Scrying for Beginners: What It Is & How to Start Today

When I first heard the word scrying, I pictured something straight out of a fantasy novel complete with crystal balls, dramatic fog, maybe even a spooky voice whispering in the background. You know, the full movie moment.

But after a recent scrying activity with my coven (which, by the way, was way more grounded and beautiful than I expected), I realized just how different the real thing feels. It was quiet, intuitive, and honestly kind of comforting. That experience is what inspired me to write this post; because if you’re curious like I was, I want you to know it’s not as mysterious or intimidating as it sounds.

What Is Scrying?

Scrying is a form of divination, which is really just a fancy word for tuning into messages, energy, or insights beyond the obvious. Think of it like listening with your eyes instead of your ears. It is not, as I found out, a means of peering into the foggy images of the past, present, or future of someone's life.

You might’ve heard people talk about the “clair” senses like clairvoyance (clear seeing), clairaudience (clear hearing), clairsentience (clear feeling), and claircognizance (clear knowing). These are just different ways intuition shows up. During scrying, you might not literally see an image in the water or mirror. Instead, you might feel something in your gut (clairsentience), hear a phrase in your mind (clairaudience), or suddenly know what something means without knowing how you know it (claircognizance). It’s all valid. The key is staying open to however your intuition likes to speak.

At its core, scrying is about gazing into something (water, mirrors, smoke, fire, or even a candle flame) and letting your intuitive mind do the work. There’s no right or wrong way to do it, and you don’t need to “see” a literal image like in the movies. Sometimes you’ll get a feeling, a memory, or just a quiet knowing.

I like to describe it as giving your subconscious a surface to speak on.

 

Why Do People Scry?

People scry for lots of reasons:

• Clarity: When you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck, scrying can help bring subconscious thoughts to the surface.
• Connection: It’s a great way to connect with your intuition, ancestors, or spiritual guides.
• Calm: Honestly? It can be incredibly meditative. Even if no grand vision shows up, the act of slowing down and gazing into something still is powerful.

It’s not about fortune-telling. It’s about reflection, both literal and emotional.

3 Easy Ways to Try Scrying

You don’t need a crystal ball or a dedicated witchy room to get started. You probably already have most of what you need at home.

1. Water Bowl Scrying

This is my personal favorite, especially during full moons.

What you need:

• A dark-colored bowl (black or deep blue works best)
• Water
• Candle or other low-light option (like a salt lamp)

How to do it:

1. Fill the bowl with water and place it on a table where you can sit comfortably.
2. Dim the lights or scry by candlelight. Tip: Don't put your light source right next to your bowl or directly in your line of vison. Offset it a bit so you aren't distracted or affected by the light itself.
3. Gaze softly into the water. Don’t strain your eyes, just let them relax.
4. Breathe and let your mind wander. You might notice shifting shadows, images, or just thoughts bubbling up.

Tip: Try doing this under the moonlight. The effect is magical.

2. Make Your Own Scrying Mirror

You don’t need to buy a fancy mirror to try this. Making your own black scrying mirror is not only budget-friendly, it’s also a great way to infuse your energy and intention into the tool from the start.

What you need:

• A picture frame (any size works, but I recommend 5x7 or 8x10 to start)
• The glass from the frame
• Black acrylic paint or spray paint (matte or gloss)
• Soft cloth or glass cleaner
• Optional: embellishments like moon stickers, crystals, dried herbs, or paint pens, etc.

How to make it:

1. Carefully remove the glass from the picture frame and clean it thoroughly with glass cleaner or a soft cloth.
2. Paint one side of the glass completely black. Check for thin spots and re-apply as necessary (this might take a couple of coats)
3. Once dry, place the painted side facing the backer board so the unpainted side is what you’ll look into.
4. Put the glass back into the frame and secure it.
5. If you want to, decorate the frame with your personal style by adding sigils, crystals, pressed flowers, paint accents, etc. that resonate with your practice.

How to use it:

1. Sit quietly in front of your finished mirror.
2. Light a candle beside or behind you for a soft glow.
3. Gaze into the surface. Look just above your eyes or soften your focus.
4. Let yourself relax and notice what you feel, sense, or imagine. Don’t force anything, just observe.

Sometimes, I see light shifts or a soft glow. Other times, it’s more of a feeling or a phrase in my mind. Every session is a little different, and that’s part of the magic.

3. Candle Flame Scrying

This one is perfect if you’re short on time or space.

What you need:

• A candle (pick one you love; I find it makes a difference)
• A quiet moment

How to do it:

1. Light your candle and sit comfortably.
2. Gaze at the flame without blinking too much or staring hard.
3. Let your mind wander and just notice what comes up; thoughts, emotions, ideas.

Sometimes I’ll write in my journal right after. It helps me capture what surfaced and gives me something to reflect on later.

Keep It Simple, Keep It You

Scrying doesn’t require fancy tools, psychic gifts, or a dramatic setup. If you can sit still and let your mind breathe, you can scry. 

So don’t overthink it.

Let yourself be curious. Try one of these simple methods and see how it feels. You don’t need a vision of a crow flying over a mountain at midnight (though if you get one, I'd love to hear about it). Sometimes the insight is just a soft whisper reminding you that you already know what you need.

Stay mystical, Friends!