Mirror Magick

The mirror is a powerful tool that is often neglected in magickal workings and spellcraft. Most Witches are familiar with using a black mirror for scrying purposes, but a traditional silvered mirror is also quite useful.

First, let’s look at the history of the Mirror.

The first mirrors used by people were most likely pools of dark, still water, or water collected in a primitive vessel of some sort. The earliest manufactured mirrors were pieces of polished stone such as Obsidian, a naturally occurring volcanic glass. Examples of Obsidian mirrors have been dated to around 6000 BC. Mirrors of polished copper and bronze soon followed, and were considered a luxury. The invention of the silvered glass mirror is credited to German chemist Justus Von Liebig in 1835. His process involved the deposition of a thin layer of metallic silver onto glass through the chemical reduction of silver nitrate. This silvering process was adapted for mass manufacturing and led to the greater availability of affordable mirrors. Nowadays, mirrors are often produced by the vacuum deposition of aluminum or silver directly onto the glass substrate.

Mirrors are said to be a reflection of the Soul, and are often used in traditional Witchcraft as tools for Scrying. It is believed by some that “mirrors do not lie”, since a mirror reflects things as they truly are and brings us ‘face to face’, so to speak, with reality. While this is true to a certain degree, this is not all. As Witches, we influence and change our reality through Magick. A mirror can be used to reflect your deepest desire, call forth an animal totem, or can be used as a springboard to ricochet energy into the Universe to manifest your goals. I will give an example of how to do these things later.

For my own spellwork, I like to use a round silvered mirror that is at least 6 inches in diameter. That is just my preference, the mirror can be larger if you like. A mirror that is extremely large or small will be impractical, as it must be placed in a stand or laid flat on an altar/table. You can find flat mirrors in various sizes at arts-and-crafts stores, and they are inexpensive. If you have a framed mirror that you like, that is also appropriate. Before you use it, however, it must first be cleansed and dedicated for magickal use. To make a formal cleansing and dedication of your mirror, use a Pennyroyal or Hyssop infusion.

To Prepare The Infusion: Use 1-2 teaspoons of the dried herb per cup. Add boiling water to fill the cup, stir, and cover. Leave for at least 10 minutes, strain the herbs, and place them in a container. Stir the strained liquid again and leave it to cool. You can make some in advance and keep it bottled in the fridge for about a week. Place the strained herbs outside near a tree as an offering to the Earth. Before using your mirror, place your infusion in a small bowl. Dip your index finger of the hand you write with into the liquid, in the center on the surface of the mirror. Draw an Earth-Banishing Pentagram for protection and cleansing, and then an Earth-Invoking Pentagram on top of it to empower your mirror. Be careful not to ingest anything from your finger. Then, polish the mirror with a clean, white natural fabric cloth you keep for this purpose, asking for blessings on your work from the Goddess and God, or any specific deities you work with. Polish the mirror with deosil (clockwise) movements to open it, and widdershins (counter-clockwise) movements to close it down. Cover the mirror with a black cloth when not in use.

When doing spellcraft with a mirror, use only natural light such as candlelight, Moonlight, or soft Sunlight during the “in between” times: early morning, late afternoon, Sunset, Midnight, Dawn, Dusk, New Moon, or Full Moon. Place candles where they cannot be seen in the mirror, to the sides and behind it, but still reflect light and shadow onto it’s surface. Turn the mirror slightly so that you do not see your own reflection. When doing mirror magick during a waxing or Full Moon, I like to use White candles. During a waning or Dark Moon, I use black candles. Light incense near the mirror. Some folks recommend Frankincense & Myrrh or Jasmine for mirror magick, but I like to burn Dragon’s Blood or Rose Musk.

To Reflect Your Heart’s Desire In A Mirror

During your ritual, place the mirror in a stand so that it is upright. What is your heart’s desire? What do you seek to manifest? A fulfilling relationship? A new job or career? Place items around the mirror that correspond to what you want. They could be pictures from a magazine, a drawing of yourself enjoying this goal, or any corresponding herbs and crystals. Sprinkle the herbs all around the mirror, and place the crystals in front of it. (If you’re unsure of which ones to use, consult the Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs and Crystal, Gem and Metal Magic, both by Scott Cunningham). The next step is to take some long, deep breaths and bring yourself into a meditative state. Then gaze into the mirror. Look yourself deep in the eyes and say three times:

To the Goddess and God I now inquire,

By Earth, Air, Water and Fire,

As I gaze into this silver mirror,

Show not my face, but my heart’s desire.

For the good of all and harm to none,

As I will it, the spell has begun.

Still gazing into the mirror, back away so that your reflection is no longer seen. Quickly begin to visualize your goal as though it has already manifested, put yourself into the picture, see yourself experiencing your heart’s desire. Project this image onto the mirror, and keep it there for at least 3 minutes. Do not allow your mind or your attention to become distracted from this image during that time. After three minutes have passed, end your ritual as usual.

Using A Mirror To Call Forth An Animal Totem

Animal spirits and totems can make their presence known at anytime during your day-to-day life, to give guidance and direction, and they can be called upon whenever you need them. However, when I call them forth in meditation or pathworking, it is always within the boundary of a magick circle. I lay the mirror flat on my altar, in a specific area where I want it to manifest. I place figures of the animal around the edge of the mirror, along with a lit candle and some incense. Place items that relate to your animal totem near the mirror. This could be feathers, photos or anything else that has a connection between you and the animal. With an incantation and some visualization, my totems materialize on the mirror, first as a misty figure which then becomes more solid. Or, it will ascend up through the mirror and hover over the altar. Your experience may be different, or it may take some time before you see a visible manifestation. The important thing is to stay focused on the shape of your animal totem and where you want it to appear. It may remain in a misty form for some time. My personal totem animals are somewhat small, so the mirror size that I use is adequate. If you have a larger animal as your totem, a mirror may not work and you’ll have to get creative! Some people call their animal to stand next to them, or take a place near the altar. You can re-work the spell below to fit your needs.

Animal Totem Incantation

I Call Forth The Spirit of…(state animal here…crow, raven, owl, etc)

To Be Present Here With Me

Take Your Place Upon The Mirror

As I Will It, So Mote It Be

A Springboard For Magickal Energy

During your ritual, place the mirror in a stand so that it is upright. After raising the cone of power, throw all of that energy at the mirror and then “bounce” it off into the proper elemental direction where you want it to go. Let this ricochet effect direct the energy out in the Universe. Below are some suggestions.

East/Air: Creative Endeavors, Communication, Travel

North/Earth: Job, Career, Money, Success, New Projects

West/Water: Change, Adaptability, Emotional Issues,

South/Fire: Love, Determination, Force, Issues that require a strong-will and steadfastness.

 

What other ways can you think of to use a mirror magickally?