Scrying Brew and Scrying Meditation

Cait Johnson

Witch in the Kitchen

    Samhain is the prime time for deep seeing, divination, magical workings and rituals of all kinds. Instead of making Halloween a holiday focused on sugar and scariness, we can remember the sacred roots of this night and try the following magical recipe.

Scrying Brew                 Serves 1

    The ancient Celts knew that spirits were abroad on Samhain, that magic was as thick as sweet-smelling smoke, perfuming the air with possibilities. This Celtic New Year's Eve is the perfect night for divination. The loving ancestors who surround you like a warm cloak to keep away the winter chill will look into the future with you to see what gifts and lessons lie in store, what choices you can make to ease the way.
    While many of us spend time with our runes and tarot cards tonight, there is an even simpler way to dialogue with the inner self, something that doesn't require any purchased cards, stones, or other props. It's called scrying, and it's something our own ancestors knew how to do. Scrying is simply gazing at any dark surface until mental chatter ceases and consciousness shifts. Wisdom may come in the form of actual images that seem to take shape on the surface, or pictures or words that form in your mind. Just about anything can be used as a scrying surface - the much touted crystal ball is one possibility, as are elaborate scrying mirrors. But even simple country people knew how to scry using pools of water, bowls of broth - or cups of tea. The special tea below will actually help you to scry. It's primary ingredient, the herb mugwort, is the divination ally of choice; so you can drink most of what's in your cup and then scry in the remainder. Happy Samhain!
    The herbs used in this tea are available from your local natural foods store, or from herbal companies by mail.

1 cup water
3 tablespoons or more dried mugwort (not only good for helping us to contact our inner wisdom, but also very relaxing)
1/4 cup dried oatstraw (good for the nerves; if the Halloween partying and trick-or-treating have left you feeling frazzled, oatstraw will be a comfort)
1 cinnamon stick, 2 to 3 inches long (for its delicious flavor)
Maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar (optional)

Boil the water, then add to a teapot into which the mugwort, oatstraw, and cinnamon stick have been placed. Steep for at least 15 minutes. Strain and pour into a dark colored mug, preferably black. Sweeten with maple syrup, honey, or brown sugar, if desired.

    Now, sit comfortably in your Power Place with your mug. Sniff your Scrying Brew, feeling the steam, warm as breath on your face. Take a sip and savor the earthy taste. As you sip, become aware of your breathing. Is it shallow or deep, quick or slow? As you drink, be with your breath without attempting to change it. When the tea is nearly gone, gradually turn your attention to the surface of the liquid remaining in your mug. Gaze at it without much effort, simply letting yourself be with the mug and the tea. The disk where tea meets air may look silvery if it catches a light's reflection. As you look, pay some dreamy attention to the thoughts that flash through your mind like fish. What are they? All over the world, people are scrying and dreaming tonight. What images do you see? Take as much time as you can. You may want to leave the remainder of the tea in its mug on your kitchen altar as an offering for you long-forgotten kindred who knew how to perform this ancient ritual.


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