It is believed that this portion of the book will be found particularly
interesting because it is here that we touch upon spiritualism, perhaps
one of the most talked-of subjects of today.
In crystal gazing we actually see many things happen which maybe have
not happened as yet. In palmistry and astrology we see the signs but
not the actual events. Another distinct difference is that in crystal
gazing it is impossible to give definite instructions as to how to
receive these messages or visions because there is no "how."
What we hope to do in this chapter is to show you that perhaps you
possess powers of which you know nothing. Without making the foolish
mistake of taking this subject too seriously, you will be able to
interest and amuse your friends.
You may say, "But I haven't got this power--I could never see anything
in a crystal."
Don't say that, and don't think it! We all have a little of this power
sleeping within us. If we wish to improve it, we must use and practise
it, but don't overdo the thing.
To understand crystal gazing even a little, it is quite important to
know just a few simple facts about spiritualism (the study of the
spirit world.) This second sight, or clairvoyance (call it what you
will) is merely in its childhood as yet. A very short while ago we
should have thought it a miracle for anyone to speak from New York
to London along a wire. Now we think no more of it than we should of
crossing a road!
So with the crystal. At present a few of us only are able to see, more
or less clearly, those visions of the future. Who knows but that in
some future time we shall consider this quite an ordinary and natural
thing to do, just like telephoning, for instance.
The first thing to get hold of is this: we have not one body but two.
An earthly body and its exact copy in a spirit body. By this I do
not mean the soul, but rather our earthly body with all its features
just as before, is copied in a spirit of ether body. This may sound
difficult, but just try to grasp the idea.
In spiritualism there are two of each one of us; one an earthly you,
the other (dwelling usually in your earthly body) a spiritual you. But
sometimes this spirit body escapes from its earthly prison, maybe,
during sleep, sometimes when we look into the crystal, and sometimes
in what is called a trance or artificial sleep. It is then (when the
spirit body is free) that visions of future things are seen, and maybe
premonitions (or feelings) of the future are felt.
Our spirit body, with its ten thousand times more clear-sighted eyes,
sees things which are invisible to the earthly eyes. This body is able
to travel swiftly from place to place, although it always keeps a link
or connection with its earthly double.
When a person goes off into a trance, this is what has happened. The
earthly body sleeps while the spiritual body roams about the future,
past and present, or perhaps visits distant places. It is, of course,
able to speak with other spirit bodies, and thus get information about
other folk who have "passed over," as the spiritualists call death.
Now perhaps you can better appreciate the wonderful stories which you
hear about mediums (people who pass into these trances), who have
spoken--or are alleged to have spoken, for the verdict of science is
"Not proven"--with the voices of folk long dead, and whom they have
never seen.
While everyone does not actively possess this power of releasing his
spirit body, we all have it. That this is true can be seen in several
ways. Have you never had a presentiment or feeling of evil to come, a
strong feeling which it took all your determination and common sense to
drive away? Anyway, you will have frequently heard other people saying,
"I had a feeling that so-and-so would happen."
That feeling is explained by this wandering of the spirit body; for a
short time we have had our spirit eyes freely opened, and have gained
a glimpse of the unknown. As our spirit eyes are as yet undeveloped it
is but a glimpse, then down falls the thick curtain, and the mystery is
once more hidden from us!
Just as some children learn to walk more easily than others, so do some
people learn to walk with their spirit body and to speak the spirit
language more quickly than others.
Which seems very natural, doesn't it?
Let us briefly refresh our minds with the absolutely necessary facts
which you must know to understand the first steps in fortunetelling by
the crystal. What we are going to say next will then be more readily
understood:--
_FIRSTLY._--We have not one body but two, an earthly and a spiritual
body.
_SECONDLY._--Though normally contained in the earthly body, it is
possible for the spirit to escape from its prison, and pass from place
to place at a speed greater than light. This occurs during sleep, the
artificial or forced sleep of the trance, and also when one gazes into
the crystal.
_THIRDLY._--We have four eyes. Two earthly eyes, and two very much
keener spirit eyes. It is with these spirit eyes that we see the future
and the past in the crystal.
_FOURTHLY._--Each one of us is sending out thought-waves at this
moment. These are known by spiritualists as our aura. It is found
in different colors, which depend on our characters or the thoughts
leaving us. Certain reds show rage, for instance.