WITCH CHALLENGE - Mirror Magick
Unfortunately, I am NOT a user of mirrors in Magick. Like others, the mirrors in our house only get used when we are trying to look better than we do!
So… This post is to help me understand Mirror Magic in one specific area – Black Mirrors. I decided to talk to an AI and came up with his/her/its way of using one. I figured I could actually do it and relate what I felt. I am not hoping for a lot since this will be the first time I’ve tried to work with one so the outcome will be sketchy.
My comments are in bold italics. If not italicized, the AI is writing
This is the Scrying Mirror I have. I got it when first trying to understand my path. Up to now, it hasn’t been used. It is polished obsidian and small – about 3.9 inches or 10 cm in diameter.
Using a black mirror is a powerful and ancient form of scrying—a method of divination that invites insight, intuition, and sometimes contact with spiritual realms.
What Is a Black Mirror and Why Use It?
A black mirror, often made from obsidian or glass painted black, serves as a reflective portal for inner vision. Unlike regular mirrors, its dark surface minimizes visual distractions, allowing the mind to slip into a meditative or trance-like state. This makes it ideal for:
• Accessing the unconscious mind: The void-like surface mirrors the inner self, revealing symbols, emotions, or insights buried beneath conscious awareness.
• Spiritual communication: Some use it to connect with ancestors, spirit guides, or chthonic deities, especially in traditions like Wicca or ceremonial magick.
• Shadow work and introspection: The mirror becomes a tool for confronting hidden fears, desires, or truths—perfect for deep personal transformation
The above list has a lot of relationship to a list in a book that I used to understand how to meditate better and to touch base on what Chaos Theory was about. It is one of the easier Chaos books to read and stays away from esoteric descriptions and tries to tell how to actually use some of the principles. The book is called “The Master Works of Chaos Magick” by Adam Blackthorne.
How to Use a Black Mirror for Scrying
1. Prepare the space: Choose a quiet, dimly lit room. Candlelight is ideal—place one or two candles beside or in front of the mirror to create a soft glow.
2. Cleanse and consecrate: Use incense, moon water, or your preferred method to energetically cleanse the mirror. Set your intention clearly—whether it's to receive guidance, connect with a spirit, or explore your subconscious.
3. Enter a meditative state: Ground yourself with breathwork or visualization. Gaze softly into the mirror, not at your reflection but as if looking through it. Let your vision blur and your thoughts drift.
4. Observe and receive: You may see swirling mist, symbols, faces, or simply feel impressions. Trust what arises, even if it’s subtle. Record everything afterward in a journal.
5. Close the session: Thank any energies or entities you’ve invited. Formally close the mirror by stating your intent to end the session and covering it when not in use.
OK. So far, good. This seems like a simple preparation that is based on that which I am familiar.
Tips for Beginners
• Be patient: Visions may not come immediately. Like any spiritual practice, scrying deepens with time.
• Stay grounded: Especially if working with intense energies or shadow aspects, grounding rituals before and after are essential.
• Use with reverence: Treat the mirror as a sacred tool. Many practitioners believe it holds a consciousness of its own, deserving of respect and care.
OK for this, too. If I’m going to do this, I need to be serious about it. When trying to enter a meditative state, especially a deep one, I have to concentrate and wipe out all external disturbances. That means I’m going to have to wait until it is late and everyone is in bed since even our dog likes to get in the act if she sees me concentrating on something.
Black Mirror Scrying Ritual: “The Veil of Reflection”
1. Preparation of the Sacred Space
• Choose a quiet, dimly lit room. Nighttime or the dark moon phase is ideal.
• Place your black mirror on your altar or a stable surface at eye level.
• Light two candles—one on each side of the mirror. White for clarity, black for protection.
• Burn incense such as mugwort, myrrh, or sandalwood to thin the veil.
• Optional: Cast a protective circle or call in your guides, ancestors, or deities.
-
Consecration and Intention
• Cleanse the mirror with smoke or moon water.
• Hold it in both hands and say:
Mirror of shadow, mirror of light,
Open the path to inner sight.
I seek not illusion, but truth revealed,
By sacred will, this space is sealed.
State your intention clearly. For example:
“I seek insight into the path of emotional truth.”
or
“Reveal what lies beneath the surface of my connection with [name or situation].”
I’m not big on Poetry for my workings. In deep meditation, I am concentrating on ‘intent’ and not on rhyming. I will give this my best shot but I will probably do it in a way that is familiar. (as a complete stray from the topic, I stuck the poem into an AI song generator, selected Country and a male voice. It sounded great!)
3. Entering the Trance
• Sit comfortably and ground yourself. Visualize roots anchoring you to the earth.
• Gaze softly into the mirror—not at your reflection, but through it.
• Let your vision blur. Breathe slowly. Allow your awareness to drift.
• You may see mist, symbols, faces, or feel impressions. Trust what arises.
4. Receiving the Vision
• Remain open. If a symbol appears, ask inwardly: “What do you mean?”
• If nothing appears, focus on the feeling or energy of the moment.
• Stay in the trance for 10–20 minutes, or until you feel the session naturally close.
This approach I am familiar with, too. I would never ask “What do you mean?” out loud. I would use intent to clarify. Kinda the same thing but different. I use it in a slightly different way with different workings but I know what they are talking about. Manifesting an object or communicating with an intangible concept is similar to building mind palaces. The book I mentioned goes into that a bit.
5. Closing the Ritual
• Thank any spirits or energies you invited.
• Say:
The mirror closes, the veil is drawn, What was seen shall linger on. With gratitude and grounded breath, I return from shadow, still and blessed.
• Snuff the candles. Cover the mirror with a cloth and store it respectfully.
6. Integration
• Journal your experience immediately. Include:
◦ Date, time, moon phase
◦ Symbols, feelings, visions
◦ Any intuitive messages or emotional shifts
• Reflect over the next few days. Insights may unfold gradually.
THE RESULTS
Here is the setup for my attempt. One thing I noticed was the mirror was quite small and I wondered if that would affect anything.
I went through the setup, grounded myself, and started to meditate. I could NOT find any connection although, if I closed my eyes, I felt I was getting somewhere. I just couldn’t connect to the mirror. I picked it up and held it close in my lap but that affected the state I was trying to maintain. In the end, I gave up.
My conclusion was I needed a bigger mirror. Much bigger. I needed to lose myself in the blackness and I just couldn’t do it with what I had. Indeed, I think I could have darkened the room completely and settled back and stared into the dark. Which I might try as a second experiment.
If I want it to work with a mirror, I need an 8x10 or larger black mirror. If I can get a large one to work, I may be able to drop down to the small one. I’ll stick it on my TODO list.
Edits: The timeout on edits without getting a red pencil are working against me (again). I don’t see the typos until I go back after a bit.
Also, since I didn’t have a great result, if someone does Black Mirrors, I would love to hear your comments and successes!