Scrying is an old word for the practice of crystal-gazing or using some similar means to obtain clairvoyance. It is akin to the word "descry" which originally meant to reveal, as well as to discover by seeing. Scrying is a more general term than crystal-gazing, because it embraces all forms of developing clairvoyance by gazing at or into some object.

The object used in scrying is called a "speculum." Throughout the ages, a great many different objects have been used for this purpose. The transparent crystal globe, with the use of which most people are familiar, is only one of a great variety of such specula.

The practice of scrying is common to witches of all ages and countries. Like magick in general, it is as old as man himself; and it is still as popular with contemporary witches as it was long ago.

Witches seldom possessed a crystal ball for two reasons. First, a genuine crystal ball is a valuable and expensive object. Most so-called "crystals" are actually simply glass. The very latest development in this field is that of transparent globes of acrylic plastic. These are nevertheless described as "crystal balls" in the advertisements for them in magazines. Real rock crystal is a semi-precious stone; a ball made from it is heavy, and icy cold. It takes an expert to distinguish the real thing from imitations. Hence, valuable crystals usually round but sometimes egg-shaped or pear-shaped, became precious heirlooms handed down for generations and beyond the pocket of the poorer witch.

Second, such a possession was not only expensive and valuable, it was dangerous. To have such a thing found in one's house, immediately convicted the owner of magickal practices. In the days when witchcraft was a hanging matter, witches found it wise to improvise their speculum out of things which could be found innocently in any cottage -- a rule which they followed with many of their other tools as well.

Consequently, a black bowl filled with water is quite popular as a speculum. So also are the old-fashioned glass globes used by fishermen as floats for their nets. These often come in beautiful dark green or blue glass, and make fine specula.

Today, antique dealers sometimes sell these old fishing floats as "witch balls." They are not, although witches did use them.

Some witches use a blue glass bottle as a speculum, filling the bottle with water. A ball of black glass was particularly prized, some thinking it superior even to a genuine crystal ball. Others considered that the best speculum was a ball of pale greenish-colored beryl crystal.

To be sure, there are plenty of pre-made spells available for just about anything a witchcraft practitioner might be trying to do. But don't let that stop you from creating your own!

You can make use of the tools and ingredients you already have around and create a powerful spell with your own mind. In many cases, it is even better to use your own spell rather than one created by someone else, because when you construct the spell yourself, you ensure that it is exactly suited to your purpose.

There is no one right way in witchcraft, which means that you have the power to create your own witchcraft spells.

One of the first things to consider in constructing a spell is when you will be casting it.

The phases of the moon are important here.

The waxing moon is a time for spells involving increasing and attracting.

The waning moon is a time for spells involving decreasing or repelling. The full moon is the time of greatest power, followed by the new moon.

Deciding on what tools and ingredients to use in your spell is a time for your creativity to show itself. You may wish to create a charm or talisman with your spell. Or your choices may have a symbolic relationship to the spell you are casting (like burying something that you want to put out of mind).

Use the information you have about the properties of different magical elements. Be sure to incorporate colors, scents and minerals in your witchcraft spells.

Once you know what you are going to use in your spell, you will want to write out the actual ritual. Many witches have an opening ritual, often casting the circle, which they begin all of their magical workings with. You may have one of these that you have adopted from your earlier teachings, or you may compose one now.

As was said before, there is no right way to cast a spell, just as there is no one right way to make cookies. Don't get too hung up on specific wordings, just go with what feels right to you. Invoke the power of the Goddess and/or God as you wish and make your request.

The words are really only a structure for the power of your mind, so they are not nearly as important as the energy you are putting into them.

If you are stuck when composing witchcraft spells, go ahead and look at some other spells for ideas. There is no reason you cannot borrow words that ring true to what you are trying to accomplish.

There is hardly a spell around that hasn't borrowed from another spell in some way.

spells come from a long tradition and they have always borrowed from each other.Spells published on the internet or in books are meant to be used by anyone who needs them.

Blessings

Magic happens year-round, Hallowmas is a very mystical and magical time, it not only marks the Witch’s New Year, the beginning of all things new, but it is the night that the veil between the two worlds is at its thinnest allowing for dreams and wishes to come true, the birth canal between this world and the next, the night that the dead will once again walk the earth, and just as in life there are good and bad energies, the same holds true in the realm of spirit, and it is for this reason that a Witch doesn’t believe in disturbing the spirit of one who has passed or as I like to call it, the one who has crossed the bridge!

Thoughts of old conjure the past, return to me my love ever last!

During this time it is especially important to protect and safeguard your magical workings, negative energy tends to plague our thoughts especially when we are dealing with difficult times, however, your situation will only be made worse if you focus on the negative aspects of what you are enduring, therefore it is very important to focus more on the outcome and bottom line of your goals, the more positive energy that you focus into your desires the stronger they will become.

Words of power I cast forth untangle my love and release thy hold!

This is the season of the Witch, a time of great power and strength, a time when what seemingly feels like the impossible becomes the possible, a time when teachers and masters of the past lend their talents to our magical rites, Halloween is more than a night of sweets, it is by far one of the most magical and powerful nights in the Witch’s year, a night to tap into a great cosmic force, a night to mix the seen with the unseen, a night when the sword of power is passed and preparation begins for the harshness of the season ahead!

Prepare my heart for what lies ahead upon this night of the holy dead!

Thoughts are powerful as they are living things, pure energy that is sent out unto the ethers, some pray, some chant, a Witch meditates and cast his or her request out unto the Universe on the four winds, I am a White Witch that stands in balance, I practice magic of white, but I have wielded magic of dark, but never without provocation! Within everything light you will find a fragment of dark and the same holds true for within the darkness there is a hint of the light, without one the other would cease to exist, without one there would be no balance in the Universe.

Walk the Earth and do my bidding, return to me with news fitting!

When working with energy it is very important not to cast the shadow of doubt over your magic, whether you are casting the spells yourself or you have enlisted the aid of a magical practitioner you must find the strength within to fight the temptation of doubt, casting doubt out unto the Universe will only lead to the depletion of your energy and the failure of your magic, when I conjure and mojo for myself I consider the spell completed the moment that I finish the casting, I no longer wish for what I have asked for, I see myself as having it, holding and possessing it and my actions and thoughts are geared to aid in the manifestation process.

Souls of power roaming the earth lend your strength to my myrrh!

As a whole, people tend to be way too emotional, and while at times emotional energy can be utilized to aid in magical rites and workings, more often than not it is the main reason that most people fail at successfully weaving magic, especially when it comes to casting a love spell, I have found this to be true in cases where someone is working to reunite with a lost love, people far and wide have become spoiled, after all we live in a world of instant gratification, the internet provides a world of information at our fingertips, we can shop internationally without ever leaving the confines of our abode, we pay our bills online, we can have our medication and groceries delivered, yes indeed, we are a world of spoiled consumers and instant gratification is the name of the game, unfortunately that technology doesn’t apply to matters of magic and in particular White Magic, White Magic takes time to manifest, I believe that one of the reasons for this is that White Magic still takes into consideration the free will of the subject that is being influenced and does not instantly try to break that will, where as black magic may work a bit faster, but can produce results that are very shaky, leaving cracks in the foundation that may lead to a major collapse careening everything out of control and it is for this reason that White Magic is still by far the best choice, it is absolutely a stronger and more solid foundation and although it may take a while for you to see your results, once they manifest they will certainly be lasting and not fleeting!

Increase in numbers thy will of mine, and shine forth thy light upon this night!

The bottom line is this, if you are embarking upon a path of magical workings do so without doubt and walk the path without malice in your heart, pursue the object of your affection out of love, cast your spells and never look back out of regret, for regret is an insult to the Gods and the powers that be and regret will greatly undermine the energy of your life’s work, serve the light, but never fear the dark, for what you fear will surely manifest one thousand times faster than that in which you love, conjure, chant and mojo, create in your life the happiness that you desire and deserve, learn to shield yourself from despair, doom and tribulation for you are a child of both the Goddess of light and the Mother of darkness, one without the other and the World would cease to exist!

Spirits of the past that walk the Earth forever indebted I am to you, I bid to you an eternal blessing and I salute you upon your passing!

Blessed Be