Seer Stones and Divination in 19th-Century America

Explore the practice of using seer stones for divination, a significant part of folk magic and religious traditions in early America.

By Garret Merkley · Explainer · Jun 5, 2026

Branched from How Joseph Smith Translated the Book of Mormon Using a Seer Stone

Quick take

Seer stones were naturally occurring objects used for divination, a widespread practice in 19th-century American folk magic.
Users would peer into the stone, often in a dark container, to 'see' visions, words, or symbols for guidance.
These stones were believed to help locate lost items, diagnose illnesses, and even receive divine revelation.
Their use reflects a cultural reliance on supernatural means for answers in a time before widespread scientific understanding.

Seer stones were naturally occurring, often polished, stones used as tools for divination—the practice of seeking knowledge of the future or the unknown through supernatural means. In 19th-century America, these stones were a common element of folk magic, believed to enable individuals to "see" hidden information, communicate with spirits, or interpret divine will. They were not unique objects, but rather everyday stones imbued with special significance by their users.

How Seer Stones Were Used for "Seeing"

The process of using a seer stone, often called "scrying," was deeply personal and varied among practitioners. Typically, the user would place the stone into a hat, cup, or other dark container to block out ambient light and create a focused, dark viewing environment. By peering intently into the stone, individuals believed they could perceive images, words, or symbols forming either within the stone itself or in their mind's eye. This "sight" was often described as a spiritual vision rather than literal optical perception, requiring interpretation by the seer.

The information sought through seer stones covered a wide range of concerns common to daily life in early America. People used them to locate lost objects, like tools or runaway livestock, to find buried treasure, diagnose illnesses, or even to find missing persons. For some, particularly within emerging religious movements, seer stones transcended these mundane uses and became instruments for receiving divine revelation, translating ancient texts, or discerning God's will.

Seer stones and divination played a crucial role in the cultural and spiritual landscape of 19th-century America, especially in rural frontier communities. In an era before widespread scientific and medical advancements, many individuals turned to folk magic and supernatural practices for answers to life's uncertainties and challenges. The ability of a seer to "see" through a stone often lent them significant authority and trust within their community, whether they were helping a neighbor find a lost item or guiding a religious congregation. This practice highlights a worldview where the spiritual and material realms were closely intertwined, and divine or hidden knowledge was believed to be accessible through specific tools and gifted individuals.

Were seer stones a new invention in the 19th century?

No, the practice of using stones or other objects for scrying and divination has ancient roots, appearing in various cultures around the world for thousands of years. The 19th century saw its continuation and specific application within American folk traditions.

How did people acquire seer stones?

Seer stones were often naturally occurring stones, like river rocks, geodes, or polished quartz, found in the environment. Some were simply discovered, others were gifted, and certain individuals believed their stones were divinely provided or specifically chosen for their purpose.

Was the use of seer stones widely accepted in society?

While common in certain folk traditions and among specific religious groups, the practice was not universally accepted. It often existed on the fringes of mainstream society and was sometimes viewed with skepticism, suspicion, or even condemnation by more orthodox religious leaders or those embracing emerging scientific thought.

What's the difference between a seer stone and a crystal ball?

Both are used for scrying, but traditionally, seer stones were often opaque, naturally found stones (like jasper or obsidian) and were frequently used in a dark container. Crystal balls, conversely, are typically clear, polished spheres of quartz or glass, and are usually gazed into directly.