Crystal Vision Through Crystal Gazing

About This Publication

Crystal Vision Through Crystal Gazing: Or, The Crystal as a Stepping-Stone to Clear Vision by Frater Achad (Charles Stansfeld Jones) is a hands-on guide to crystal gazing, first published in 1923 by the Yogi Publication Society. The book draws on Hermeticism, ceremonial magic, and Western occult philosophy. It explains that crystal gazing is more than just divination; it is a disciplined way to develop intuition, clairvoyance, and higher states of consciousness. Achad says that the visions seen in the crystal come from awakening hidden psychic abilities in the practitioner, not from the crystal itself.

The book starts by covering the basics of crystallomancy. It explains how to prepare your mind, set up your space, and look into the crystal without straining or forcing your focus. These first steps help calm the mind and create the open mental state needed for real psychic perception.

As students move forward, Achad shares advanced techniques to deepen the experience beyond basic visions. He explains how practice shifts from the “Lesser Crystal Sphere,” where the crystal is the main focus, to the “Greater Crystal Sphere,” where the practitioner gains direct access to higher consciousness and spiritual awareness. Over time, the crystal becomes less important as the mind learns to perceive without outside help.

Throughout the book, Achad puts crystal gazing in a wider historical context. He looks at the methods used by earlier practitioners like the Elizabethan magicians Dr. John Dee and Edward Kelley. Instead of treating their practices as oddities, he sees them as steps in a long tradition of Western esoteric training focused on developing clairvoyant abilities.

Achad explains that the physical crystal is just a temporary tool, a “stepping-stone” to awakening what he calls the Greater Crystal within. As concentration, visualization, and spiritual goals grow stronger, the practitioner moves beyond needing the crystal. True vision, Achad says, comes from the soul’s awakened consciousness, not from any outside object.

“Fortunately the Soul of man is Plastic and unlike the Hard Crystal Globe, may be easily worked upon and re-moulded nearer to the heart’s desire.”

Charles Stansfeld Jones

Charles Stansfeld Jones (1886–1950), known as Frater Achad, was a Canadian occultist, ceremonial magician, and author. He became one of the first and most influential interpreters of Thelema, the religious and philosophical system started by Aleister Crowley. Jones was originally trained as an accountant and became interested in Spiritualism early on. He discovered Crowley’s writings in The Equinox. In 1909, he joined Crowley’s magical order, the A∴A∴, as the twentieth Probationer and took the Hebrew motto Achad, meaning “unity,” which became his well-known name.

Jones moved quickly through Crowley’s magical system and became one of his closest followers. In 1916, after Jones claimed the grade of Magister Templi, Crowley saw him as his long-expected “magical child” and spiritual heir. Crowley believed that Jones’ mystical achievements fulfilled prophecies in The Book of the Law. Jones’ unique interpretations of Thelemic teachings, especially his work on the Qabalistic symbolism in Liber AL vel Legis, had a strong impact on Crowley’s later views.

Outside of his work with the A∴A∴, Jones played a key role in organizing the Ordo Templi Orientis (O.T.O.) in North America. He set up British Columbia Lodge No. 1 and helped bring the Order’s initiatory system to Canada and the United States. Although he and Crowley later disagreed over doctrine, money, and leadership, Jones stayed active in the occult revival. He served as National Grand Master for North America for a time before they eventually parted ways.

Jones was always interested in psychic development, ceremonial magic, and Western esotericism. In his books, like Crystal Vision Through Crystal Gazing, he described practices such as crystal gazing, visualization, and clairvoyance as ways to develop higher states of consciousness, not just as fortune-telling. In the 1920s, he joined the Universal Brotherhood and later became its Mahaguru. He eventually converted to Roman Catholicism but continued to study mystical philosophy throughout his life.

Today, Frater Achad is seen as one of the most original occult thinkers of the early twentieth century. His writings and leadership in several important esoteric groups helped shape modern ceremonial magic, Thelemic philosophy, and Western occultism. His books, published by the Yogi Publication Society, introduced many people to practical ways of developing psychic and spiritual abilities.