#: 61633 S6/Tarot & Divination 11-Jul-95 17:13:17 Sb: Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: All I need a little guidance on this one. My sister is looking for a crystal ball in order to learn to do readings, etc. I went to the store and saw all kinds of them. Some were made of natural quartz crystals (coul see cloudiness, etc in them), some were made of pink quartz crystals, and some were man-made (i.e. casted sort of thing) and looked clear. The latter one were about half price the natural one. The lady said that the clear one usually work better for readings. Is that so? Any recommendation as to size, color, etc? Alain #: 61699 S6/Tarot & Divination 11-Jul-95 20:04:25 Sb: #61633-Crystall balls Fm: Michele 75131,2106 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, I recently read a good book on Crystal Scrying and it said that some cloudiness or occlusion was O.K. and in fact helped to focus. It also recommended quartz or other stones )obsidian) as being superior to glass, but other books have said that glass works just as well. It is certainly cheaper! I also read that 2.5" is about the smallest you should get. I started to by a ball myself, but the prices for natural crystal scared me away. I kept thinking about how many Tarot decks I could get for the same amount of money. Michele #: 61742 S6/Tarot & Divination 11-Jul-95 20:48:04 Sb: #61699-#Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Michele 75131,2106 (X) >> I recently read a good book on Crystal Scrying and it said that some cloudiness or occlusion was O.K. and in fact helped to focus. << How much is some? I have seen some that were almost all translucent and some others who only had minimal sections of translucense. So I guess that means it would rule out the opaque pink quartz one? >> It also recommended quartz or other stones )obsidian) as being superior to glass, but other books have said that glass works just as well. << Hmmm... so looking at the more restrictive set, the opaque pink quartz would do well then as obsidian is also opaque. >> I also read that 2.5" is about the smallest you should get. << OK. Very good start! That rules out all the tiny (also el cheapo!) one inch balls! >> but the prices for natural crystal scared me away. << Well, here's s sample of some prices that I've seen. 2.5" clear man-made crystal ball: $CDN 98, 2" natural crystal with some cloudiness: $CDN 150, 2.5" natural crystal with quite a lot of cloudiness/clivage: $CDN 175, 4" opaque pink crystal ball: $CDN 135, 6" opaque pink crystal ball: about $CDN 250. And they had a BIG one which was opaque pink (I think) for $CDN 1,300. Then of course, the stand is sold separately. Some were just ring-like (starting around $3) and some were sort of tripod (up to $98) with some lion faces touching the ball at three points. Would those affect the energy pattern of the ball? I.e. would the ring ones be more objective for scrying? >>I kept thinking about how many Tarot decks I could get for the same amount of money. << She already has some tarots! And a pendulum! Alain #: 61913 S6/Tarot & Divination 12-Jul-95 03:50:18 Sb: #61742-Crystall balls Fm: Ann/Silverhawk 76413,2114 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, I have a natural crystal ball with some clouding. It's smaller than recommended but not much, about 2" diameter. I can feel a lot of energy when I hold it, and I love it. It was originally priced $25, and I got it on sale for $19. This was about 2 years ago. Hope that helps. -Ann/Silverhawk #: 62057 S6/Tarot & Divination 12-Jul-95 13:35:22 Sb: #61913-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Ann/Silverhawk 76413,2114 (X) >> on sale for $19. This was about 2 years ago. Hope that helps. << Gee! Now, I feel that I am going to get ripped off! Alain #: 61710 S6/Tarot & Divination 11-Jul-95 20:11:07 Sb: #61633-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, As usual I'm butting in where I have no business, as I don't scry crystal balls *at all* - but in working with crystals in general...I'm betting that your sister's crystal ball will "find her" if she looks. Just my opinion, Shelle #: 61741 S6/Tarot & Divination 11-Jul-95 20:48:30 Sb: #61710-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 (X) >> but in working with crystals in general...I'm betting that your sister's crystal ball will "find her" if she looks. << Well, she lives in the boonies sort of things so I have more variety around here than where she lives. I offered to buy her one before to visit her at the end of the month. She relies on me as I told her that I'd get plenty of advice here! >>As usual I'm butting in where I have no business<< No problem! The message was to everyone and of course, any public message means that any one can comment. Alain #: 62157 S6/Tarot & Divination 12-Jul-95 18:50:27 Sb: #61741-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, What a great brother! Happy hunting, and let us know what you find. I'd like to hear what she gets and how it works out for her. I have a fluorite ball that exudes a lot of energy - it literally gets hot to the touch, but being pretty dark green I've never tried scrying with it before. Shelle #: 62381 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 02:21:21 Sb: #62157-#Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 >> What a great brother! << She's a great sister too! She's got me a limited print copy of an interpretation of Nostradamus prediction by a French who lives in Quebec. (in French of course!) He goes through the meaning of old French and some historical background and figures out what things are likely intended to mean. >> I'd like to hear what she gets and how it works out for her. << She will also get some training from that fortune teller. She says that it is all in the prayers that she says to herself while scrying the ball and her guardian angel. Does not sound like traditional scrying to me! Maybe it is a version which became to use prayers to avoid being condemned by the Church for doing Divinitations. But I am sure that she'll do good. She has good psychic abilities/intuitions. >>fluorite ball that exudes a lot of energy - it literally gets hot to the touch<< What do you do with it for that to happen? Maybe it is a rock that is quite reflective of infrared rays from your hand. Alain #: 62454 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 09:33:22 Sb: #62381-Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) 93 Alain, >> She will also get some training from that fortune teller. She says that it is all in the prayers that she says to herself while scrying the ball and her guardian angel. Does not sound like traditional scrying to me! Maybe it is a version which became to use prayers to avoid being condemned by the Church for doing Divinitations. << Actually, the concept the HGA (Holy Guardian Angel) is quite strong in the Western Magyqal Tradition. In many of these systems (the Golden Dawn tradition being the best known), the first part of the Great Work consists in obtaining the Knowledge of Conversation of the Holy Guardian Angel. It is thru the HGA, that most "magyqal' things happen. 21 OMNI Jeff #: 62479 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 11:57:24 Sb: #62454-#Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 (X) >> the concept the HGA (Holy Guardian Angel) is quite strong in the Western Magyqal Tradition. << SO how many different traditions are there? Alain #: 62527 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 14:20:17 Sb: #62479-Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, <> Sorry, never took a census . In one sense there are as man traditions as there are people, as we all tend to see things in subtly different lights. The tradition to which I referred with the HGA is the Qabalistyq western tradition. In the east, which unfortunately I have not had the time to study at length, you may met with something else. But, when you strip away the words it may very well have the same "core". Thus, one may make a case that the "core" of many different esoteric traditions is the same. The only point I was making is that the idea of a Guardian Angel is not the sole prerogative of the Christian Church. It's there in many different traditions, some, like magyq, the church casts aspersions upon. 21 OMNI Jeff #: 62514 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 13:55:16 Sb: #62381-#Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, >>> >>fluorite ball that exudes a lot of energy - it literally gets hot to the touch<< What do you do with it for that to happen? Maybe it is a rock that is quite reflective of infrared rays from your hand.<<< That could be, except it only happens in meditative states - I tried to show a friend by just holding it for a little while and it was as cool as ever. When I hold it in meditation, however, it just heats right up - even when I have it sitting near me when I'm working with my guides it heats all on its own. I haven't quite figured out if this is meant for something besides awe and wonder on my part - I guess it could just be soaking in some of the energy of my guides (they hang around when I'm in meditation and not trying to contact them too) - or it could be an accumulation of energy gathered there for a reason I'm not aware of yet - if I hold it to my third eye after it becomes warm/hot it seems to help open me up psychically. Shelle #: 62587 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 16:37:26 Sb: #62514-Crystall balls Fm: Silver Hawk 76413,2114 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 I've had my clear quartz crystal ball heat up on me, too, when I'm specifically sending energy through it. I might have thought it was because I was holding it, but it was much hotter than my hand, and held the heat for some time. -Silver Hawk #: 62721 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 22:01:22 Sb: #62587-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Silver Hawk 76413,2114 Silver Hawk, Yes - I know - I had a hard time believing it was my hot little hands - especially when I hadn't touched it yet! Shelle #: 62913 S6/Tarot & Divination 14-Jul-95 08:32:28 Sb: #62587-Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Silver Hawk 76413,2114 93 Silver Hawk, >> I've had my clear quartz crystal ball heat up on me, too, when I'm specifically sending energy through it. I might have thought it was because I was holding it, but it was much hotter than my hand, and held the heat for some time. << Yes, I have noticed this as well. I also have a lapis lazuli ball that I keep with me always. When I hold if for a while it heats up as well. The hand that was holding it doesn't notice it, but when I swtich hands I notice it immediately. I don't know if the stone absorps the body temperature and then somehow reflects it back or if something else is going on. But you're right, it does seem to be warmer than the normal body temperature. At this point, I'm inclined to belief it is just simply absoping the body heat and then reflecting it back out somehow. 21 OMNI Jeff #: 63688 S6/Tarot & Divination 16-Jul-95 16:08:14 Sb: #62913-Crystall balls Fm: Sandra L. Daine 76655,3565 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 Hi Jeff (and others who might have an interest), >>I also have a lapis lazuli ball that I keep with me always.<< I am collecting information for an essay on crystals that may become a column eventually. I would love to hear what the lapis sphere means to you or anything about your experiences with it, if you wouldn't mind sharing that information. Thanks, Sandi #: 64046 S6/Tarot & Divination 17-Jul-95 09:29:17 Sb: #63688-#Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Sandra L. Daine 76655,3565 (X) 93 Sandi, >> I would love to hear what the lapis sphere means to you or anything about your experiences with it, if you wouldn't mind sharing that information. << I bought the lapis lazuli ball at a gem show about 6 months ago. Cyndi and I were just starting to get interested in crystals at that time. It is the same show in which I bought the quartz crystal pyramids that are now clouding up. I was attracted to the lapis stone right away. When you look at it, it immediately reminds you of Earth, looking down from a celestial reference point. It's blue surface reminds me of the great bodies of water. There are many white streaks in it that look like cloud cover. There are brown "impurities" in it that look like the continents. And it is studded throughout with pyrite that looks like stars. I bought it exactly because it evoked these thoughts in me. Sure, I could have bought a "purer" lapis, but it was the mix of the different minerals in that give it its character. I now keep the lapis ball with almost all the time and have had a few interesting experiences with it in ritual. Somehow, the little ball and I have bonded. It feels good to hold it, even when the thing flew out of my hands at a sudden stop and cracked the windshield last week. My first thought was not of the windshield, but whether the lapis ball was okay. Interestingly, the impact created a 22 point star on the windshield. Unfortunately, the rays of the star are starting to grow. Afraid we'll have to replace the windshield before too long. I noticed something very interesting at the gem show where I bought the lapis ball. After a bit of time, I started getting light headed and a little queasy in the stomach. I put this down at first to simple hunger pangs. However, when we went back the second day, I felt a similar effect. Whenever I go into a gem store I have similar, though less extreme feelings. I would guess this is a sensitivity to the vibrations of the crystals. 21 OMNI Jeff #: 64149 S6/Tarot & Divination 17-Jul-95 15:59:24 Sb: #64046-Crystall balls Fm: Ceridwen 74637,771 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 (X) Jeff, I have had a similar experience of ill feelings around (a particular piece of) stone jewelry. It's a bracelet I got recently, four tigereye cylinders, slightly curved to fit wrist contours, and joined with metal joiners that latch onto the ends of the stones instead of threading through (after all, how can you drill through a curved piece?). I put it on right away, and wore it all evening. And, sometime after putting it on, I began to feel queasy and ill in general. (A strange thought struck me about the past nature of the bracelet, but that may have been a fantasy wish for a romantic thread to the piece. Anyway...) I thought it was the dreaded Something-going- around that was and is going around. But, I usually get a weak or tired feeling before the onset of even a cold, and didn't get it this time. I thought about it, fought sleep til after hubby and kids were in bed, and dedicated the bracelet. I was fine the next day. I dearly love this bracelet. It's unique, it's beautiful, and it's stuck on my arm now since the pinch-clasp's head broke off. Yes, I can get it off if I work at it, but I don't want to. Your lapis lazuli ball sounds *fabulous*. Can you scry in an opaque object? Ceridwen. #: 64562 S6/Tarot & Divination 18-Jul-95 08:39:01 Sb: #64149-Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Ceridwen 74637,771 (X) 93 Ceridwen, >> I have had a similar experience of ill feelings around (a particular piece of) stone jewelry. << I wouldn't call what I experienced (and still do, but to a lesser degree) ill or negative. Rather, I think it was kind of an explosion of energy. I had just opened myself up to looking at crystals at the time and hence I think I was hyper-sensitive to their vibrations. Now, I still have many of the same feelings, but to a lesser degree. I think I've learned to handle the energy better. As for the Tiger's Eye, it's truly a neat stone. I don't have my reference books here so I can't go into to it, but I've looked it up since I have a Tiger's Eye in my college ring. Selecting that was kind of funny. There were all kinds of stones to chose from and I was somewhat bewildered. Suddenly, the Tiger's Eye just reached out and grabbed me. If you want, I can look up the Tiger's Eye when I get home tonight. Perhaps all you're feeling right now in the new energy from the stones. You also may want to perform some form of ritual cleansing and purification of the bracelet and then bond with it. If you don't want to take it off, perhaps meander down to a nice stream and stick your arm in the running water and meditate. As far as scrying goes, I'm hardly an expert or an oracle. But yes, I think you can scry with an opaque stone. From what I've gathered of the scrying process, it's related to self-hypnosis. Staring at the crystal or stone focuses the eye and the mind. This, plus the energy from the stone, puts the scrier into a heightened "state". In this state, the scrier then receives the visions. They may appear projected upon the crystal or stone, but I think they are really in the "mind's eye", the product of the third eye if you will. 21 OMNI Jeff #: 64791 S6/Tarot & Divination 18-Jul-95 22:50:18 Sb: #64562-Crystall balls Fm: Ceridwen 74637,771 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 Jeff, Perhaps you're right about the sensitivity thing. I have never felt quite like that, a little nauseous, a little... odd. Before the clasp broke, I did a cleansing of the bracelet, and have had no ill or odd effects since. I've rarely had real stones in my jewelry before, so I don't have a lot of past experience to draw from. I would appreciate any information on Tiger-eye. It's a beautiful stone, and cut in longish cylinders like this, the inner fire moves all over on the stone. I'm interested in scrying. Right now, I'm on the outside looking in, but have been following this thread and learning. Thanks for your reply. Ceridwen. #: 64885 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 00:06:11 Sb: #64149-Crystall balls Fm: Bella 73672,1433 To: Ceridwen 74637,771 (X) Hi Ceridwen, Tiger's and Cat's eyes stones always remind of large feline cats and they have very stong medicine. Maybe you were just wrestling for a little while with a large cat's medicine and then came to accept it into yourself I know this may sound a little silly, but it was the first thing I though of when I read your description, 2 Tigers looking out at you, seeing if they were wiling to be attached to you. Fondest Regards, --Bella-- #: 65367 S6/Tarot & Divination 20-Jul-95 00:35:16 Sb: #64885-Crystall balls Fm: Ceridwen 74637,771 To: Bella 73672,1433 Bella, Those tigers might have resented me. I was their second or subsequent owner, finding them in the dark jewelry counter, made of wood, at the local thrift store. I almost missed them, since they are dark wood tones and the case is dark wood and poorly lit. They had just come in, and were probably missing their last mistress (pet? Cats are notorious for being the masters in relationships) dearly. Ceridwen. #: 65051 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 10:52:05 Sb: #64149-Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Ceridwen 74637,771 (X) Dear Ceridwen, I have looked up the Tiger Eye stone in LOVE IS IN THE EARTH, a book with reference to about any kind of mineral, crystal etc. you can imagine. The authors name is Melody. We found ours at a cyrstal and gem show here in Maryland. I will quote her in reference to your Tiger Eye bracelet, which, by the way, sounds like a very beautiful piece. Now that the clasp is not functioning, it is almost as if it has connected itself to you! Anyway, here goes. The fibers in the stone reflect light, making it appear to glow. "This mineral brings together the vibrations of sand and sunlight, synthesizing the energies of the Sun and the Earth. It combines sharpness and grounding, and is quite practical in its sphere of concern. It resonates to the frequencies of the Earth, encouraging stability with dynamic beauty. The vibration is conducive to peacefulness and stimulates the actions equired to advance the encounters with others during the meditative state. It is helpful for individuals seeking clarity and for those who must deal intelligently with the scattered details which must be brought together into some pattern. It can be used to enhance the psycic abilities and can assist in the gentle attunement of thrid-eye activity - this stone being best adapted to "earthy people". At the base chakra, it can help to dicipline sexual and emotional life, bringing life, bringing "light" to instances where one must be practical. It contains a solar energy which helps with those psychic processes which involve the solar plexus chakra - promoting intuitive impressions. Tiger eye can help one to become practical and of discrete mind, as well as more grounded. It can elimate the "blues" and can bring lightness and optimism to the user. It also assists in providing insight to those issues which induce internal mental battles, delivering one from the "horns of dilemma" and the conflicts associated with the willful pride. It further prompts the admiration for the pure and beautiful, allowing ones life, and ones passion for life, to open and to blossom. It provides for balancing of the yin-yang energy. It further assists in the integration and balancing of both hemispheres of the brain, bringing awareness to perception. It can help prepare the systems of the body for the approach of enthusiasm for flowing with "the river of humanity" towad the "one". It further acts to attune one to the connectedness of the brothers and sisters of the planet, releasing introversion and fear, while promoting experiences which are fresh and new. It tends to bring awareness to ones personal needs as well as the need of others, stimulating understanding with respect to disparity between the pleasure of "wishing" and the act of "having". It has been used to stimulate wealth and to enhance the stability required to maintain wealth. It produces soothing vibrations, generating a calmness to unsettled turmiol, and allowing one to enjoy the actions of being unfenced and uninhibited. It has been used in the treatment of disorders of the eye, the throat, the reproductive system, and diverticular constrictions, and to aid in night vision. It can also be used to strengthen the alignment of the spinal colum and to facilitate the mending of broken bones. Vibrates to the number 4. Astrological Sign of Capricorn." As quoted from LOVE IS IN THE EARTH p.p. 645-647 I hope the above information is helpful to you. Take care, and wear your bracelet in good health. Sincerely, Cyndi #: 65368 S6/Tarot & Divination 20-Jul-95 00:35:18 Sb: #65051-Crystall balls Fm: Ceridwen 74637,771 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 (X) Jeff and Cyndi, Quite a post! I have some thumbnail sketches on Tiger-eye, but this sounds like a real novel! Thank you! And yes, it seems better, actually, now that the clasp has broken off and the chain has come up missing. Somehow, I don't worry about losing it a lot. BTW, do you think that someone might be able to scry in a tiger-eye, or would the shimmer throw you off? Ceridwen. #: 65888 S6/Tarot & Divination 21-Jul-95 08:05:10 Sb: #65368-Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Ceridwen 74637,771 (X) 93 Ceridwen, >> BTW, do you think that someone might be able to scry in a tiger-eye, or would the shimmer throw you off? << There are folks here on this thread that are far better able to answer your question than I. However, I do think you could scry with a tiger-eye. I think the key to using any stone to scry is your bonding and relationship with the stone. For I believe the stone is a conduit to allow your 3rd eye to operate more effectively. I think it does this at least two ways. It gives the "normal" two eyes something focus on and occupy the conscious part of the mind. This allows the 3rd eye to open and make direct contact with the bicameral (I really don't want to say subconscious, because while the bicameral mind is similar, it is more and different. It is perhaps the area of the mind governed by the right hemisphere of the brain. The more intuitive aspect of the mind that perhaps speaks more directly to the Divine within) and allow that portion of the mind to project. The stone also gives off vibrational energy. Since each stone has a different vibration, perhaps you may want to have several scrying stones to use depending upon your intent for the scrying session. Now I realize that may go against conventional wisdom, but it is something to ponder and chew on. If the vibrational energy of the stone is important, and different stones have different vibrational rates, one could conclude that some stones are better suited for various types of scrying than others. 21 OMNI Jeff #: 65536 S6/Tarot & Divination 20-Jul-95 12:27:23 Sb: #65051-Crystall balls Fm: Summer/WomenSpirit 74072,2567 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 (X) Cindi, >> LOVE IS IN THE EARTH, a book with reference to about any kind of mineral, crystal etc. you can imagine. The authors name is Melody<< I agree that this book is the greatest, a must for anyone who is at all interested in crystals. Summer #: 64223 S6/Tarot & Divination 17-Jul-95 18:37:19 Sb: #64046-Crystall balls Fm: Sandra L. Daine 76655,3565 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 (X) Hi Jeff, >>When you look at (the lapis sphere), it immediately reminds you of Earth<< Thanks for the reply. I bought mine a couple of weeks ago at a gem show in Mass. and was attracted to it for much the same reason you were to yours. I have a few other lapis pieces but no sphere. I do have other spheres...cyrstal, sodalite, amethyst, ametrine, obsidian etc... so my lapis has lots of company now! Sorry about your windshield, wonder what significance that might have for you!! >>Whenever I go into a gem store I have similar, though less extreme feelings. I would guess this is a sensitivity to the vibrations of the crystals.<< Sounds like you do have quite a sensitivity. I notice a lightness and just a general good-all-over feeling when I go to a show, but nothing quite as strong as what you've felt. Thanks again, and happy crystal (and windshield!) hunting. Sandi #: 61821 S6/Tarot & Divination 11-Jul-95 23:27:00 Sb: #61633-Crystall balls Fm: Bella 73672,1433 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Hi Alain, I'm agreeing with Shelle, what your siter likes is probably more important than if the ball is rose quartz or glass. I have a glass ball, it was a gift. I wish I had a quartz one, a smoky coloured one, but my glass one works fine. If I may, a great book about cyrstal balls and bowls and how to scry with them is 'Crystal Balls and Crystal Bowls by Ted Andrews" He gives good reasons for prefering quartz over other materials and tells the differances between Amethyst, Malachite, Obsidian, Rose Quartz and Clear Quartz balls. He of course is a very advanced user of these tools and has a very impressive collection of which there are pictures. I can say I was given a small amethyst crystal recently(not a ball though) and it has a very positve and recharging kind of energy to it. Good Luck and let us know what kind of ball she ends up with and how she likes it. Fondest Regards, --Bella-- #: 62058 S6/Tarot & Divination 12-Jul-95 13:35:26 Sb: #61821-#Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Bella 73672,1433 (X) >> what your siter likes is probably more important than if the ball is rose quartz or glass. << Yes, I was thinking about that. I guess most people have that unconscious belief that it has to have transparency to be a "crystall ball" so that rules out the opaque pink ones. That at least narrows down the choice! >> a great book about cyrstal balls and bowls and how to scry with them is 'Crystal Balls and Crystal Bowls by Ted Andrews" He gives good reasons for prefering quartz over other materials and tells the differances between Amethyst, Malachite, Obsidian, Rose Quartz and Clear Quartz balls. << Thanks for the reference! My sister can read some English but it would take her a while to labor through it! I'll try to find that book too. I hope it is well illustrated. >> I can say I was given a small amethyst crystal recently(not a ball though) and it has a very positve and recharging kind of energy to it. << She also says that you need to let it dip in salt water for at least 24 hours in order to wash out any foreign energies acquired by all the people touching it before at the store. Ever heard of that thing? I also have a tape that is supposed to revitalize/energyze crystals. (You put the speaker horizontally and put the crystal on it). Would that work also on the ball, you think? Incidently, when inside that store, I was browsing for some other stuff and I came upon some books by Ouspenski (very HEAVY reading!). I pulled one book out and saw something moving... Looked like a toy-like bat and I thought to myself, how cute! They want to put some esoteric ambiance to the store! Well, looking closer and proding some more, it was a real bat! Told one of the assistant there, and he said "what bat?". I showed it to him and they proceeded to get it out harmlessly. It was their first bat ever in the store. How about that! Alain #: 62181 S6/Tarot & Divination 12-Jul-95 19:34:23 Sb: #62058-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, >>>She also says that you need to let it dip in salt water for at least 24 hours in order to wash out any foreign energies acquired by all the people touching it before at the store. Ever heard of that thing?<<< To cleanse my crystals I leave them soaking in a glass of salt water in the sun. To help to energize them, I sometimes put them out to soak up the moon's rays. I've not read much about that one, but someone told me crystals receive more energy from the moon, and it seems to give them a boost! >>> I showed it to him and they proceeded to get it out harmlessly. It was their first bat ever in the store. How about that!<<< You and Gwen! Did you read her bat story 2-4 weeks ago? Shelle #: 62379 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 02:21:16 Sb: #62181-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 >> Did you read her bat story 2-4 weeks ago? << No, I missed it. >> To help to energize them, I sometimes put them out to soak up the moon's rays. I've not read much about that one, but someone told me crystals receive more energy from the moon, and it seems to give them a boost! << Wow! That's a weird one! As to the sun rays, how long does it have to be? (There is no sun 24 hours a day! ... unless you're north of the polar circle!) Alain #: 62513 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 13:55:11 Sb: #62379-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Alain, >>>As to the sun rays, how long does it have to be? (There is no sun 24 hours a day! ... unless you're north of the polar circle!)<<< It's my understanding that it is the ultraviolet rays that cleanse it in the salt water. Ultraviolet rays are emitted by both the sun and moon. Crystals are basically born in water, and returning them to salt water acts like returning them to their embryonic fluid...I think I read this in "Crystal Healing Secrets" by Brett Bravo. You can also rinse them with clear water or mountain water, or cleanse them in the smoke of burning sage, or bury them in the earth or a pot of soil to isolate it and rejuvenate it with the earth's vibrations. Like crystals themselves, it's sort of personal, and whatever works for you! Shelle #: 62758 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 23:02:06 Sb: #62058-Crystall balls Fm: Bella 73672,1433 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Hi Alain, Yes, salt water works well for cleansing and reenergising crystals, as well as sun and moon light and smudging. Bats! Yuck! I must admit to being terrified of them. I know they are very helpful in the ecosystem, but I can't seem to get over the fear. I'm glad it wasn't me how found the bat in the Ouspensy books. I wonder if that says something about his books? I do have one Tarot book of his I liked, even though as you said, heavy! Good luck with your search. We'll all be anxious to know what kind of crystal ball you finally pick for her and if we can rent you out as our brother Fondest Regards, --Bella-- #: 62771 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 23:50:00 Sb: #62758-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Bella 73672,1433 >> as well as sun and moon light and smudging. << What's smudging? >> I'm glad it wasn't me how found the bat in the Ouspensy books. << No, it was on top of them! >> I do have one Tarot book of hi << I did not know he wrote about tarot too. >> Good luck with your search. We'll all be anxious to know what kind of crystal ball you finally pick for her and if we can rent you out as our brother << There were two of acceptable size there and one was a bit less occluded than the other. I think that will be the one that I will get her. ($150 + tax though! Outch!) About the brother bit, it's already quite expensive to be the "rich uncle" for the niece and nephew of my brother! The bats are ugly but I think I'd prefer them to snakes though! Alain #: 64886 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 00:06:26 Sb: #62771-#Crystall balls Fm: Bella 73672,1433 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Hi Alain, >>What's smudging?<< This is were you light on fire some fragrant herbs or incense and then let it smolder, the smoke is very cleansing. it is done a lot in rituals. You can buy smuding sticks or wands, made of sage and other fragrant herbs. The are neatly tied and smolder well and you can hold them and wave them around(it's fun) quite saftely. They are quite strong smelling, so you might want ot do it outside if you ever try it. It seems like L.D, has brought up that salt water is not good for crystals. He seems to be quite knowledgable about this so please take his word on it, I'n quite new to crystals(except for my crystal ball) and I only recently tried to cleanse it(using salt water! oh dear!) So, I'll patiently wait till our days get longer so I can try some moonbeams. >>The bats are ugly but I think I'd prefer them to snakes though! << I guess each person has their own likes and dislikes for animals, I rather like snakes, especially when they shed their skins, such a sign of renewal and growth. I'm trying to convince myself to sorta like bats, but I tried to watch a lady on TV holding one and nearly got sick. It's awful to have these stupid phobias, I wonder how they start? Fondest Regards, --Bella-- #: 65020 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 09:45:21 Sb: #64886-Crystall balls Fm: Summer/WomenSpirit 74072,2567 To: Bella 73672,1433 Hi, I just wanted to mention that sweetgrass has a much lighter smell (though some might mistake the fragrance for a popular illegal substance so be careful where you use it, like probably not at work ). Copal which is a resin has a light clean smell to it. You need to put it on one of those little charcoals that is burning and it will smoulder nicely. Also rosemary is very cleansing as a fragrance in a potpourri or such. No smoke at all in this one and yet it feels quite cleansing. I wonder if one could dip the crystal in water with rosemary? Actually running water over it while thinking cleansing thoughts is probably the best. You can feel what it is clean and clear. Its really the thought that counts. Just some things to try. Summer #: 65730 S6/Tarot & Divination 20-Jul-95 22:06:05 Sb: #65020-Crystall balls Fm: Bella 73672,1433 To: Summer/WomenSpirit 74072,2567 (X) Hi Summer, Thanks for the info, I've only smudged a couple of times and the wands were given to me. They do sell sweetgrass wands here, so I may have to try one out. I agree that the idea of running water and intent sounds just fine. I wish we had some fast running streams here. I'm sorta of loath to put them under the tap and run all the water with chemicals over them. It seems so unspecial for something I treasure. Still looking for loons here, but they are really hard to find close to town. Fondest Regards, --Bella-- #: 65094 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 14:12:23 Sb: #64886-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Bella 73672,1433 >> It's awful to have these stupid phobias, I wonder how they start? << Supposedly they get engrained in you by the age of 2 or 3. Same thing for food: if you grow up to learn that you can eat grasshoppers (like the one at the bottom of tequila bottles), you won't have an aversion to them. But if, like us in western world, grow up that it is dirty food, you'll lose your appetite just hearing about people doing such things. Must be the same thing for phobias. >> It seems like L.D, has brought up that salt water is not good for crystals. He seems to be quite knowledgable about this so please take his word on it, I'n quite new to crystals(except for my crystal ball) and I only recently tried to cleanse it(using salt water! oh dear!) So, I'll patiently wait till our days get longer so I can try some moonbeams. << Yes, sounds like L.D. is very knowledgeable in that field. Let us know if you notice differences after moonbeams! Alain #: 65580 S6/Tarot & Divination 20-Jul-95 14:08:00 Sb: #62758-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Bella 73672,1433 >> We'll all be anxious to know what kind of crystal ball you finally pick for her and if we can rent you out as our brother << Well, I just picked up her ball today. It's 2" 5/16+ and weight 300 grams. Paid $130 for it (+tax of course!). It is mostly transparent with some sort of linear "bubble trails" through it if I can express it that way. Has a major clivage about 1/3 of the ball but it does not reach the sides. Also 3 minor clivages about 3/4" apart along the surface of the ball. Those form small ridges/cracks at the surface of the ball. They are concentrated to one half of the ball though. There were some that were mostly transparent but had some nicks at the surface. Some others had major clivages almost all the way through and I was afraid that any thermal shock (like when she would dip it in water) would one day split the ball in half. One had a nice discoloration near a clivage but it would have been smaller and had some nicks at the surface too (like some chip of quartz flew off). Another one was OK except for a little depression (1/4" diam) which looked like it got hit by something and grinded some quartz away. So, it was sort of some trade off! Took me a good 15-20 minutes to make up my mind! I also bought her the book "Crystal Ball and Crystal Bowl" and a transparent circular stand made of glass about 1.5" diameter. The part that holds the ball is about "1 diameter. So that's about all I can say about it. Is it ever hard to describe a quartz ball! Alain #: 62106 S6/Tarot & Divination 12-Jul-95 16:30:08 Sb: #61633-#Crystall balls Fm: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Hi Alain, I paid about $25 for my crystal ball 2" in dia. It has some cloudiness, which I believe is a benefit. You'll see things in the clouds. It came on a stand which is a wooden cube about 2.5". Two opposite corners are trimmed and hollowed, so the cube stands on end and the crystall ball balances in the hole going thru the cube. There are several ways of clearing a crystal including bathing in salt water (sea salt preferred), placing in running water (clear mountain stream preferred), incense, etc. I prefer to bath my crystals in the sunlight. Scott Cunningham's Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic is an easy reading book - 200 pp available from LLewellyn. Since I have had my crystal ball 3 or 4 years, its chips and cracks have reduced in size; a common occurrence if you're in tune with your crystals. Pete #: 62182 S6/Tarot & Divination 12-Jul-95 19:34:27 Sb: #62106-#Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 Pete, >>>Since I have had my crystal ball 3 or 4 years, its chips and cracks have reduced in size; a common occurrence if you're in tune with your crystals.<<< I read recently that crystals will change and in appearance also - become cloudy, clear, get new inclusions, etc. I personally have not experienced this, and was just wondering if you had. Shelle #: 62344 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 00:30:20 Sb: #62182-Crystall balls Fm: Silver Hawk 76413,2114 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 >>>>>Since I have had my crystal ball 3 or 4 years, its chips and cracks have reduced in size; a common occurrence if you're in tune with your crystals.<<< I read recently that crystals will change and in appearance also - become cloudy, clear, get new inclusions, etc. I personally have not experienced this, and was just wondering if you had.<< This is really interesting! I've had my crystal ball for 2 or 3 years, and I don't see anything in it, but if I hold it when I meditate or read Tarot, it adds energy and power. Just yesterday, I had it out and was thinking that it looked clearer than I remembered. Then I saw this post. Amazing! Silver Hawk #: 62455 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 09:33:27 Sb: #62182-Crystall balls Fm: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 93 Shelle, >> I read recently that crystals will change and in appearance also - become cloudy, clear, get new inclusions, etc. I personally have not experienced this, and was just wondering if you had. << Cyndi and I purchased three crystals together about 4 months ago. (Actually a few more, but we view these 3 as a 'set'). Two are quartz crystals carved into pyramids. The third is a rutile smoky quartz that's just a large chuck. When we bought them, all three were clear, and have few occlusions. Over time they've clouded up and developed occlusions. Been interesting for sure. We've been pondering the meaning of it. 21 OMNI Jeff #: 62515 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 13:55:20 Sb: #62455-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: Jeff M/Ass't Lib 73763,1163 (X) Hi Jeff! >>> Two are quartz crystals carved into pyramids.<<< Ohhhhh! How powerful! >>> When we bought them, all three were clear, and have few occlusions. Over time they've clouded up and developed occulusions. Been interesting for sure. We've been pondering the meaning of it.<<< That's really interesting! How do they feel - do they feel like they need to be cleansed? I wonder if it could be a build up of your energies somehow...or if they are simply growing with you. Do they seem to give off a different vibration now? Hmmmm. I'd be interested to know if they continue to change or if anyone knows what this means exactly. B*B Shelle #: 62484 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 12:11:21 Sb: #62182-Crystall balls Fm: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 (X) Hi Shelle, >I read recently that crystals will change and in appearance also - become cloudy, clear, get new inclusions, etc. I personally have not experienced this, and was just wondering if you had.< I haven't noticed any change in the cloudiness. There is a red impurity that apprears to be growing. Also there are some gray/black impurities, but I can't say if they have changed in size. Pete #: 62538 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 14:45:21 Sb: #62182-Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 >I read recently that crystals will change and in appearance also - become cloudy, clear, get new inclusions, etc. I personally have not experienced this, and was just wondering if you had.< Hi Shelle, these things mostly happen because of the care rendered to the specimen involved. Breaking and cracking and fading meaning your screwing the poor thing up. And brightening of shine and color, etc. means you are doing it right. My kid can brighten a dead amethyst up in minutes until you'd not believe it was the same piece of moments before. Although cracking usually means improper care, some minerals crack with a major healing or magickal exercise being sent through the specimen... thus it 'dies' for a good cause. LD #: 62723 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 22:02:01 Sb: #62538-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 LD-- thanks for the info! What about cloudiness? Is that improper care too? Also - my green fluorite ball - even though it is dark in color, I can still see through it some - would that be acceptable for scrying? I've never tried - thought it had to be lighter, but this has got me very interested. Plus, it seems to have such an immense energy... Thanks again! Shelle #: 62380 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 02:21:19 Sb: #62106-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 (X) >> Since I have had my crystal ball 3 or 4 years, its chips and cracks have reduced in size; a common occurrence if you're in tune with your crystals. << COMMON occurence? BTW, she was telling me that her fortune teller stopped scrying with her ball when one of her customer had good medium abilities and saw her daughter in a wheelchair (at the same time as she did) and brushed the ball away from the table. As a result, the ball has a 1/4 " gash/grove in it and she considers it useless from now on because of that. What do you think? >> It has some cloudiness, which I believe is a benefit. You'll see things in the clouds. << OK, so it helps if you have some of that too. But I guess the ball must not be too cloudy either. Right? Alain #: 62485 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 12:11:24 Sb: #62380-Crystall balls Fm: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Hi Alain, >BTW, she was telling me that her fortune teller stopped scrying with her ball when one of her customer had good medium abilities and saw her daughter in a wheelchair (at the same time as she did) and brushed the ball away from the table. As a result, the ball has a 1/4 " gash/grove in it and she considers it useless from now on because of that. What do you think?< She should still be in tune with her crystal ball. I'm not sure where this is coming from: She should hold the crystal ball with a loving touch. It has had a trauma and needs to know that she's its owner, its custodian. Holding can be done during meditation or during sleep. >> It has some cloudiness, which I believe is a benefit. You'll see things in the clouds. << >OK, so it helps if you have some of that too. But I guess the ball must not be too cloudy either. Right?< Right, you want to be able to look into the crystal ball. Personally I would like to be able to see thru it even tho some clouds will be in the way, but it may be you only need to be able to see to the center. Pete #: 62628 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 18:30:04 Sb: #62485-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 >> but it may be you only need to be able to see to the center. << Must be some personal preference though. After all, why would they sell completely opaque pink crystal ball then? Alain #: 62986 S6/Tarot & Divination 14-Jul-95 14:00:26 Sb: #62928-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 >> Apparently some people like completely opaque crystal ball. And that's their preference. << I see. Must be a minority then? Alain #: 63336 S6/Tarot & Divination 15-Jul-95 14:51:17 Sb: #62986-Crystall balls Fm: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Hi Alain, >> Apparently some people like completely opaque crystal ball. And that's their preference. << >I see. Must be a minority then?< I used the word "some" to mean at least one. If "some" becomes a large enough number it will be a majority. Pete #: 62537 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 14:45:19 Sb: #61633-Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) Dear Alain, Scrying has been done for thousands of years with whatever has been found handy at the time... poolished steel, lead droplets, mirrors, quicksilver, ink spots, fishing floats, smoke, spit, and just all kinds of stuff. One just goes with whatever Self says to use. So actually Sis doesn't HAVE to have a crystal ball just because the pop-books says she does. After all, it's only a tool. What IS important is the ability to still Conscious Mind and Physical Input to ALLOW the connection to PSYCHIC MIND. I usually don't involve myself in the crystals discussions because I do not go along with the majority of the books out, said books just copying the crap others hve written or elaborated on same. However I feel compelled to involve myself to endeaver to answer your questions. So... lucite SPHERES won't work. Glass works but you need the air bubbles for focus and glass has no natural energy of its own, nor will it hold a charge from you. You can usually buy 'flawed' spheres at a cheaper price because most people believe it has to be 'perfect' to work. Although clear quartz crystal is usually thought of when speaking of 'crystal balls' you already know there are many minerals that will grind to a sphere and are sold. Any will work, depending on that sphere's comehither to the person who will be using it, each will lend its individual energy to the person. Obsidian scrying mirrors are quite popular for instance, too bad most are NOT obsidian but glass... work the same but the price 'reflects' too pricey an item. Whatever you use, it has to have a reflection or focus point, whether it be internal or on the external surfacing. The eyes find that focus, slowly the optic nerves in each eye stop sendind or transmitting external stimulus to the brain. When this happens the optic nerves will slowly start to respond to the reflex action which will come from the brain to the scryer's eye and Psychic Mind awakens. At this point you have INTERNAL impressions being projected EXTERNALLY which is how the scrier 'sees' things which really aren't there in or on the sphere. The sphere 'disappears', 'misting' or 'clouding' comes up before the sight and then images start to appear much like you'd be watching a movie screen. WARNING! go slowly! If you over do it, the optic nerve will be temporarily paralized and external sight is gone... this will cause a neophyte to panic like nothing else will. It's OK! Stay calm... if this happens, just close the eyes for a few moments, WILL Psychic Mind quiet again, then open your eyes and slowly move them about the room focusing on things close and far to kind of 'exercise' them. You would also likely suffer a headache to various degrees and even if the eye problem doesn't occur, you may get one until you've trained yourself and become more experienced. I recommend working at this new experience for only FIVE MINUTES per day until the first results start then gradually working up your timing as able. Only one session per day. The advantages of using natural quartz crystal is in the way they reflect light points and rainbows, etc which induce the eye to roam from point to point and focus on. Sometimes each eye finds its own focus point! The shifting lights, colors, shadows, form, & motions... all aid the natural inherit ability of the scrier. SO you've been called by a crystal, you buy it, you bring it home... Wash it under tepid faucet water to clear it. Use BOTH hands and gently think of yourself ON to it, don't OVER POWER it. Crystals have their own energy and when you EMPOWER it, you kill that energy to put your own in its place. NO! you want to be a TEAM with it not enslave it. Thus you wash and turn it and clean it externally of dirt, etc. and internally of unwelcome energy imposed by anybody who has handled it. The water running produces ions which will clean in a natural way. Please don't fall to the 'modern' method of using salt to clean anything. Salt can be compared to this... you have dirty hands from garden work so you clean them with ACID! What does the acid do? It strips off the dirt alright, but also the skin, flesh, & bone until there is nothing left of your hands - but they're CLEAN. You then keep the sphere for ONLY scrying use. It is either in a dark drawel or under a natural-fiber cloth, or in use. NEVER out for display and NEVER handled by others but the user. Some use black color to draw power or white to reflect away outside power... depends on your path of belief in most cases. After EACH use, even during the learning stages; you clear the excess energy from the sphere. The adept method of doing such would be this... hold in the receptive hand, draw excess energy off, switch to projective hand, pair your normal energy back up with the specimen. It's not that hard to do but most people won't want bothered to learn the skill, in that case just run it under water again like previously described. Moon Baths are also a passive clearing method... let specimen lay out under moon. NEVER use a Sun Bath unless you know what you're doing. Many minerals (what I've termed Fade Stones) will fade in color, some will break, and the right clear quartz can actually cause fires like using a magnifying glass can. Hmm... I think I answered all you asked about? Anyway, I use a large clear quartz sphere myself, though have numerous other types. My 2nd best is a large eye-stone about 6" across. I dedicate my quartz sphere once a month in a special Esbat celebration just for it (which is a more elaborate Moon Bath basicly), and clear it adept method always. Oh and size doesn't matter... as long it is big enough to work with HER skill... I know several people who have thumb size specimens they use just fine. In this area, it's skill and ability that counts not the size of the rock or the money spent on it. If she isn't sure if she has any talent, tell Sis to try using a clear GLASS glass filled with water, swirl water around, and see if she get any effects from watching through the SIDE of the glass into the water. Getting DIZZY is a good sign of talent. Hope this is some help... LD #: 62630 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 18:30:10 Sb: #62537-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 Replies: 0 >> lucite SPHERES won't work. << Lucite is black plastic, isn't it? >> Glass works but you need the air bubbles for focus and glass has no natural energy of its own, nor will it hold a charge from you. << When you say glass here, you mean normal glass, nor crystal glass. Right? >> it has to have a reflection or focus point, whether it be internal or on the external surfacing. << That's what I thought. >> WARNING! go slowly! If you over do it, the optic nerve will be temporarily paralized and external sight is gone... this will cause a neophyte to panic like nothing else will. It's OK! Stay calm... if this happens, just close the eyes for a few moments, << Oh! This is more dangerous than I thought! I'm sure she will appreciate that piece of information. >> Use BOTH hands and gently think of yourself ON to it << What do you mean by ON to it? >> Please don't fall to the 'modern' method of using salt to clean anything. Salt can be compared to this... you have dirty hands from garden work so you clean them with ACID! << Oh! I'll make sure to tell her that. She'll decide which way to go but I think your way deserve full recognition. >> NEVER out for display and NEVER handled by others but the user. << It is a bit strange that it cannot be displayed. Also, I think some scryer get the customer to touch the ball for better channeling. No? >> hold in the receptive hand, draw excess energy off, switch to projective hand, pair your normal energy back up with the specimen. << How do you know which hand is your receptive hand? And why would you need to send it normal energy after you drained the excess energy? >> NEVER use a Sun Bath unless you know what you're doing. << What do you need to know for that? >> I dedicate my quartz sphere once a month in a special Esbat celebration just for it (which is a more elaborate Moon Bath basicly) << How long is a Moon bath? >> Hope this is some help... LD << Sure does! Thanks! (I'll have to upload that to the library afterward. Many people can find all that information useful in the future!) Alain #: 62646 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 18:57:20 Sb: #62537-Crystall balls Fm: Michele 75131,2106 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 L.D., That was a great post on Crystal Balls! Thanks! Michele #: 62722 S6/Tarot & Divination 13-Jul-95 22:01:25 Sb: #62537-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 LD- Thanks for the post. I was curious about the salt water - ocean water for crystals is really like acid on your hands? Ouch - poor babies! Have to go apologize to my crystals! Shelle #: 63140 S6/Tarot & Divination 14-Jul-95 23:28:06 Sb: #62537-Crystall balls Fm: Nigel Cooper 100243,1344 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 Hi L.D. Great post re crystall balls. This thread needed your imput. I don't know much about crystalls but you sound as though you do. I know a bit more about scrying and I think you have hit the nail on the head. I prefer to scry in a bowl of water and have even used a bucket of water. I would advise anybody to use the guidlines you have laid down and *before they know it*, they will be scrying. Thanks Nigel #: 63473 S6/Tarot & Divination 15-Jul-95 23:59:19 Sb: Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Nigel Cooper 100243,1344 (X) >Great post re crystall balls. This thread needed your imput. I don't know much about crystalls but you sound as though you do. I know a bit more about scrying and I think you have hit the nail on the head. I prefer to scry in a bowl of water and have even used a bucket of water. I would advise anybody to use the guidlines you have laid down and *before they know it*, they will be scrying.< Why Nigel! thank you for such kind words. I appreciate it. I have found that scrying is more a state of mind and I've had wide experimentation in using diverse objects... right down to dewdrops on the petals of a rose, it was my most beautiful experience. LD #: 63947 S6/Tarot & Divination 17-Jul-95 01:47:16 Sb: #63473-Crystall balls Fm: Nigel Cooper 100243,1344 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 (X) Hi L.D. >I have found that scrying is more a state of mind and I've had wide experimentation in using diverse objects... right down to dewdrops on the petals of a rose, it was my most beautiful experience. LD< Sounds much more romantic then my bucket of water. I agree with you re scrying being a state of mind. Any state of mind activity is better when accompanied by a sensual experience so I can see why scrying dew drops on the petals of a rose would be so good. Happy scrying Nigel #: 63475 S6/Tarot & Divination 15-Jul-95 23:59:21 Sb: Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Michele 75131,2106 (X) >That was a great post on Crystal Balls! Thanks!< Thanks Michele, glad to share. LD :) #: 63476 S6/Tarot & Divination 15-Jul-95 23:59:23 Sb: Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 (X) >I was curious about the salt water - ocean water for crystals is really like acid on your hands?< You will find that all New Age books will say to use the Salt Water. However an adept who can 'feel' the subtle energies can tell the difference. BESIDES! what about those of us who used 'rocks' long before it was popular? We never heard of such a thing as using salt, etc. Please realize that if you just let your specimens 'rest' for a while, their natural energy will come back of itself. This is because of their individual mineral content which still exists. Kinda like weeds... you can keep cutting them off but the little suckers just keep coming back. :) LD #: 63477 S6/Tarot & Divination 16-Jul-95 00:00:00 Sb: #Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) >Lucite is black plastic, isn't it?< Lucite can now come in diverse colorations. >When you say glass here, you mean normal glass, nor crystal glass. Right?< I mean normal leaded glass that is used to blow spheres and small figurine decorative pieces. Lead HAS to be added to give the glass the strength to be blown and worked. >> WARNING! go slowly! If you over do it, the optic nerve will be temporarily paralized and external sight is gone... this will cause a neophyte to panic like nothing else will. It's OK! Stay calm... if this happens, just close the eyes for a few moments, << >>>Oh! This is more dangerous than I thought! I'm sure she will appreciate that piece of information.<<< No not really. You just exercise the eyes by refocusing about the room a bit. It'll pass in a few minutes even in the worst cases. Though the headaches can last longer. >> Use BOTH hands and gently think of yourself ON to it << >>>What do you mean by ON to it?<<<< It's hard to explain... think of YOUSELF then instead of an attitude of "hey rock, I'M THE BOSS! obey me." Try more of "you are pretty, I love you, I need you for this exercise, be part of me and I'm part of you." In my lessons I teach to think... "Remember Crystals are people, too." That is... give a mineral sample respect as its own entity, not a slave, not a thing, but a partner in the Is To BE you have pictured in your mind that you wish to accomplish. >> NEVER out for display and NEVER handled by others but the user. << >>>>It is a bit strange that it cannot be displayed. Also, I think some scryer get the customer to touch the ball for better channeling. No?<<<< Every person who so much as looks at your sphere has the potential of adding their influence to it, more so if they handle it. As to some 'scryers' having the client touch theirs... yep they do & they also 'see' tall dark and handsome strangers, too. >> hold in the receptive hand, draw excess energy off, switch to projective hand, pair your normal energy back up with the specimen. << >>>>How do you know which hand is your receptive hand? And why would you need to send it normal energy after you drained the excess energy? <<< If you are RIGHT handed, the right hand is the projective hand. If you are LEFT handed, that one is the projective hand. If you are ambidextrous as I am, you simply use instinct if you have it yet or just go with right for lack of a better reason. >> NEVER use a Sun Bath unless you know what you're doing. << >>>>What do you need to know for that?<<<< Geology certainly helps. This is purely a mundane reason, some minerals can not take the Sun's rays, strength, and heat. >> I dedicate my quartz sphere once a month in a special Esbat celebration just for it (which is a more elaborate Moon Bath basicly) << >>>>How long is a Moon bath?<<<< Using this method, it is the time to ground & center, call down the moon, lift arms and sphere to Her, etc. About 5-10 minutes. It is a Witchy type thing of religious value more than physical need as I keep my collection adeptly clean and cleared. I may have a magician posting but I love my Folk Witch roots. This is something of those roots done for the pure joy of it. >> Hope this is some help... LD << >>>Sure does! Thanks! (I'll have to upload that to the library afterward. Many people can find all that information useful in the future!)<<< Perhaps. Many will say I'm nuts and haven't a clue to what I'm talking about. How ever those who have read my book on the subject say it's my best work. I dunno... except it works for me. :) LD #: 63586 S6/Tarot & Divination 16-Jul-95 07:19:12 Sb: #63477-Crystall balls Fm: Michele 75131,2106 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 You have a book out on this!!!! Info please, it immediately goes to the top of my must buy list! Michele #: 64084 S6/Tarot & Divination 17-Jul-95 12:58:03 Sb: #63586-#Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Michele 75131,2106 (X) The book is ready Michelle, but not yet in publication, with only my Circle/Order members & close friends having copies... if they could handle my computer files. This is part of a series of 5 books, 3 of which are finished. My main problem is that I am a writer and teacher, etc. & the 'business' part of it is beyond me. First you need accepted by a publisher, then THEY can take up to a couple years to ever get the thing out. (If you are writing 'for the check', you'll sit around another year or so waiting for any monies.) I've been experimenting around with doing this myself but can not keep a price down to what "I" deem reasonable. Besides the greed-factor, I also want to control editing because my group edits me (I have LOUSY punctuation!) Ever get a book that 'reads' choppy & not quite right? Thank the editing work of the publisher as it's likely the writer did a wonderful job. Several mentioned going Sharware but how many peoples computers can handle files nearly a meg in size? And they would have to have WORKS which is what I use. And to print it out, oh my... a dot matrix can take upwards of 14 hours to print one copy! Anyway, if you ever see something with the OOTLB name, by DenElder it will be me... #1 GLOSSARY which is currently at 243 pages of terms and definitions and grows almost daily; #2 is RAMBLING NOTES which covers diverse subjects; #3 is CRYSTALS 268 pages of mineral headings, how to tell fakings, geology terms, etc. A sample is the scrying note that started this conversation. #4 is WORTCRAFT, now only 50 pages of healing terms & will later continue into uses & applications... I'm waiting to finish when I've obtained my Master's on Herbology. But I'm under peer pressure to finish it sooner - but I just don't want to until then. But it will include safer more natural ways to clean around the house, gardening, magickal applications, just all kinds of related stuff. #5 is on Blessings, Poetry, and that type stuff. Anyway, that's those such as they are. :} LD #: 64249 S6/Tarot & Divination 17-Jul-95 20:04:22 Sb: #64084-Crystall balls Fm: Michele 75131,2106 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 L.D., Your books sound fascinating! I am sorry you are having such a hard time getting a conventional publisher. Should they become available to the general public let us know. You have one guaranteed customer anyway . Michele #: 63653 S6/Tarot & Divination 16-Jul-95 13:58:10 Sb: #63477-Crystall balls Fm: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 >> Every person who so much as looks at your sphere has the potential of adding their influence to it, more so if they handle it. << That's what I thought. >> As to some 'scryers' having the client touch theirs... yep they do & they also 'see' tall dark and handsome strangers, too. << What do you mean? The ball get haunted? >> How ever those who have read my book on the subject say it's my best work. << Which book is that? Also, any word about the stand for the ball? Should it be "finger-like" or just a support ring? Alain #: 64085 S6/Tarot & Divination 17-Jul-95 12:58:04 Sb: #63653-Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Alain B./As't Sysop 70403,3645 (X) >What do you mean? The ball get haunted?< No, I imply they are fakes who 'see' whatever will make the client happy and really don't know what they are doing. >any word about the stand for the ball?< I prefer wooden stands. Take a large diameter dowel rod, saw it off at about an 1/2 - 1 inch or so, drill out a hole in the middle of this piece... and you have a cheap stand. As to the book, see my reply to Michele, it's not avialable (yet) for public buying. Sorry. LD #: 63478 S6/Tarot & Divination 16-Jul-95 00:00:03 Sb: Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 (X) >>What about cloudiness? Is that improper care too?<< If the clouding was there to begin with, it is a natural occurence. If it came up as you've worked the sample, then it was you, or how you cleansed it. Often happens with Sun Baths. >Also - my green fluorite ball - even though it is dark in color, I can still see through it some - would that be acceptable for scrying?< Of course, if it works for YOU it is acceptable. ANY thing you can get a reflection out of or has a focus point, will likely work. ANYTHING! It's just a matter of what works for YOU, dear. Also, as to the heat you spoke of coming up out of a specimen you were working with... GOOD sign of a healthy immune system. Means your physical energy level is vibrating at a high level. Also means you are likely VERY intuitive or have the capability to be very intuitive. If you are seldom sick, this is a sign of this, too. >Thanks again!< You're welcome. LD #: 63682 S6/Tarot & Divination 16-Jul-95 15:42:10 Sb: #63478-Crystall balls Fm: Shelle Pourmanafzadeh 74224,723 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 LD, >>>Also, as to the heat you spoke of coming up out of a specimen you were working with... GOOD sign of a healthy immune system. Means your physical energy level is vibrating at a high level. Also means you are likely VERY intuitive or have the capability to be very intuitive. If you are seldom sick, this is a sign of this, too.<<< Yay! I have to say, I chuckled a bit...I was "struck" with CFIDS (chronic fatigue immune disorder syndrome) a few years ago, and have just now begun to kick it...I've noticed as I increase my awareness of my intuition, the stronger it becomes (intuition) and the healthier I get! Also, I'm happy to say I think my crystals have recovered. I didn't actually salt bathe the last several I've acquired and the others haven't been so harshly treated in years now! Love and Light, Shelle #: 65053 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 11:18:02 Sb: #Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Bella 73672,1433 Dear Bella, Just drop me your addy in my private emailbox and remind me you want those files, I'll send them. No problem! Then you just drop me back a disk... (this goes for anybody else reading here. Just realize these are for PRIVATE use only. No sharing please.) I had one bookware program but it was with DOS and wouldn't keep my 'extras' such as bold or italic words, under-lining, or justified margins, etc. These things look NICE! on a printed document. Now have sent for a book about electronic publishing so maybe can figure something out of that. I want to publish CHEAP with only a couple dollars profit with a goal of charging under like $10. Sadly it would cost around $25-30 right now to either print out or make copies. And these things are HEAVY printed out for shipping, about 2 inches thick for each 'book.' I did have somebody mention about CDs but how many people have those? But I figure sooner or later it will work out. Especially with people giving me hints and ideas... THOSE really help! Thanks for the wishes, may they return greatly enhanced... :) LD #: 65059 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 12:05:24 Sb: #64544-Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Michele 75131,2106 >Have you tried submitting it to LLewellyn?< Yes I relunctly did as a favor to some friends but I'm not writing 'stream-line' enough for them. They've gone to such fluff they mostly want angel books, etc. More New Agey which I definitely am NOT! (No insult intended.) Plus I know how they treat some of their authors and would not tolerate such treatment and told them so. But when you want to earn a living at writing, you DO have to put up with it. LD #: 65190 S6/Tarot & Divination 19-Jul-95 18:04:12 Sb: #65059-Crystall balls Fm: Michele 75131,2106 To: L.D. Black 75777,2552 I got more out of your message on Crystals than I got from their book "Crystal Balls and Crystal Bowls"! You will be getting my e-mail post haste! Michele, who can hardly wait to read the rest of what you wrote. #: 65524 S6/Tarot & Divination 20-Jul-95 11:32:26 Sb: #65087-Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Pete Salomone 71621,1347 Thank you Pete for your thoughts. Right now have been sharing with friends, as files on disk. But I'm not sure with how I'm doing it for 'paying customers.' ??? Am waiting for a book now that I ordered, it's supose to tell me about electronic publishing so maybe I can learn more details. Actually, as long as my expenses are covered, that's all I'm concerned about. After all, I've yet to see a rich writer. Thanks again! LD #: 68566 S6/Tarot & Divination 26-Jul-95 17:26:23 Sb: Crystall balls Fm: L.D. Black 75777,2552 To: Bella 73672,1433 (X) Got your email & addy and replied. :) Good thing you warned me about mailing to Canada! Hope you enjoy... LD #: 69067 S2/Community Square 27-Jul-95 21:18:01 Sb: #crystals Fm: scott watson 75702,1463 To: all Can anybody give me some insight into buying/finding crystals? First of all, I have Uma Silbey's _The Complete Crystal Guidebook_. She briefly talks about how to choose a crystal (quartz), but she doesn't go into what you would expect to pay. Nor does she indicate a good source (jewelry store, gem shop, flea market??????) Any suggestions? Thanks Scott #: 69207 S2/Community Square 28-Jul-95 02:40:03 Sb: #69067-#crystals Fm: Carolyn 76727,514 To: scott watson 75702,1463 (X) Hi Scott, I find my crystals all over. I live in Northern California though, and we have quite a few choices around. I started getting an idea of gemstones, crystals and things from the Rock and Gem Magazine. You can find them for sale at lapidary shops usually, but in case you can't find a copy, here is the address: Rock & Gem Magazine 4880 Market St. Ventura, CA.93003 The Rock & Gem Magazine lists show dates for the whole U.S. every month, and that would get you to where the crystals and people you need to meet are temporarily located. At the shows, you will likely be handed business cards until you can't hold on to more. It's a start anyway. Look under your yellow pages for "Lapidary" too. It should list the rock shops or people who work with minerals, fossels, etc. What you are trying to do is find out whats available in your area without having to spend a fortune. New Age stores also carry some crystals, though you need to watch out price-wise. Try to find crystals that are totally natural if you are going to use them for healing purposes. There are a lot of crystals coming from Brazil that have been polished off. They are really pretty to look at but they've got a bad habit of creating extra facets to your crystal. These stores charge anywhere from $4.00 to $8.00 per oz. for a crystal. It's pretty much a ripoff from my viewpoint. For larger crystals, the rate generally runs $45.00 per lb. or more. It's getting to be a VERY expensive endeavor to find good crystals. Of course, you could get maps and do some rockhounding on your own. Another method is taking a trip to Mt. Ida Arkansas where most of the fine crystals in the U.S. come from, and there you pay to dig for them yourself, or you could visit one or more of the local rock shops in that area. (probably easier too. I think their prices would be competitive as well) I can't take a trip without stopping to check out any rock shops we pass. I never know where I'm going to find my next treasure. You should be able to get a decent and mostly clear natural crystal about the size of your thumb for around $4.00 to $6.00 ea. If it's double terminated it's going to cost more. I can't say if that price is good for anywhere but California. They are probably cheaper anywhere else. I thought Uma's book to be mostly bilge. She's got you doing a lot of different things to clear your crystals...long and drawn out things I might add. But, she knows a lot as well, and maybe when you are just starting out it's not a bad idea to just do what she says until you become so attuned that you can then just tell your crystals to clear! Guess I'm not much for all that symbolism. The rocks sure don't care! It's a whole different world Scott. Check out flea markets, antique shops, even some jewelry shops if you know of any in a quaint, or unusual area. You find the little beauties all over the place. You will definately pay too much for some, and too little for others. It all comes out in the wash over time. Good luck, and let me know if I've covered your questions. Carolyn S. Peterson #: 69232 S2/Community Square 28-Jul-95 06:01:19 Sb: #69207-#crystals Fm: norm scull/NEWS 73200,1743 To: Carolyn 76727,514 (X) Thanks for a great message about crystal acquisition. The crystal book section of my home library includes: THE MAGICAL CRYSTAL by Newage Forum member Geoffrey Keyte THE CRYSTAL CONNECTION by Randall N. and Vicki V Baer THE NEWCASTLE GUIDE TO HEAING WITH GEMSTONES by Pamela Louise Chase and Jonathan Pawlik I would be interested in your comments, if any, about these books #: 69446 S2/Community Square 28-Jul-95 17:12:03 Sb: #69232-#crystals Fm: Carolyn 76727,514 To: norm scull/NEWS 73200,1743 (X) Hi Norm, Got your post regarding three books and what I thought of them. I'm embarrased to have to admit this, but I don't have ANY of those books. I downloaded some crystal information a couple of months ago by Geoffrey Keyte plus an on-line conference he gave, so at least that gave me something to look over. Geoffrey has some impressive information as far as I can see. I liked the idea to dedicate a crystal for one type of usage...I truly hadn't thought about the possibility that cyrstals work better that way. When I asked them, I got an affirmative. Since then, I went to the trouble of clearing them and refocusing them according to usage. I haven't read everything through yet, but I WOULD like to get his book. How do I go about getting it? I haven't seen it in any of the book stores around here. If you would kindly give me the ISBN number, I think I'll order it. As to "The Crystal Connection" by Randall and Vicki Baer, I don't have that one, but I've gotten an older book called "Windows of Light" from them. It is kind of like a fantasmagoria of esoteric information. They have some wonderful crystal layouts but they are all in double terminated large crystals. Those babies are too expensive to buy even if you could find enough of them. I do a special layout called the 12 pointed star that compares to one of their layouts. Mine are single terminated stones with most of them about the size of a small balled fist. I have a generator crystal in the center which weights more than 17 lbs. and believe me I've got more energy from that layout than is safe for most people. Sometimes I can only sit in it for about 5 minutes at a time. Never sit or lay in a strong pattern more than 20 minutes at a time. (for any of you who happen to work with crystals and don't know that...it can damage the body) To be honest, I don't look at very many crystal books anymore. I've got about 15 of them, and unless I see something very different and unusual as far as usage goes, the information is repeated in one or more of my other books. I also pretty much specialize in working with quartz crystal at this time. I loved Katrina Raphaell's trio of books, but I don't do gemstone layouts in the way she does. I work with clear quartz mostly...sometimes adding amethyst or citrine, carnelian, or the other quartz based gemstones/crystals. I also work with gemstone beads because their energies swirl around like energies of the sun or the planet. They are far safer to use directly on a body. So, when working on healing energies, I use natural crystals outside, and the beads directly on a body. It seems to work very well. I'm still learning about crystals all the time. In fact, I had a dream some years back where I was in a cave encrusted with crystals. In my mind I heard "You will know what Crystal knows". Well, unless I live a much longer life than planned, I don't see how that is possible. Carolyn #: 69494 S2/Community Square 28-Jul-95 19:23:08 Sb: #69446-crystals Fm: norm scull/NEWS 73200,1743 To: Carolyn 76727,514 It sounds like you might be ready to write a book on your experiences with crystals Geoffrey's book's ISBN is: 0 85207 269 4 and is published by The CW Daniel Company Ltd in England #: 70005 S2/Community Square 30-Jul-95 02:42:01 Sb: #69494-#crystals Fm: Carolyn 76727,514 To: norm scull/NEWS 73200,1743 (X) Hi Norm, Thanks for the information about the book "The Magical Crystal". I haven't seen it locally but the local New Age Book Store is really good to order anything I ask about. I also got a private post from Geoffrey Keyte to let me know he has a new book out called "Crystal Healing Configurations" which is only obtainable from him by mail order. It sounds very interesting from the title, so may try that one first...got to get to the meat of things, you know. >>It sounds like you might be ready to write a book on your experiences with crystals.<< Thanks for the vote of confidence, but there are so many really good crystal books out there that I think I'll pass on THAT one...at least until and unless I come up with a totally different approach and experiences to share. Carolyn