Nothing is credited with the magical power of divination more than the humble crystal ball. The image of a fortune-telling gypsy gazing into the ball and foretelling your future is only one aspect of this purely symbolic item.
It is mentioned in the Book of Revelations and referred to in the legend of King Arthur, who sought out the advice and prophecies of Merlin the Magician through his crystal ball. Prominent in the Middle Ages, scryers (fortune tellers) revered their crystal balls, often passing them on to their apprentices. A tool for reaching and communicating with the divine, crystals have always been used in communication — just as they are today in radios, telephones, and computers.
Perhaps crystal balls became important tools because of their inherent characteristics of transparency and symmetry. Additionally, it is claimed the energetic fields of crystals and gemstones influence what the scryer sees on a very subtle, and often esoteric, level.
Please note: Because of the optical nature of crystal balls, if left in direct sunlight there is a possible fire hazard.
