Scrying comes from the Old English word descry meaning “to make out dimly” or to reveal. Adding the suffix “be” gives us the modern word describe. Depending on the tool used, there are various different names for the types of scrying.Catoptromancy is a form of scrying and divination using a mirror. It is also known as captromancy or enoptromancy. Mirror gazing is a popular method of scrying and comes in two forms. The first requires an individual to stand before a mirror and stare into their reflection. By relaxing their vision images appear in the reflection and spiritual messages can be interpreted or questions can be answered. The second method uses a mirror as a scrying plate. A mirror is placed flat on a table or at a 90 degree angle. A flame or small light is placed near the mirror to allow the light to reflect onto the mirror. The scryer would then interpret spiritual messages or discern answers to questions from the lights reflection and perceived images.Ceroscopy is a form of scrying with wax. A scryer would fully met the wax in a pot, most often made of brass. The liquid wax was then dripped into cool water where tiny shapes were formed. The scryer would then interpret spiritual messages from the molded wax shapes floating in the water.Cloud gazing is a method of scrying using clouds in the sky. Discerning shapes in the clouds and witnessing their evolution foretells current events and how they will change and come to pass.Crystal gazing is a method of scrying where a scryer looks into a crystal, typically a ball, and reads the images that appear in the reflection.Hydromancy is a method of divination scrying using water, including the color, ebb and flow, or ripples produced by pebbles dropped in a pool. The scryer would then interpret spiritual messages or discern answers to questions from the images perceived in the water.Lecanomancy is a form of water scrying where a stone is thrown into a basin or body of still water. The scryer divines messages from the sound the stone makes in the water and the images formed in the rippling water.Lychnomancy is a form of divination by flame. Also called Lamp gazing or Flame gazing. This is a method of scrying using the light of an oil lamp or the flame from a candle or fire. Images are perceived in the flame, or shadowy images are perceived close to the flames that provide messages to the seer.Another method of Candle gazing employs the use of 3 candles arranged in a triangle. A questioner or a scryer ask questions and the answers are depicted in the action of the flames.
- A positive answer to a question is indicated by one flame burning higher than the other two.
- A wavering flame would indicate a journey.
- A spiral flame indicated plots by enemies.
- An uneven flame danger.
- Sparks indicate caution.
- A sudden extinction of a flame indicates bad luck.
Molybdomancy is a method of scrying using melted metal and water. Using tin or lead, the metal was melted to a liquid state and then dripped into cold water where the metal would harden into varying shapes. A scryer would then interpret the spiritual messages from the molded metal shapes.Oculomancy is a form of scrying where the diviner gazes into the questioners’ eyes and reads the reflections.Oil gazing is a method of scrying using oil in various forms. It can be placed in a dish, rubbed on the hand or forehead, coated within a cup or plate to reflect light directed into the oil.Scrying plates are often made of stone or crystal polished to a very high gloss for reflection. A scryer would gaze into the reflection or would coat the plate with water or oil and gaze into the reflective service. The scryer would then interpret spiritual messages or discern answers to questions from the images perceived in the reflection.Smoke gazing is a method of scrying using smoke from a flame or typically a fire. As the smoke rises, images are perceived in the smoke that details spiritual messages for the seer.