Scrying

"What is it you see?" "Images. Flashes."

- Taliesin and Merlin

Scrying is a magical skill that allows Seers to see visions in reflective surfaces such as water or crystal. It can be used to view events in the past, present, or future.

Hydromancy
Hydromancy was a form of scrying that used water as its medium. The High Priestess Nimueh was known to use this method; she often used a scrying fount to spy on her enemies (The Mark of Nimueh, The Poisoned Chalice).

To use this method, Nimueh allowed a few drops of her blood to drip into the water. She then chanted a spell and waved her hand over the water's surface, after which an image would appear (The Poisoned Chalice).

Though Nimueh claimed to have powers of prediction, she was never shown using her scrying fount to view anything but the present (Le Morte d'Arthur).

Merlin attempted to scry the Avalon Vial while he was trying to figure out its secrets (The Coming of Arthur).

After speaking with the Druid Seer Lochru, Merlin saw a vision of Arthur's death in a pool of water (Arthur's Bane).

The Disir were said to use an ancient pool to divine the will of the Triple Goddess. The pool was fed from a sacred spring at Caerlanrigh, the source of which was the Grove of Brineved (The Disir).

Crystal-Gazing
Crystal-gazing is a form of scrying that uses crystal as its medium. Morgause was known to use this method; like Nimueh, she often used scrying to spy on her enemies (The Sins of the Father, The Tears of Uther Pendragon).

Merlin has also been known to use this method. He saw a vision of Kilgharrah attacking Camelot in the Crystal of Neathid and of Morgana murdering Uther in the crystals of Crystal Cave (The Witch's Quickening, The Crystal Cave).

Unlike Morgause, who used spells for scrying, Merlin was able to see visions instinctively. He initially had no control over what he saw, but this changed after Morgana took away his magic and trapped him inside the Crystal Cave. After restoring his powers, Merlin was able to command the crystals to show him whatever he wanted to see. He was also able to telepathically speak to Arthur through the crystals and warn him about Morgana's plan (The Diamond of the Day).

The renowned Seer Taliesin was also said to have scried prophecies in the crystals of Crystal Cave (The Crystal Cave).

Known Spells

 * Used by Nimueh to view events in her scrying fount (The Mark of Nimueh, The Poisoned Chalice):
 * "Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, aliese hine, to Camelot he cymþ."
 * "Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, þa tacnian me yst þonne ieceþ sicle. Diegol cnytte, gewitte me yst, þa tacnian me yst þonne ieceþ sicle. Swilte ar ond calan, drædan morðor, to Camelot he cymþ."


 * Used by Morgause to view events in her crystal (The Sins of the Father):
 * "Hider eft funde. On þisse ne middangeard."
 * "Ætíe mé þá þé ic séce."


 * Used by Merlin while experimenting with the Avalon Vial (The Coming of Arthur):
 * "Geriht læc me."
 * "Fultume me."
 * "Geondlihte gesweorc min."


 * Used by the Disir to view Arthur's fate (The Disir):
 * "Heo cwaeth. Se wyrdes last bith ansiene. Nu syndon his folma blodige ond tha ne maeg he feormian. His endetime is on ofost. Heo cwaeth. Se wyrdes last bith ansiene. Nu syndon his folma blodige ond tha ne maeg he feormian. His endetime is on ofost."

Appearances

 * Series 1
 * The Mark of Nimueh
 * The Poisoned Chalice


 * Series 2
 * The Sins of the Father
 * The Witch's Quickening


 * Series 3
 * The Tears of Uther Pendragon
 * The Crystal Cave
 * The Coming of Arthur: Part Two


 * Series 5
 * Arthur's Bane: Part One
 * The Disir

Trivia

 * It is unknown whether scrying is an ability that only Seers possess or a skill that any sorcerer can learn. It is also unknown whether it is an innate ability similar to the gift of prophecy.
 * According to Kilgharrah, Mordred may be able to scry with the Crystal of Neahtid. However, whether he is actually able to do so is unknown (The Witch's Quickening).