Scrying is the gazing into crystal balls, stones, fire, water, and other things in order to see future events or those that are distant. The history of scrying is lost in the distant past, so we can only surmise that history.

There is little doubt that the practice of scrying was a part of nearly all ancient cultures. This is understandable in that the people of the time had little knowledge of the workings of the world about them, yet as even today, they desired to have at least an inkling of what the future held in store for them. They used several different methods to do this, including the reading of tealeaves and such distasteful methods as the reading of animal entrails.

Scrying was probably the least intrusive way to foretell the future. It had the advantage of being something that almost anyone could do, with a suitable crystal or other medium. It is likely that not many did, since going back in history; we find that the main goal was simply to survive. Yet, there is a probability that the practice did work to a degree.

Staring into a crystal, a ball or otherwise, or looking into flames, water, and such, formed a focus for the mind. This wouldn't mean that a person could see the future, however it could mean that they would be aware of subtle signs they wouldn't ordinarily be aware of. With a focus point and concentration, some things could no doubt come to the surface.

For instance, the summer has been colder than normal, crops have failed, animals are putting on thick coats much earlier than normal, and storms have been lashing the land. The scryer may not consciously put all of these things together.

However, staring into their favored medium and focusing their minds, they can get the image of an impending severe winter. They need not ever make a connection between the many things they've observed. Under such concentration, the mind can arrive at the conclusion without being consciously aware of the observed phenomenon that led to that conclusion.

It must also be pointed out that it really isn't foretelling the actual future, since the signs could mean little. Still, it did have a bearing, especially on the family or village the soothsayer lived in. Since these manifestations were often correct, it is also likely that many people were actually saved by scrying. Each success would simply reinforce the belief in the practice.

It might be thought that failures would have the opposite effect, yet it probably did no more than cast doubt on the person reading the signs, rather than on the scrying.

There are people even today who practice scrying. Their accuracy is no better and no worse than those in history and prehistory who practiced the art. Still, the history of scrying is lost in antiquity. It is nearly impossible to say who first came up with the idea, and it isn't tremendously important. Scrying has been around for a very long time, and there is every indication that it will continue for a long time. Before discounting it though, consider that the US weather bureau, using millions of dollars of computers and thousands of workers, is wrong in their predictions more often than they are right.

Maybe a few scryers might help.

Learn more about this author, Rex Trulove.
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