History Main / CrystalBall

* ''Literature/EnchantedForestChronicles'''s ''Dealing With Dragons'': The King's Crystal is owned by the King of Dragons, is in the form of a crystal plate, and was used for divination and scrying. Heroine Cimorene expresses surprise over it not being a traditional ball shape, only to be told by Kazul that the odd shape gave it more range and power.

* ''Series/{{Battlestar Galactica|2003}}'' has a prophetess in New Caprica use a bowl of water to divine the future for Number Three. Then there's the Cylon's UnusualUserInterface, which consists of placing their hands in streams of water; and the prophetic Hybrids in the baseships, who are submerged in water.

** In "Family", Buffy can't decide what to give Tara for her birthday. Because she's a witch, Xander suggests a "cheesy crystal ball" as a present, only to learn Giles already has one wrapped. At the birthday party we see Tara faking a smile as she unwraps the ball. According to Anya crystal balls were popular with amateurs, which explains why an experienced witch like Tara isn't impressed by them.
** In "Hells Bells", Future Xander uses one to show his younger self the BadFuture that awaits him if he marries Anya. [[spoiler:He's actually a vengeance demon out to ruin their marriage with illusions.]]

* ''Series/{{Merlin|2008}}'':

* The fortune teller in ''Series/TheMonkees'' episode "Monkee See, Monkee Die" has one at the seance (& another one that's just a snowglobe).

* CyberGreen: Gamerglitch, being powered by green Kazoom energy, is a video game-themed Kazoom Kid that is neon green in color. One of her partners, Negabyte, a Game Boy-styled [=SuperThing=], has a green screen, also fitting the theme.

* In ''Literature/TheArtsOfDarkAndLight'', the [[StateSec royal wizards]] of [[TheEmpire Savondir]] use crystal balls to observe events from afar, in a way that invokes both fantasy archetypes and more modern SinisterSurveillance.

* In ''Literature/{{Cerberon}}'', these are called scryballs. They are used to view other locations, communicate with other scryballs like a telephone, or to spy through uncovered scry balls. Aladavan keeps a miniature scry ball on a chain around his neck, which he keeps under his shirt when he's not using it. He's able to easily spy on and track Thedrik because his sword has a small scryball on the pommel, which Thedrik never covers. Scryblocks are employed to prevent people from using scryballs to spy on them, and to protect against mental eavesdropping.

* In ''TabletopGame/ResArcana'', the male version of the {{Seer|s}} uses a crystal ball.

** Pensieves fulfill a similar function, enabling the user to store and relive memories. And the memories in the Pensieve (when not actually using it) are described as halfway between silvery water and gas.

** Rose and Jade use crystal balls for remote viewing; Jade combines hers with a super computer so that she can remote view all possible locations at once.

* Rose and Jade use crystal balls for remote viewing; Jade combines hers with a super computer so that she can remote view all possible locations at once.

* Early on, in ''Webcomic/AdorableDesolation'', Shopclerk peers into [[http://adorabledesolation.comicgenesis.com/d/20081117.html one]], first he sees a vision of a skull and then the Crystal Ball cracks in half.

* ''Webcomic/{{Homestuck}}'' has both Rose and Jade using crystal balls for remote viewing; Jade combines hers with a super computer so she can remote view all possible locations at once.
** There's also the Magic Cue Ball which answers any question it's asked, but unlike a Magic 8 Ball, the Magic Cue Ball is completely opaque and the answers to its questions can be seen only by using some sort of special power to see inside of it.

* Xykon from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' uses one to scry upon the heroes regularly. It's even widescreen. And has screen within screen. ''And'' [[BlandNameProduct Teevo]] so he can record them while he isn't around. It also recommends other heroes and MacGuffin quests he might enjoy watching.
* ''Webcomic/PrincessPrincess'': Claire spies on Sadie, Amira and Vladric using one.

* Jackson Adler of ''[[http://thewretchedoneswebcomic.com The Wretched Ones]]'' uses one of these to tell Nicholas Thomas' fortune. He doesn't see anything.
* In ''Webcomic/YokokasQuest'', [[FortuneTeller Blinky]] uses a crystal ball to determine Yokoka's and Grace's elemental affinities, and also wordlessly reveals her own [[ThirdEye Dreams (Fortune)]] element when she touches it.

* [[FortuneTeller Konoka and Anya]] in ''Manga/NegimaMagisterNegiMagi'' sometimes use these (strange in Konoka's case, since she uses [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Ching eastern-style]] fortune telling). Evangeline uses hers to communicate over a long distance like a phone.

* Fabia of ''Manga/MagicalGirlLyricalNanohaVivid'' has one for scrying purposes [[spoiler:and is shown using one to spy on Hayate and the Vivid cast while they're talking about Ancient Belka]].
* Both Queen Beryl and Wiseman/Death Phantom had those in ''Franchise/SailorMoon''.
* Ultear in ''Manga/FairyTail'' uses a crystal ball as her [[WeaponSpecialization weapon of choice]], using her TimeMaster magic to turn it into a PinballProjectile and doubles as a communication lacrima.
* ''Manga/JojosBizarreAdventureStardustCrusaders'': DIO uses his duplicate of Hermit Purple on a crystal ball in Polnareff's flashback. He makes the ball show an image of J. Geil, in order to convince Polnareff to follow him. He's never seen to do so again, however; DIO's use of Hermit Purple (of which this is the second and final example) is one of the series' most famous {{Plot Hole}}s.

* ''ComicBook/JudgeDredd'': In a Dark Judges story published in ''New Scientist'', "No Future", Judge Death and his cohorts are seen observing Judges Dredd and Anderson through a crystal ball from their home dimension.

* In the ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fanfic ''Fanfic/{{Flutterspy}}'', Fleur de Lis uses crystal balls as monitors.

* In another ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' fic ''Fanfic/LovedAndLost'', Vivian uses a crystal ball to show Twilight Sparkle [[spoiler:her parents [[IHaveYourWife who are being held]] in [[BigBad Jewelius']] dungeons]].

* ''Fanfic/InfinityTrainBoilingPoint'': One of Boscha's denizen partners is a sentient crystal ball named Chris.

* Madam Estrella, the gypsy fortuneteller used one when she wasn't creating or commanding ''Film/TheIncrediblyStrangeCreatures'' (of [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 MST3K]] fame), you feelthy peeg!
* In''Film/TheBarbarians'', Ibar, the future substitute leader of the Ragni tribe, is shown holding on to one in the opening. Whether the thing could predict the future is never answered, as it is used as a magical grenade against the villains.
* ''Film/ImNoAngel'' (1933).
-->'''Fortune Teller:''' ''[peering into his crystal ball]'' Ahh, you have a wonderful future. I see a man in your life.\\
'''Creator/MaeWest:''' What, only one?
* Early on in ''Film/DeathstalkerIIDuelOfTheTitans'', Princess Evie uses a crystalline object to see into the future that evokes this. The film being a low-budget BMovie ([[AffectionateParody and wearing that]] [[NarmCharm reputation on its sleeve]]), the prop used was in fact a doorknob.

* Creator/IsaacAsimov's "Literature/WhatIf1952": Mr If has a foggy plane of glass that shows a clear image when you ask it a question about "[[AlternateUniverse what might have been]]?" While our protagonists are watching, they suddenly find themselves experiencing the scene directly, as if it was a FlashBack.

* In Creator/VictoriaHanley's ''Literature/TheSeerAndTheSword'', a crystal is need to trigger Torina's abilities.

* Creator/RobertEHoward's ''Franchise/ConanTheBarbarian'':
** "Literature/TheScarletCitadel": The BigBad has a crystal ball, while another sorcerer says it's a toy, but one which is useful when you have no time for something serious.
** "Literature/AWitchShallBeBorn": The witch holds crystal balls in contempt as a means to study, but uses it for communications.
--->''I could never endure to seclude myself in a [[GoldMakesEverythingShiny golden]] tower, and spend the long hours staring into a crystal globe, mumbling over incantations written on [[EyeOfNewt serpent's skin]] in the [[ThePowerOfBlood blood]] of [[VirginPower virgins]], poring over [[TomeOfEldritchLore musty volumes in forgotten languages]].''
*** Later she sends a crystal ball with the army she's sent to crush Conan, to keep her informed on what's going on. The man at the other end lives long enough to deliver exposition on how they've been LuredIntoATrap before [[DeathByTransceiver someone cuts him down]].

* Creator/StephenKing's ''Franchise/TheDarkTower'': The thirteen color-coded crystal balls of the Wizard's Rainbow are each a corrupting ArtifactOfDoom.

* Creator/MichaelReaves's ''Literature/TheShatteredWorld'': The "casting sphere" is used by inhabitants of the still-liveable, orbiting fragments of a fantasy world that broke apart long ago. Such spheres are constructed of pieces of polished wood, coral, ivory or crystal, that fit together like a 3-D jigsaw. The crystal ball concept is combined with lot-casting concepts by having each piece represent one of the fragments; when the hollow sphere is dropped, its pieces scatter into patterns from which future events can be divined.

* In Creator/GeneWolfe's ''Literature/TheSorcerersHouse'', the psychic has a fake crystal ball that sees good stuff and the real thing.
* ''Literature/PrincessesOfThePizzaParlor'': In ''Princesses in the Darkest Depths'', the enemy [[OurKoboldsAreDifferent kobolds]] have a cracked up one that can still be used for spying on their enemies.
* ''Literature/TheReluctantKing'': In the third book, a wizard spies on the enemy forces besieging his city using such a scrying device. He succeeds in learning of what their plans are, and thus saves them due to Jorian using this intelligence for an effective defense.
* ''Literature/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' shows a crystal ball being used in ways that is uncommon for crystal balls normally, [[spoiler:like manipulating footage to [[ManipulativeEditing make it look like you're killing royal guards and kidnapping the princess]].]]

* ''Franchise/PowerRangers'':
** The Viewing Globe in the original ''Series/MightyMorphinPowerRangers'' was one, which Zordon used to alert the Rangers to the latest MonsterOfTheWeek and what it was doing so that they could morph up and deal with it.
** ''Series/PowerRangersMysticForce'' also has one, able to detect dark magic anywhere in the world and reveal its source.
* The fortune teller in ''Series/TheMonkees'' episode "Monkee See, Monkee Die" has one at the seance (& another one that's just a snowglobe).

* [[Series/UltramanLeo Commander Black]] summons Flying Saucer Creatures using one of these.
* ''Series/TheGoodies'' are putting on a PhonyPsychic act.
-->"I look into my crystal ball, and what do I see? Parliament House in a snowstorm!" ''[shakes snow globe of Parliament House]''
* ''Series/BuffyTheVampireSlayer'':
** In "Family", Buffy can't decide what to give Tara for her birthday. Because she's a witch, Xander suggests a "cheesy crystal ball" as a present, only to learn Giles already has one wrapped. At the birthday party we see Tara faking a smile as she unwraps the ball. According to Anya crystal balls were popular with amateurs, which explains why an experienced witch like Tara isn't impressed by them.
** In "Hells Bells", Future Xander uses one to show his younger self the BadFuture that awaits him if he marries Anya. [[spoiler:He's actually a vengeance demon out to ruin their marriage with illusions.]]
** An Orb of Thesulah can be used to hold someone's soul (or serve as a [[GrailInTheGarbage New Age paperweight]]).

* There are several Crystal Balls in ''VideoGame/{{Loom}}'', all of which are used for [[{{Seers}} telling the future]] (and learning new drafts).

* Nigel gets his fortune told in one in ''VideoGame/TheLostCrown: A Ghost-Hunting Adventure''. Later, he and Lucy use one as the centerpiece for a séance, and receive a vision of what happened to [[spoiler: Hardacre]].
* The casual game ''VideoGame/AdventuresOfRobinsonCrusoe'' includes a minigame where you must identify pictures in a crystal ball, using as small an area of the picture as possible.
* One acts as a map in ''VideoGame/TheAdventuresOfRobinHood''.

* In ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyI'' the BlindSeer Matoya uses one called the Crystal Eye to see, which gets stolen by the [[OurElvesAreDifferent Dark Elf]] king Astos as part of his plan to TakeOverTheWorld. Early on in the game the party has to retrieve it so Matoya can undo the curse Astos put on the Elven Prince.

* ''VideoGame/AVeryLongRopeToTheTopOfTheSky'': A Crystal Ball is an Accessory that boosts Spirit by 50, and its FlavorText says:
-->"Vague images of the future are projected inside."
* A Crystal Ball is one of the many [[AnInteriorDesignerIsYou furniture items]] in ''VideoGame/{{Terraria}}''. Interacting with it gives the player a temporary boost to their magic power.

* ''VideoGame/{{Okami}}'': Queen Himiko uses a giant and very powerful one, allowing her to figure out a way to predict where Oni Island will appear next. [[spoiler:She succeeds, but only after sacrificing her life]].
* The Crystal Ball item in ''VideoGame/WarcraftIII'' allows the user to temporarily reveal any part of the map.
* Madam Mushka of ''VideoGame/KingsQuestVAbsenceMakesTheHeartGoYonder'' uses a crystal ball to show Graham what happened to his family, specifically the wizard Mordack threatening a shrunken Alexander to restore his brother Manannan to human form.
* In ''VideoGame/{{Transylvania}}'', you find a crystal ball behind a locked door in a cavern. Gazing into it reveals a figure garbed in a cloak and a ring approaching a statue in the woods and causing it to explode with a wave of his hand. You can find the same crystal in the sequel ''The Crimson Crown'', and it instead allows you to communicate with the villainous Vampire, whose power eventually causes it to shatter.
* ''VideoGame/TheBindingOfIsaac'' has [[https://bindingofisaacrebirth.fandom.com/wiki/Crystal_Ball an item of the same name]]. It's an active item that reveals most of the floor's map (except the Super Secret Room and Ultra Secret Room in ''Repentance''), and additionally spawns a soul heart (temporary health)[=/=]tarot card, much like a Fortune Telling Machine would. For [[InfinityPlusOneSword how powerful the item is]], however, it is extremely rare, as it can be found only by using a Fortune Telling Machine a vast number of times and hoping the item drops when the machine is destroyed. Essentially, [[PurposelyOverpowered it's a portable Fortune Telling Machine but much better]].

* ''VideoGame/SoulCaliburV'': Viola is amnesiac fortune teller whose [[WeaponSpecialization weapon of choice]] is a floating glass orb. She was likely the inspiration for the aforementioned Menat.

* Xykon from ''Webcomic/TheOrderOfTheStick'' uses one to scry upon the heroes regularly. It's even widescreen. And has screen within screen. ''And'' [[BlandNameProduct Teevo]] so he can record them while he isn't around. It also recommends other heroes and MacGuffin quests he might enjoy watching.

* ''WebComic/PrincessPrincess'': Claire spies on Sadie, Amira and Vladric using one.
* ''Webcomic/TrueVillains'': Xaneth's basketball-sized crystal ball grants him SurveillanceAsThePlotDemands and lets him play MissionControl for his evil minions; Sebastian later works out how to use it for SympatheticMagic as well. It's actually a crystal eye granted by Xaneth's patron God of Knowledge.
* ''Webcomic/{{Housepets}}'': Tarot uses a crystal ball. It stops working after she loses her status as Dragon's avatar. It turns out that she is using an extremely outdated model so she buys a new one that instead resembles a tablet and has a lot more features.
* In ''Webcomic/ElGoonishShive'':
** This is used to frame a sketch of a then future [[https://www.egscomics.com/comic/2003-01-31 story comic]] and thus from a chronological reader's perspective tells the future in [[http://www.egscomics.com/sketchbook/?date=2003-01-30 this filler comic]].
** Nanase can use marbles as [[http://www.egscomics.com/index.php?id=847 them]] to perform remote viewing. [[spoiler:In her fairy form]] to keep an eye on [[spoiler: her real body]].

* ''WebAnimation/DrCrafty'' has a living variant with the FortuneTeller Madame Crystelle. The ball serves as a NonHumanHead while the rest of her body is an extension of her magic. She even admits that it's a much more attractive form than just sitting on a desk collecting dust.
* The "[[https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/pondering-my-orb Pondering My Orb]]" meme depicts a [[WizardClassic hooded, bearded wizard]] looking into a crystal ball. The picture was originally created as the cover art for a {{gamebook}} called ''Middle-Earth Quest: A Spy In Isengard'', and is presumably depicting Saruman and the Palantír.

* In the ''Series/{{ALF}}'' cartoon episode, "Housekeeping for Pokipsi", Madam Pokipsi the "Fortune Smeller" has a Magic Ball that is not used only for divination, but is the source of ''all'' her arcane powers; when Gordon messes with it, he ruins her magic tricks ("Vhat haf you done ma Crystal Bawwwwl, Yunk Mayun?").
* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Thundercats 2011}}'' the Sword of Omens is a hybrid of this and a MagicMirror. Staring through the sword prompts the spherical cabochon [[PowerCrystal Eye of Thundera]] in its hilt to send a vision visible in the BladeReflection.

* ''WesternAnimation/{{Disenchantment}}'' features a crystal ball that normally acts like a Magic8Ball, responding to questions with vague single word statements. However, when a giantess uses it as a GlassEye she is suddenly able to see what everyone is thinking but not saying, [[spoiler: and Luci accidentally figures out how to make it replay past events.]]
* In Season 9 of ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'', Grogar employs a magic sphere looking very similar to a [[Literature/TheLordOfTheRings Palantir]] -- except the "iris" part is vertical, like a goat's, unlike the common slitted "eye of Sauron" representation. With it, he provides shadow imagery of the past to illustrate his backstory, and witnesses Sombra's defeat at the hooves of the Mane Six. Presumably, it's this artifact that allowed him to stay updated of the latest events in Equestria, including the deeds of the villains he gang-pressed in his service, as well as the modus operandi of the heroes.
* ''WesternAnimation/{{Kaeloo}}'':
** In Episode 37, Kaeloo uses a crystal ball to contact spirits. It is never revealed [[MaybeMagicMaybeMundane whether the ball really works or not]], since Kaeloo's "predictions" were events that happen OnceAnEpisode on the show.
** In Episode 90, Mr. Cat, as a sorcerer, uses a crystal ball to see where Kaeloo is and what she's doing.
* On ''WesternAnimation/HeManAndTheMastersOfTheUniverse1983'', along with the MagicMirror, these are extremely popular with wizards. In fact, both Skeletor and Evil-Lyn have crystal balls on the ends of their MagicStaff and MagicWand respectively. Plus, Skeletor has a larger domed one set into the conference table in Snake Mountain.

* In the original version of ''Ride/JourneyIntoImagination'', one scene has Dreamfinder and Figment look through a crystal ball (with the latter using a magnifying glass to do so).

* ''LightNovel/TheRisingOfTheShieldHero'' shows a crystal ball being used in ways that is uncommon for crystal balls normally, [[spoiler:like say manipulating footage to make it look like you're killing royal guards and kidnapping the princess.]]

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Thundercats 2011}}'' the Sword of Omens is a hybrid of this and a MagicMirror. StaringThroughTheSword prompts the spherical cabochon [[PowerCrystal Eye of Thundera]] in its hilt to send a vision visible in the BladeReflection.

** ''VideoGame/StarOcean1: Fantastic Space Odyssey'': Mavelle Froesson uses magic orbs as her WeaponOfChoice. She mostly uses it to smack the enemy, though.

* ''VideoGame/SoulCaliburV'': Viola is amnesiac fortune teller whose WeaponOfChoice is a floating glass orb. She was likely the inspiration for the aforementioned Menat.

* Ultear in ''Manga/FairyTail'' uses one as her WeaponOfChoice, using her TimeMaster magic to turn it into a PinballProjectile and doubles as a communication lacrima.