crystal gazing

crystal gazing
—crystal gazer.
1. the practice of staring into a crystal ball, as by a fortuneteller, to see distant happenings, future events, etc.
2. speculation about the future.
[1885-90]

* * *

also called  scrying 

      divination of distant or future events based on visions seen in a ball of rock crystal. Divination based on an analysis of reflections in water, on polished metal, or on precious stones was practiced by early humans, who probably interpreted these phenomena as a vision of the spirit world. Scrying became widespread by the 5th century AD and was condemned by the medieval Christian church as the work of the devil.

      Crystal gazing was a popular pastime in the Victorian era, together with palmistry and astrology, and it involved elaborate rituals for cleaning the crystal ball and for conducting crystal-gazing sessions, which are said to work best when the Sun is at its northernmost declination. Immediately before the appearance of a vision (which may be realistic or a mere wispy swirl), the globe is said to mist up from within.

* * *


Universalium. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужно решить контрольную?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • crystal gazing — n. divination with the aid of a ball (crystal ball) of rock crystal or, commonly, glass, into which one stares in seeking certain images, esp. of future events crystal gazer …   English World dictionary

  • Crystal gazing — Ball gazes and Ball gazing redirect here. For the American poker player, see Bill Gazes. For the lawn ornament, see Gazing ball. Crystal saw redirects here. For the magic trick, see Crystal Sawing. Crystal see redirects here. It is not to be… …   Wikipedia

  • crystal gazing — noun staring into a crystal ball to arouse visions of future or distant events • Hypernyms: ↑prophecy, ↑prognostication, ↑vaticination * * * noun 1. : the art or practice of concentrating upon a glass or crystal globe with the aim of inducing a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • crystal gazing — {n.} The attempt to predict future events. * /The magician s specialty was crystal gazing./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • crystal gazing — {n.} The attempt to predict future events. * /The magician s specialty was crystal gazing./ …   Dictionary of American idioms

  • crystal\ gazing — noun the attempt to predict future events. The magician s specialty was crystal gazing …   Словарь американских идиом

  • Crystal Gazing Luck Amazing — Studio album by Compulsive Gamblers Released June 20, 2000 Genre …   Wikipedia

  • crystal-gazing — crysˈtal gazing noun Gazing in a crystal or the like to obtain visual images, whether in divination or to objectify hidden contents of the mind • • • Main Entry: ↑crystal …   Useful english dictionary

  • Crystal Gazing —    Gaining knowledge about the future by gazing into a crystal, and seeing a vision in the crystal. Also called Crystallomancy. See Divination …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • crystal gazing — noun Date: 1889 1. the art or practice of concentrating on a glass or crystal globe with the aim of inducing a psychic state in which divination can be performed 2. the attempt to predict future events or make difficult judgments especially… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”