Some of the fragrances at Swords & Soapery begin with a name already in mind but some start out nameless like this one. 

I loved the idea of mixing crisp cucumber and cool aloe vera into a refreshing soap that would provide a gentle measure of wakefulness to my morning routine. When I made the first soap batch, I closed my eyes and breathed the fragrance deeply. It smelled invigorating, but with a mysteriousness I couldn’t quite place. 

I began to imagine flasks of special waters being poured into a scrying dish, one colorless the other with a faint greenish tint. I watched as the waters gently swirled around each other, never mixing, until they formed the shape of an eye in the center of the dish. The name came to me then – The Seer’s Eye.  

Mythology and fairy tales are loaded with crystal balls, magic mirrors, scrying waters, and other fascinating divination objects that allow us to find out what is happening somewhere - or somewhen - else. The evil queen has her mirror to ensure her beauty has no competition. Beast gives his own mirror to Belle to see how her father is doing without her. The Stygian Witches in Clash of the Titans had the all-seeing eye ("Give us back the eyyyyyyye"). Dumbledore uses his Pensieve to see others' memories and patterns of thought. 

And of course, Tolkien had the Palantiri (“Fool of a Took!”). 

These objects become part of our childhood fabric, but for those who love fantasy and the escape to other worlds, they become a critical element in worldbuilding - one that helps define the world of our latest adventure. They can give us hope or provide a terrifying opportunity for the enemy to gain an advantage. 

So bonus points to the wizard who finds one but woe unto the curious halfling who tries to use it! 

Until the next adventure….. 

Stephanie