Excerpt 2 from Crystal Gazing and Clairvoyance by John Melville circa 1896 1) Keep the crystal clean. If very dirty or discoloured treat it as follows:-Mix together six parts water and one of brandy. Boil them over a brisk fire, and let the crystal be kept in a boiling state about fifteen minutes. Then take out and rub carefully over with a brush dipped in the same liquor. Rub dry with chamois cloth.

2) The person for whom you are going to look, may hold it in their hands for a few minutes previous to its use, but no one else, except yourself.

3) If the crystal appears hazy or dull, it is a sign that you are likely to see; it will afterwards clear, and the form or vision becomes manifest. Immediately before the apparition is beheld, the crystal becomes coloured or darkened, or what some term "black." Presently this clears away, and the crystal becomes exceedingly bright, as if illuminated by an effulgence proceeding from its interior, doubtless due to the iron and magnetism dissemintaed throughout its constitution.

4) If you require to see events taking place at a great distance look lengthwise through the crystal.

The works of olden days insist upon elaborate ceremonial as follows:- (a) Use frequent ablutions (washings) and prayers, three or four days before consulting the crystal. (b) The MOON must be in her INCREASE, i.e., going towards the FULL. (This should never be neglected. It is of great importance to your success.) (c) When the SUN is in his greatest Northern declination is the best time, so far as regards his influence in the matter. (d) The room must be clean and neat, with nothing therein likely to disturb the attention, and should be kept locked when not in use. (e) The floor must be well scoured, or clean. Every preparations must be made during the Moon's increase. (f) Place in the room a small table, covered with a white linen cloth. (This if the experimenter does not use the ancient Lamen or Holy Table.) (See Plate II.) (g) A chair, and materials for a fire. The fire is for burning the usual perfumes. (h) Two wax cabdles in gilt or brass candlesticks, highly polished; a pair of compasses; twine; knife; scissors, etc.

The Crystal should be about 1 1/2 inch in diameter, or at least the size of a small orange. It should be enclosed in a frame of ivory, ebony, or boxwood, highly polished, or stood on a glass crystal pedestal. (See Plate III.) When following strictly the ancient methods described herein, the Crystal is to be stood upon the Lamen or table, but if simply held in the hand, its top end should lean away from the gazer, and should be held so that no reflections or shadows appear therein. If stood on the table, the folds of a black silk handkerchief may be arranged about the crystal so as to shut out reflections. The mystic names to be engraved in raised letters of gold round about the frame, according to some authorities, are:- On the N. Tetragrammaton " E. Emmanuel " S. Agla " W. Adonay