Joseph, the vizier of Egypt. Joseph's steward said the cup was used for drinking and divination during his accusation. This detail helps hide Joseph's true identity as an Egyptian nobleman.

The Shahnameh, a 10th-century epic that tells stories about the history and myths of Persia, describes the Cup of Jamshid (Jaam-e Jam). This cup was used by ancient Persian kings to observe the seven layers of the universe. The cup was said to hold an elixir of immortality, but there is no clear explanation of how the elixir relates to the cup's use for divination.

In the late 1820s, Joseph Smith started the Latter Day Saint movement, partly based on visions from seer stones. Smith used at least three stones during treasure-hunting trips. Later, he placed his favorite stone inside his hat to see what he called special visions from the stone. Smith also claimed to own a pair of glasses made from seer stones. He called them the Urim and Thummim and said they helped him translate the golden plates, which are believed to be the source of the Book of Mormon.

In folklore

Rituals that include actions similar to scrying in ceremonial magic are still found in folklore and superstition today. One old tradition once believed that young women looking into a mirror in a dark room, often on Halloween, might see their future husband's face in the mirror—or a skull that represented Death if they were to die before marriage.

Another version of this idea appears in the tale of "Bloody Mary." In this story, teenagers often perform a ritual where they stare into a mirror in a dark room to challenge themselves against a ghost or witch. This ritual is designed to let the participants leave quickly if the experience becomes too scary.

Folklore and superstition are closely related to traditional stories because both include beliefs in magic and the supernatural. For example, in the fairy tale Snow White, the jealous queen asks a magic mirror, "Magic mirror on the wall, who is the fairest of them all?" The mirror always replies, "You, my queen, are the fairest of all." However, when Snow White turns seven, the mirror changes its answer to say that Snow White is now more beautiful than the queen. People who believe in these stories and superstitions have different views about how seriously they should take them.

In Western esotericism

The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn (1888–c.1902 in its original form) taught a method of scrying that could be practiced by individuals or groups. This method focused on three different approaches:

• "Scrying in the Spirit Vision" involved using symbols or mirrors to imagine images and gain insights through inner vision.
• "Traveling in the Spirit Vision" included imagining traveling to the places seen during scrying and interacting with objects or scenes found there.
• "Rising on the Planes" described a spiritual process that used the Tree of Life as a guide. This process aimed to help individuals reach a higher level of spiritual understanding, potentially connecting them to the Divine.

Scientific reception

Scrying is not supported by science as a way to predict the future or learn information that cannot be studied through experiments. Some people believe it is not a real science. Others think scrying happens because of mistakes in thinking or strong desires to see certain things.

Psychologist Leonard Zusne said that images seen during scrying might be hallucinations or experiences similar to those that happen when falling asleep.

A 2010 study in the journal Perception described a method to create a scrying illusion using a mirror. The study suggested that the illusion might happen because small changes in the edges, shadows, and outlines of objects can make a face look unclear. This unclear image might then be mistaken for another person by the brain’s system for recognizing faces.