The Forgotten Art of Scrying

“People of Orphalese, beauty is life when life unveils her holy face. But you are life and you are the veil. Beauty is eternity gazing at itself in a mirror. But you are eternity and you are the mirror.” –Kahlil Gibran

General History of Scrying

Scrying has its ancient origins coming from just about every corner of the globe, however, the revived European interest in scrying can be primarily traced between the medieval and renaissance period when new interest in magical philosophy began springing up. Some other well-known cultures that practiced forms of scrying can be found among the Hindu, Egyptians, and even the Greeks. The ancient Egyptians in particular would use a vessel filled with oil and would call among a young boy to look into the oil, while invoking the name of  one of their gods seven times they were able to foresee the future. This Egyptian method of scrying is quite similar to those found within historical Hebrew writings. Furthermore, certain waters or oils were substituted to increase its intensity of a vision within the spread of this technique.

Depending on the tradition, various objects were substituted for scrying mirrors. Some cultures were known to use crystals or obsidian or smooth reflective rocks or even shiny bronze discs. Among some traditions, for example, the seer or high priest would use a small amount of blood placed on a mirror to foresee the future or answers. Occult philosopher, Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa (1486-1535), denied that scrying had anything to do with sorcery or the devil;  “the fantasy, or imaginative power, has ruling power over the passions of the soul, when these are bound to sensual apprehensions.” There was an entire Aztec cult dedicated to the god , which literally translated means ‘smoking mirror’ or ‘lord of the smoking mirror’ (tezcatl, meaning ‘it is a mirror’ and ihpoca, ‘it emits smoke’), whereby priests would use flat black obsidian mirrors for obtaining their visions (black being the color of Tezcatlipoca reserved only by priests and also represented strength).  Franciscan Friar Bernardino de Sahagún, who collected ethnographies in the New World, once commented about Tezcatlipoca, “like the wind he is invisible and, like a shadow he moves across the land.” Within the mythology itself Tezcatlipoca’s omniscient powers derived from the implementation of his obsidian mirror in which he was able to know everything and ‘see into the hearts of men.’ “The seventh sign or omen is that waterbird hunters caught a brown bird the size of a crane, and they brought it to Moctezuma to show him, he was in the room they call Tlillancalmecac. It was after midday. This bird had on its forehead a round mirror in which could be seen the sky and stars, especially the Mastelejos near the Pleiades. Moctezuma was afraid when he saw this, and the second time he looked into the mirror that the bird had, there he saw nearby a crowd of people gathered who came mounted on horses. And Moctezuma than called his augurs and diviners and he asked them “Don’t you know what this means? That many people are coming.” And before the diviners could reply, the bird disappeared, and they said nothing.” –Bernardino de Sahagún, Historia de las cosas de Nueva España, Book 12, Chapter 1 One of these such mirrors that was used by Tezcatlipoca-cult high priests was obtained by Hernán Cortés between 1527 and 1530 and was brought back to Europe. In Europe the notable astrologer and magician John Dee later obtained one of these Aztec mirrors brought back by  Cortés. John Dee used it for his own divination and later unintentionally transformed it into a popular tool for practicing mystics and magicians as he journeyed from court to court throughout Europe. Though scrying had been popularized by seers like John Dee and Nostradamus, scrying eventually began to have an influence on folklore as well. If we think back even to the childhood Brothers Grimm’s story of Snow White, we can easily see the historical continuation and influence of  mirrors being used as tools for divination throughout the centuries.

Looking-glass upon the wall, Who’s the fairest one of all?

Elements of Scrying

The purpose of a mirror as a ‘magical’ tool, contrary to popular belief, is not to summon spirits and have them give you answers, place curses or even spells. It is a tool used for self-reflection. In basic psychological terms, it can best be described as a form of psychoanalysis whereby an individual attempts to create a direct connection with the subconscious by suppressing the id and ego. Rather than restricting the unconscious to the confines within the mind, a seer is able to visually project the unconscious within the mirror. And thus by projecting the unconscious visually, the desired subject of analysis becomes tangible and less mentally abstract. Taking it a step further, within a mystical context, the unconscious is direct link to our psychic interpretation and divine inspirations that would best be associated to what Carl Jung described as the ‘collective unconscious.’ Specific cultural archetypes, as Jung described, are able to be found universally through this collective unconscious, or that common inner experience that we all share. The projections of these archetypes, such as angelic beings or demons, are simple representations of one’s inner self that can be projected within the mirror and directly confronted. The mirror, as a tool for this psychoanalytical purpose, functions solely through the individual.  What an individual perceives through the mirror is solely based upon their perception and the very limits of their own subconscious which become reflected within the mirror. In other words, what you are opening up to subconsciously plays out virtually on the mirror. Many students of western esoteric traditions are familiar with the use of a regular mirror that is quite useful when meditating or reflecting. Many students of Rosicrucian philosophy, for example, have a mirror within their area of study (or sanctums) used for meditation and ritual. The overall consensus and belief is that regular glass mirrors work in general manner for receiving/perceiving broad information and are limited in accessibility for specific tasks. Black mirrors, however, are able to zoom in and intensify a specific task or purpose, thus eliminating all other interference that would otherwise be present. Hermeticist Franz Bardon stated the following regarding the use of mirrors:

The use of magic mirrors for purposes of ritual magic has, up to now, been scarcely recommended in books on magic, since only a very limited number of initiates have been acquainted with the correct application of fluid condensers with regard to mirrors, and these initiates have kept it a great secret. The magic mirror is a magical aid that is not absolutely necessary, but the magician will always appreciate it as a good support in his work, especially when operating with powers or beings of minor intelligence. In some cases the magic mirror may even replace the magic triangle. A magic mirror provided with a fluid condenser is of great advantage, but if the magician has no such condenser he will be able to do without; that is, an optical magic mirror will suffice. I have given a full description of the use of the magic mirror in a separate chapter of my first book “Initiation into Hermetics”, therefore I shall only say something about the purpose which a magic mirror is to serve in connection with evocations and in what way it may facilitate that work. In ritual magic it may be used for the following purposes. 1. To get into contact with powers and beings and to make them visible. For this purpose, the magic mirror is either placed into the triangle, or what is of even greater advantage, fixed to the upper point of the triangle, on its outside. The charging or impregnation of the mirror with the desired power comes next. Employing your imagination you must concentrate your desire for the thought purpose into the condensed power – volt – before the actual evocation. 2. The magic mirror may, secondly, be used for space impregnation in which case the necessary dynamics will automatically be preserved during the whole period of evocation without the magician needing to pay particular attention to it, thus being able to concentrate fully on the other phases of his ritual, for instance, on the materialization or the clairvoyance. In such a case the mirror is to be placed into a corner of the room, so that its influence will work on the whole space of the relevant magic operation. 3. The mirror may be employed as a magnetic force for attracting the being that is to be evoked. To effect this, the surface of the mirror must be charged with a fluid condenser facing the direction in which it is to operate. The mirror has then to be placed into the centre of the triangle or at the top of its upper point. 4. Furthermore, the magic mirror may be used as an accumulator or condenser – so that much qualitative and quantitative power can be accumulated as to enable the being evoked to bring about the desired effects. It does not matter if, in this case, the being is to be transformed by the help of the condensed power into a visible shape or if some other result or effect is intended. All this actually depends on what the magician wishes or desires to achieve. 5. Moreover, the magic mirror may replace a telephone. For this purpose the fluid condenser must be charged with the Akasha and a timeless and spaceless state has to be created by the force of concentration. The evocation then has to be spoken into the mirror. The magic mirror thus becomes an astral channel of communication. Not only is this the magician’s method for calling before him a certain being or power; the being itself is able to talk to the magician out of the mirror. The magician may thus sometimes hear the being’s voice not only mentally or astrally, but also physically, as if it were speaking through a loudspeaker. In principle it will, however, be up to the magician to choose the sphere in which the mirror is to operate. A mirror charged for the physical world will make it possible for people not trained in magic to hear the voice of a spirit. Of course, two magicians, equally well trained, may, if they choose, converse with each other over the greatest distances, – not only astrally and mentally, but also physically – by this mirror method, and they will hear, if they like to do so, every word through their physical ears. 6. There is still another purpose the mirror may serve in ritual magic: for protection against undesired influences. The condensation of light usually brings this about. When charging the mirror the magician has to concentrate on his desire to keep off all undesirable influences. The power of radiation of a mirror charged in such a way must be great enough to prevent any larva, phantom, etc., from coming near the space in which the magician is operating; they must not, under any circumstances whatsoever, penetrate into this space. Also in this case the mirror has to be thus placed that it radiates the whole room or space in which the relevant magic operation is carried through.

In general, the magician will have his mirror serve only one purpose. He will only apply it for that type of problem that seems to him the most difficult one. In ceremonial magic, the magician may, if he likes, use more than one magic mirror as a magic aid, in order to attain his goals and facilitate his work. Franz Burdon (taken from The Practice of Magical Evocation)

Scrying Exercise 

As with anything else proper cleansing of the area must be done to prevent unnecessary intrusions. Afterwards, a proper opening invocation must be adhered to in order to close off all perceptions in order to maintain a focal point during the exercise. The opening invocation is also critical to prevent malicious or unnecessary intrusions that may factor in to one’s own perception. Both the subconscious and conscious must be mastered to a specific degree before attempting scrying (as with meditational practice). With the conscious mind subdued, the subconscious is able to roam free, but even within these terms you must be able to somewhat control the movements within the subconscious. The best way to achieve this is by mastering various forms of meditation and by putting yourself in a passive state clear of all mental intrusions. Some individuals are more unconsciously open to the perception of residual memories, futuristic interpretations and even direct answers; the mirror for these individuals will merely act as a gateway in which to perceive such thoughts more vividly and directly. I do not recommend that the mirror be used for such purposes as with trying to contact a deceased individual, etc, for the only perceptions to be gained are those already existing within. The mirror is best used as a tool for meditation, reflection, and gathering information from the unconscious. It must never be used for the purpose of harming another individual or to serve wrongful motives (for you’ll only be hurting yourself). Overtime one’s perception will increase and what was once quick flashes of light on the mirror may increase to full-length movies playing on the screen. Black mirrors vary and I have seen many different types. Some stores sell some mirrors, but I highly suggest creating your own. The more effort you put into it, the more you will get out. I have followed the Donald Tyson’s method of creating a black mirror (from his book, How to Make and Use a Magic Mirror: Psychic Windows Into New Worlds). Inside my specific mirror there consists of a Natural Fluid Condenser and a Symbolic Fluid Condenser which make up the ‘force’ behind the Mirror. The Natural Fluid Condenser may include silver, salt, hairs, etc, while the Symbolic Fluid Condenser consists of hand drawn symbolic depictions. The glass is painted black and the wood frame as well. On the front side of the mirror are the 12 signs of the Zodiac painted in white, and on the back of the mirror is a nonogram with the Enochian letters “Zir Enay Iad” which translates “I am the Lord your God.” The Inner points inside the nonogram consist of the name “GAHOACHMA” similar to the Hebrew name “Eheieh” meaning “I am that I am.” For my black mirror the construction took place only at night, and afterwards, a proper charging ritual was adhered to. Once your mirror is created, place two candles on either side of the mirror, light some incense and be receptive to the divine inspirations. Take three deeply profound breathes and remain still, clear out any conscious thoughts that may linger or pass on through. It takes a lot of practice. After sometime everything reflected by the mirror visually begins to fade away and you may perceive what looks like dense moving clouds. With some mastery you should be able to pierce through the wall of clouds and see through to another world. Be objective at first and overtime, if you so chose to, focus on a specific answer you wish to seek out. Everything comes from within, but we limit ourselves as conscious fast-paced living beings. And it’s not until we silence those doubts and negative thoughts and begin to listen to that internal voice that we begin to perceive a whole new world.