It's worth mentioning that human perception can actually discern many phenomenon we like to think of as obfuscated. Refraction is one example of this; with refraction humans can discern the variable speed of light in a quantifiable way allowing us to make accurate calculations relating to light arriving from distant sources. We can also see properties like polarization that result from very minute qualia of EM.

My area of interest is in in nuclear/particle physics and this field offers similar realizations. We know that it's possible to use quantum entanglement to influence the neutron pathways that occur during nuclear fusion/fission. Now we have to address the fact modern science is starting to realize human consciousness is facilitated by quantum structures in DNA and synapses in the brain. If human minds are 'quantum state machines' then it would mean we can influence the atomic domain through observation. Indeed, the revelations of relativity and observer principles seems to support this notion (see double slit experiment for just one prominent example.)

Combining these ideas, you start to see connections with divination practices that predate even language. Geomantic divination often deals with gazing into crystals and through the surface of water to gain insight. What are crystals as they are found in nature? Most crystal humans access is smoky quartz, which is basically quartz that has been irradiated by fissile material so that its structure is slightly perturbed. The degree of this perturbation is not well understood by science because crystals appear to change their structure more than they ought to under radiation. They also retain this energy, causing the optical distortion effect.
Now realize virtually all inheritor cultures (old kingdom egypt, dynastic china, the still-unknown S. american prehistorical megacivilizations) produced some form of artificial quartz that was doped with nuclear material. 'Egyptian Faience.'