Cloud Scrying: Allow the message to float over you
Scrying is the practice of divination and detecting messages or visions. Practitioners use scrying to seek personal guidance, foresight, or inspiration. Many Cabots and witches alike have used this form of medium, which has been passed down for thousands of years.
It is said, in 312 A.D., Emperor Constantine marched his army into Rome with a shining cross of light amid the clouds with the words “By This Conquer.” In the Chambers’s Cyclopaedia 1753 Supplement, cloud scrying or aeromancy was defined as a “department of science which treats the atmosphere.”
Many gods and goddesses are described to have procured weather divinations. Greek Mythology has proclaimed that Cassandra was given the gift of prophecy by Apollo, who was in love with her, but when she did not return his love Apollo cursed her with unaccountability. Though she predicted the Trojan War, no one would believe her. Their skepticism was their demise, and hers. As a result, Cassandra has gained respect by see-ers the world over and often called upon to sharpen sight.
“Lady Cassandra, See-er, Oracle, and Prophet, I call unto you for vision and thank you for helping me see more clearly. For light within light, my third eye is right. Shadows by day or moonlit night. Know that your name is remembered.”
It’s true, the most famous form of scrying is with the use of a crystal ball, but black scrying mirrors have become more common in recent years. There are several different tools and methods such as fire or smoke scrying, interpreting wax drippings, gazing into water, using mirrors, lace, scrying bones or shells, various types of crystals, egg scrying, and I’m sure several others, not to mention Laurie Cabot’s own game board. Ancient Egyptians and Babylonians scryed by means of gazing into dishes of palm oil.
While reading “Paganism for Prisoners” by Awyn Dawn, she makes the case that practitioners who have been incarcerated would not be allowed the tools to practice, no athame, no wand, no candles, no crystals, etc. One could argue that societal scrutiny is a type of prison for magic practitioners, some choose to remain in the broom closet. It got me thinking, how one would attempt scrying in prison? How could anyone practice divination in plain sight without ridicule?
The answer: Cloud scrying!
Provided one has access to windows or being outdoors. Clouds are free, almost always available and anyone can try it. In my practice it has helped me open my aura more, and feel closer to the natural world. It also compliments weather magick beautifully. I typically practice in broad daylight, but also while looking at the moon. There’s nothing like receiving a message from space to make you feel one with the stars.
You’ve likely already done some cloud gazing. As children we used to imagine the clouds were various animals and things, but scrying with clouds is done with intention.
Essentially, scrying is similar to a trance-like meditation with eyes open. In order to get to that state we have to clear the mind, which could be challenging in the beginning but gets easier with practice.
Sitting or laying on the ground is deeply grounding, and helps the mind focus on the vision without having to worry about keeping balance.
If scrying at night, you may want to try gazing at the moon, and as your focus softens concentrate on the image in the clouds that surround the moon. Alternatively, while scrying during the day, DO NOT scry directly into the sun, it can permanently injure the retina and eye tissue, or sunburn the cornea. Pick an area of sky, where the sun is not directly in your line of vision.
Relaxing music can be helpful or distracting, so the use is solely the preference of the practitioner. Close your eyes, and with eyes closed begin to look left and right and back again. Then, with eyes still closed, look up at your forehead then down at your chin and back and forth again.
Ask your guides to show you what you wish to see. Open your eyes and look to the clouds. Soften your gaze. Don’t strain or squint as that can cause headaches. Watch the cloud formations. Allow images to take shape. Be patient, relax, allow the message to flow over you. Impatience is rarely rewarded in the craft. Some say that if your eyes begin to water, that means you have hit your scrying limit and should end your session.
Open up to the universe and allow your aura to expand. You may see stationary images, or animated ones, like watching a movie. If your clairaudience is engaged you may hear a message. Try scrying while flying on an airplane, looking down of the fluffy cumulous clouds creating celestial art.
Keep a journal with you, so that you can quickly jot down the images you saw before you forget. Write first, interpret what you see after. Even if it doesn’t make sense right away, that’s ok. Perhaps the message will become clearer in a day or so.
Take pictures for your journal, to help you remember what you saw. Even scrying into the picture can bring messages, something different might stand out to you. Make the best use of your time and admire the clouds, give thanks to the universe, keep an open mind, and allow the message to flow over you.