212 THE CURIOUS LORE OF PRECIOUS STONES
the
gazer was naturally of a critical turn of mind, and was disposed to
distrust sensual impressions; hence the glass became a disturbing
influence, interfering with or even completely obliterating the
eye-picture.
Many
attempts have been made to establish distinctions between the
different materials used for crystals, proceeding on the theory that
subtle emanations from them affected the gazer and played an important
part in producing the desired vision. That the beryl produced a greater
number of these visions than any other mineral was the old belief which
is still upheld in some quarters to-day; one scryer, indeed, asserts
that his clearest and most satisfactory visions were seen in a cube of
blue beryl, the beautiful color appearing to dispose the soul to a
harmonious unfolding of its latent aptitudes.49
Among
the instructions given to a would-be crystal gazer, the question of a
proper and wholesome diet is not overlooked, as anything which tends to
disturb the serenity of the organism will also interfere with the due
exercise of the special clairvoyant faculty that expresses itself in
crystal visions. A curious special recommendation made by one of the
exponents of the art is that good results can be had by drinking an
infusion of mug-wort (Artemisia vulgaris), or of chicory (Cichorium intybus), because
of their tonic and antibilious qualities. Moreover, we are told that
these herbs are under the influence of the zodiacal sign Libra, the
sign controlling the virtues of the beryl.50 Above all the
portion of the lunar month when the moon is on the increase is said to
be far the best season for scrying, as the old astrologers recognized
an affinity between the moon and rock-crystal.
• Shepharial, "The Crystal and the Seer," London [1900?], p. 14. "John Melville, "Crystal Gazing," London, 1910, pp. 20, 21.
