Every day we read new predictions: Economic. Political. Astrological. A new comet is heading for Earth. The threat of World War 3.
Is there any point in seeing what will happen? Maybe some people would like to invest well thereby gaining more wealth. Ancient rulers liked to stay one step ahead of their competition.
For many centuries, many gifted people divined the future by crystal gazing, known technically as scrying. This method of divination goes so far back that it would be impossible to state where it originated. Both the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians scryed by means of gazing into open stone dishes filled with palm oil.
In place of gazing into a crystal ball, scryers could use the surface of a pool or a glass or saucer full of water, ink, oil, or other liquids. They could also utilize a large piece of natural quartz crystal to serve as their window into other dimensions.
After the scrying device clouds over and clears again, small figures may be seen moving about in the crystal itself. A varying panorama, not unlike miniature motion pictures, will develop, and certain scenes portraying the future or the past will be played out before their eyes, coming from the subconscious mind.
It's another matter to believe what these people say. We have only their imagination, conveyed by their message of what they saw, to go by.
In a handwritten note from the 1660s, Robert Boyle made a number of predictions that have come true. He said the future would include, "the cure of diseases at a distance or at least by transplantation." Considering he lived in the pre-Enlightenment era of magic and superstition, the idea of organ transplantation is incredibly forward-thinking.
In my Moonstone series of novels, the first two of which are published as shown on the sidebar, Liliha inherits her grandmother's star moonstone ring, which she discovers originated in ancient Egypt. Almost immediately, she begins to have visions where she enters the body and mind of a stranger and guides them during a time of need. The asterism deep within the crystal has been trapped by time and retains the original purpose of the God's Wife of Amun.
In this way, my writing shows the crystal used to good effect, Liliha doesn't claim notoriety or payment, and she remains concealed—a secret philanthropist.
If we knew today would be our last day on earth, would we do anything differently? Best to make sure you give your utmost to each moment.
However, I don't want to know what will happen in the future. How about you?