How did I get into crystal ball gazing? Well, I sorta fell into it. One thing leading to the next. I knew about scrying from my mother and was practicing it with her for years. She taught me the black ink in water method at first. It’s just how it sounds: You pour ink into a basin of water, turn the lights off, and light a candle and some incense. You then peer into the shapes caused by the smoke and ink and allow your subconscious to derive meaning from them. It’s the same method of divination that Nostradamus used (minus the hallucinogens, of course). This method is less about seeing specific shapes, and more about the mental images that come to you through the smoke and the shadows. It is slightly similar to mirror scrying that way.
I received my first crystal when I was about 11 or 12 years old. It was a simple crystal quartz point the size of a fist. I was taught that my crystal quartz helped strengthen communication with spirits, and that I should leave it on the boveda or bring it along for certain tarot card readings. Back then in the 80s/90s, you could get something like that really cheap like $5 or $10. Thanks to the recent crystal healing craze that’s been going on the past 5-7 years now, something like that would be $30-60 or more today. In years past, crystals were mainly thought of as little more than pretty rocks, but since then more and more books on the subject of crystal metaphysics have become available. A decent crystal ball (4-6 inches in diameter) will set you back a good amount nowadays.
I slowly became interested in working with other crystals. This was how I met “Lover,” my favorite go-to smokey quartz crystal. I’ve been told by many who meet Lover, if you look into it a certain way, you could see a skull-like face or a well dressed man from the 1920’s peering back at you. I went to every metaphysics store in NYC hoping to find something that suited my needs, but at the same time didn’t “cost an arm and a leg” to get.
As I was about to put down this small smokey quartz ball back on its pedestal, I saw a flash of light coming from within the crystal. Like a black and white TV turning on, it started to play images across its tiny surface. It showed me what certain people I knew were doing right then at that moment. I became fascinated. As fast as it came, it flashed off.
*Disclaimer: I know a lot of books on the subject say this cannot happen and not to expect this. Well, I never expected the Wicked Witch of the West treatment but lo and behold it happened. It’s different with everyone. All I can say is, I guess it just takes practice?
I haggled with the store owner and was allowed to do layaway for the piece at a discounted price in cash. I was overjoyed. I had never experienced something quite like that. Usually it was shadows, silhouettes, flashes of images in your head…not a full on physical vision! When the piece was finally paid off, I took it home and cleaned it physically with soap and water, taking all the dust and dirt of the store off. Then I saged and consecrated it. Like any spiritual tool we get, me and my mother will brake it in doing real readings with it.
We started off the usual way we do our tarot readings. We then meditated and focused on the crystal. At first it was silhouette images that you had to put together to understand the meaning, sorta like playing charades. On the rare occasions when I was able to tap into the “movie-film state”, the events unfolded clearly before me with no hesitation. I was really happy being able to enhance my tarot readings using this tool. To me, it really added depth and cleared a lot of mental blockages and hang-ups. It boosted confidence in my tarot reading abilities.
Side Note: Latin card readers will use the glass of water and candle next to them in the tarot session same way as a crystal ball. It helps to focus and recenter when a reading goes dead, blank or there’s been an interruption. Be aware though that the candle and water are still spiritual offerings in which spirit is able to communicate clearly and disperse negativity.
Step One: Where to look and what to look for…
Find the Crystal ball that’s right for you. It can have inclusions or blemishes such as clouds or rainbows, as long as it resonates for you. Some recommend that you get a perfectly clear one, but that will cost you more money. Perfectly clear crystals can range anywhere from $300 and up. Don’t purchase it online like eBay or secondhand like at a pawn shop. You will never know what you really getting. It could be cracked, damaged or worse. If none of the pieces at a store speak to you, then keep searching. You don’t have to get a giant ball like in the movies. Anything that’s 3-4 inches in diameter is perfectly fine. If all you can afford is a glass ball that’s fine but it won’t be the same as a real crystal. You’ll know the huge difference when working with both.
Don’t settle. Remember, this is not just a tool. It will eventually grow a personality and become a companion over time. Also know that just like friends in our lives, don’t get upset if they walk out one day and leave. Their work with you is done. If you want a crystal ball for visions, a plain clear white crystal quartz as your starter will be right for you. For intermediate readers, honey calcite and obsidian are amazing.
You will also need a black or red bag to carry or store your crystal ball in and a pedestal that won’t scratch the surface of the crystal over time as your turn or rotate it during readings. Keep out of direct sunlight. Besides the obvious magnifying glass effect, sunlight will destroy your crystal over time and change its color. Do not have anyone else besides yourself handle your crystal ball.
Step Two: Clear and Consecrate it.
Cleanse and clear any unwanted vibrations or attachments from the crystal. I physically clean mine with soap and water at first to remove the dirt of the store. Be careful though with other crystal types. Some are either toxic or water soluble. You can use sage, tobacco, lavender or frankincense and myrrh to clear and consecrate your crystal. If you are a Reiki healer, feel free to use your clearing techniques as well. Crystals seem to really love it.
Step Three: Program it.
There’s a reason why we use quartz crystal in most of our technology today. Quartz is a great memory and time keeper. Quartz crystals have been used in everything from watches to computer chips. They are used in transmitting instruments like radios, lasers, ultrasounds and more. Once you are ready to relax and meditate, hold your crystal in your hands with your eyes close in a yogic position. Make sure you are in a sacred space where you won’t be disturbed. Visualize and focus on nothing at first. I suggest doing the breathe of fire technique for general body release and focusing. Then slowly start to mentally speak to your crystal. Ask it questions. Tell it what you are looking for or expecting. Wait to hear a response. Sometimes it takes a while but don’t get frustrated if it doesn’t happen at first. When you are done, thank the crystal and put it back in its bag/pedestal that’s on your altar.
So that’s how you find and prep your crystal ball. Stay tuned for part 2, where I will explain how to do the actual readings.