Scrying means looking into a smooth, reflective surface to see images of things that lie outside your ordinary range of vision. Many witches use crystal balls, dark mirrors, or pools of water for scrying, but you can gaze into anything that appeals to you. The shiny surface merely stimulates your intuition. What you see is your own thoughts projected there and reflected back to you.

The famous sixteenth-century seer Nostradamus gazed into a bowl of water for hours at a time, watching visions of the future appear before him. Scrying in this manner enabled him to predict events that would occur centuries later.

A genuine crystal ball or large piece of quartz crystal is ideal for scrying because it contains all sorts of natural irregularities that help spark the imagination. Turn it in different directions and you'll see different scenarios. If you prefer, gaze into a candle flame or incense smoke (use frankincense or another scent that enhances intuition). Or just lie on your back and watch the clouds as they drift by — what do their changing shapes reveal to you?

The key to effective scrying is being able to still your mind. Allow impressions to bubble up from your subconscious. Don't try to analyze what you see too closely, just observe the images that present themselves to you. Trust your impressions, even if they don't make sense right away. Pay attention to your feelings, too, and anything else that pops into your head. It's probably best not to scry when you're upset or just not into it. And if you start to feel tired, stop — you can always try again another day.