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Crystal-gazing
From the point of view of the scryer telepathy can be of two kinds, experimental and spontaneous. -from "Telepathy" Perhaps the first comprehensive exploration of the ancient art of crystal gazing ever written-and still considered the best-this intriguing 1924 volume roams the history of civilization, from Greece and Rome to modern Europe to aboriginal Australia, to gather fascinating commonalities in the global practice of "scrying." Besterman, a student of the paranormal, . scrying in legend and tradition . scrying in literature . the procedures of scrying . related automatic writing, hauntings, and multiple personalities . why scrying works . and more. Also available from Cosimo Besterman's A Dictionary of Theosophy. British bibliographer, and editor Theodore Besterman (1904-1976) is remembered chiefly as a scholar of the philosopher Voltaire, though his interests ranged from anthropology to the paranormal. His many books include Annie A Modern Prophet and Divining An Experimental and Psychological Investigation.
Paperback
First published January 1, 1924
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Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review
June 27, 2026
An overview of the history of scrying, coupled with some then-modern tips on how to enjoy a bit of fortune telling.
Besterman has an encyclopedic knowledge on the topic, which I imagine was quite impressive in the pre-Wikipedia era. Today, the Besterman’s analysis of his library feels surface level — he will occasionally complain when a source is untrustworthy, but rarely spends more than a couple of sentences expounding on any given topic. Feels almost like a first draft of a thesis where the doctoral candidate has organized their research, but hasn’t written else yet.
The back half of the book is quite refreshing when compared to modern witchcraft books. Besterman concerns himself with the health and safety of his readers, such as providing tips to keep the reader from developing eye strain and migraines or how to avoid frauds. While he has an ulterior motive (he wants readers to send high quality data about their fortune telling experience to the SPR), he seems like he genuinely wants his readers to have a good experience at the same time. I also appreciated that Besterman is respectful of non-European cultures and religions, at least more so than expected for a writer in the 1920s.
Technically a three star read (maybe even a 2.5 star read), but it’s the exact type of book I needed to pull me out of my reading slump right now. So, four stars. Take that as you will.
Besterman has an encyclopedic knowledge on the topic, which I imagine was quite impressive in the pre-Wikipedia era. Today, the Besterman’s analysis of his library feels surface level — he will occasionally complain when a source is untrustworthy, but rarely spends more than a couple of sentences expounding on any given topic. Feels almost like a first draft of a thesis where the doctoral candidate has organized their research, but hasn’t written else yet.
The back half of the book is quite refreshing when compared to modern witchcraft books. Besterman concerns himself with the health and safety of his readers, such as providing tips to keep the reader from developing eye strain and migraines or how to avoid frauds. While he has an ulterior motive (he wants readers to send high quality data about their fortune telling experience to the SPR), he seems like he genuinely wants his readers to have a good experience at the same time. I also appreciated that Besterman is respectful of non-European cultures and religions, at least more so than expected for a writer in the 1920s.
Technically a three star read (maybe even a 2.5 star read), but it’s the exact type of book I needed to pull me out of my reading slump right now. So, four stars. Take that as you will.
Displaying 1 - 1 of 1 review