Overview of Divination Methods, Part 4
This week, we’ll continue to explore the various branches and methods of Divination that you’ll study in the next few years. Remember, you are not expected to know everything about each method this year – rather, these lessons will provide an overview so that you can decide which topics you’ll study more in depth over the next few years. You will be allowed to look back at these lessons during the exam.
Scrying
Scrying is the practice of divination by gazing into a reflective or translucent object. Popular objects used for Scrying include crystal balls and mirrors. Prior to gazing, the reader must enter a calm and relaxed state of being. By clearing the mind, the reader ensures that he/she is able to focus on the reading itself. The reader allows his/her eyes to relax as well, so that objects appear in the reflection.
Catoptromancy is one method of Scrying which involves mirrors. The reader turns the mirror toward the moon in order to reflect its light, then relaxes his/her eyes in order to see images in the reflection.
Another method of Scrying is Hydromancy. You may have guessed based on the root word hydro that this is divination using water! Running water is best for this method, but to gaze into still water one can simply drop a small pebble or similar object into the water to create a ripple.
Perhaps the most common method of Scrying is Gastromancy, or crystal-gazing. For this method, the reader relaxes his/her eyes and gazes into a crystal ball, allowing images to appear in the crystal swirls.
Regardless of the object used for Scrying, the reader interprets the images that appear in order to make predictions and interpretations about the Querent and the future. The interpretation of symbols is similar across many fields of divination, with some symbols representing positive traits and others negative.
Homework
Please answer the following questions in complete sentences. Your responses must be in your own words.
1. Describe Gastromancy in your own words. 5 points
2. How does one prepare for Scrying? 5 points
3. Other than those mentioned in the lesson, what are some objects a seer might use for Scrying? 10 points
Divination 