Look Into My Crystal Ball
Tattoo by Vicki Kochiss at Valkyrie Studios in Milford, Ct on HALLOWEEN (Post-Covid Stage 3)
So first things first, as an avid loved of the occult, horror movies, tarot cards, crystals and the general practice commonly know as witchcraft one would think I'd be tattooed on Halloween. I hadn't until this past Halloween. Halloween 2020, a massive full blue moon, the stronger energy force on the most energetically charged day of the year. I knew this one had to be simple and special.
So in walks Vicki! I'd seen her work on Instagram a lot and many people had recommended her and her new studio. So I show up to these bright teal walls (the same teal as my former basement, long story) and an equally balanced dark purple. These colors follow me to all the places that end up being meaningful. And if believe in signs then you know this was one.
Vicki was so welcoming and laid back and cheerful, well as cheerful as one can be during Halloween with The Misfits and Iron Maiden playing in the background and Friday the 13th #6 playing on the TV. So to me, cheerful and welcoming and instantly at ease. She designed the coolest little crystal ball to sit between my bat and my kitty kat Kalvin, she got it right the first time, had never met me or seen my face, she just go it. It felt meaningful to have someone get it right without direction but specifically this one. The nature of the crystal ball itself lends it to the idea that there is a deeper internal knowing and energetic connection that needs to be meaningful for it to work.
So, why a crystal ball? Well....they've been documented as being used since the 1s Century BC as a scrying tool. Scrying has been documented as being used across many ancient religions including most polytheistic religions: Druids, Egyptians, Greeks, Buddhism, and the original Mormons. Most notably Queen Elizabeth the 1st's royal adviser used alchemy and scrying with a crystal ball as part of his political advising. Many museums have had ancient crystal balls stolen from them including the Quartz Crystal Ball from Burma, the third largest in the world which had been stolen from Philadelphia University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archeology and Anthropology. And Nancy Reagan notably sought council from a crystal ball gazer when she made her husbands schedules.
My favorite crystal ball is in the Scepter of Scotland, rumored to have been originally owned by the Pagan Druids and it absolutely breathtaking in person. My second favorite belongs to my friend Susan. She has this beautiful selenite crystal ball. I remember holding it once and feeling this wonderful sense of calm and like I was holding a current of energy. So I got my own shortly after and it sits at the end of our hallway as a way to balance the energy in our home. I also think of the John William Waterhouse paintings depicting images from King Arthur including Morgan LeFey, The Lady of The Lake and Guinevere each seen holding crystal balls.
Most of all, as a child of partial Eastern European and partial Celtic descent there is an innate connection to magic, a drawing to and being pulled in. My grandmothers and mother raised me with both the history and the magic of coming from people rich in history, mysticism and persecution based on their mysticism. And so I am reminded that this crystal ball, ironically created by a Valkyrie herself, is really about an ancient connection I have to my roots, my ancestors and my most inner knowing of who I truly am.
