The Mootz Crystal Ball

Upon my grandfather’s passing in 1992, my relatives did not fight over money (there wasn’t any to be had), rather they went head to head over a piece of glass. No one knows where the hunk of green glass weighing in at about 5lbs came from, but it has been in my family since at least my great grandfather. My aunt, uncles and mother fondly remember it sitting in their grandfather’s living room under the television… the same place my own grandfather upon inheriting it placed it.

You might be saying to yourself, “A piece of glass – really?” But there is something truly profound about this hunk as it mesmerizes family, friends, acquaintances and strangers alike. As children we (my mom, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc) would stare into this glass for HOURS to which my grandfather would probe, “ What do you see??”. Unbeknownst to me at the time, we were scrying!! Hence, I have loving dubbed the glass “The Mootz Crystal Ball.”

You’re probably thinking, “Ok… so who got the glass after my grandfather’s passing?” In her wisdom, rather than making a decision right away my grandma Pat (my mom’s step-mother) gave the glass to my mother for ‘safe keeping’. For years it sat in my mother’s home and every Thanksgiving, the anniversary of my grandfather’s passing, a discussion took place over who ultimately would get this special piece.

It wasn’t until I started reading professionally that my mother and my aunt felt the “crystal ball” had chosen its owner. There was some hemming and hawing… but that settled quickly as according to my mom, the “glass had spoken.”

Until recently, this special heirloom has resided in my reading room and gone with me to every show and event.  At each event it attracts attention from readers and patrons alike, some calling it a unique crystal others commenting that it looks a little like a crystal skull. But for me, it’s been a reminder that my grandfather is with me spirit supporting me on my unique journey.

I have found recently however, as I step into my own with the confidence to state – “I am a medium,” that I need the glass less as a physical reminder of their support. As a result, like my grandfather and great grandfather the glass been moved from my reading room and has again taken its place in the living room… only rather than under the television you’ll find it under the wine rack. 

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