Mirrors are simply magical. There’s something mysterious about looking at your reflection and seeing yourself clearly. Looking into our eyes in a mirror is the closest we can get to looking into our own soul. That’s why mirror magic is so popular and powerful.

Mirrors have always been a powerful tool in witchcraft. They can be used for divination tool, to reflect back that which is not wanted and to divine wisdom. They are also used in many mirror spells to build confidence and self love.

In this post we will look at some ways to use magic mirrors in our magical practice to help guide us and protect us. I have included a mirror divination ritual, a mirror confidence spell and a mirror protection spell at the end of the article.

But first let’s start with how mirror magic works.

How Mirror Magic Works

Mirror magic operates on the principle that mirrors reflect not just light and images, but energy itself. Mirrors reflect our energy back to us. The reflective surface of a mirror also acts as a portal between our physical world and the spiritual realm. When we look into a mirror, we can connect with our inner self, divine information about the future or past and direct energy for specific magical purposes.

The History of Mirror Magic

The magical significance of mirrors dates back thousands of years. Ancient cultures saw reflective surfaces as mystical, with the Greeks and Romans using polished metals for divination. The Egyptians believed that mirrors had connections to the soul, while in Chinese and Japanese folklore, mirrors were thought to reveal spirits and be used for guidance and protection.

Types of Mirror Magic

Mirror magic encompasses several different practices, each with its own purpose and methodology. The three main types we’ll explore are mirror scrying for divination, mirror spells for confidence and self-love, and mirror protection magic.

Mirror Scrying

Mirror scrying, also known as catoptromancy, is the practice of using a mirror’s reflective surface for divination. This ancient technique allows witches to seek guidance and wisdom by gazing into a prepared mirror until visions or symbols appear.

Scrying is perhaps one of the more famous ways magical people use mirrors. Doreen Valiente, in her classic Witchcraft for Tomorrow, talks about the “magic mirror”. Despite the name, it’s essentially a piece of glass with the back coated in black enamel paint.

Traditional scrying mirrors are often black-backed to reduce regular reflection and allow the scryer to focus on inner visions rather than their physical appearance. Some people stare at their own reflection until they start to see images in the mirror. Others watch the reflection of flames. Anything to relax the mind. That’s the point when images and symbols begin to appear in the mirror.

Mirror Confidence Spells

Mirror magic is particularly powerful for building self-confidence and self-love. Mirror Magic offers us the opportunity to rewrite the narrative, transforming the mirror from a symbol of criticism into a tool of empowerment. As we gaze into our reflections with intention and love, we challenge the negative self-talk and cultivate a deeper sense of self-acceptance.

These spells work by consciously reprogramming our relationship with our reflection. Instead of allowing the mirror to be a tool of self-criticism, we transform it into a source of empowerment and positive energy.

Mirror Protection Spells

Mirrors can be used for protection and binding spells. They send evil deeds and negative energies back to their senders. Think about it like light: when a light hits a mirror, the mirror reflects the light back. The principles of protective mirror magic are similar: the mirror acts as a shield that reflects the energy back.

Protection mirrors can be placed in windows facing outward to reflect negative energy away from your home, or carried as personal shields against psychic attacks and negative influences.

Creating Your Own Magic Mirror

Making your own magic mirror is a simple process that allows you to create a tool specifically attuned to your energy and intentions.

What You Need

• A small mirror (any size that feels comfortable to work with)
• Black paint or black nail varnish
• Mugwort tea (cooled) or rosemary-infused water as an alternative
• Black cloth or box for storage
• Sage for cleansing or frankincense if preferred
• Full moon energy (optional but recommended)

What to Do

1. Choose a night when the moon is full for maximum magical energy
2. Cleanse your mirror thoroughly with soap and water, then dry completely
3. Light your sage or frankincense and pass the smoke around the mirror to clear any existing energies
4. Apply three thin coats of black paint to the back of the mirror, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next
5. Once the paint is fully dry, sprinkle the cooled mugwort tea (or rosemary water) over the surface while setting your intention for the mirror’s use
6. Leave the mirror out under moonlight overnight. Mugwort is a herb traditionally used to help boost psychic powers and enhance divination, while rosemary enhances mental clarity and wisdom – both excellent choices for preparing a scrying mirror
7. Wrap the mirror in black cloth or store in a dark box when not in use to preserve its sensitivity

Your magic mirror is now ready for scrying, divination work or any other magical purpose you have in mind.

Mirror Divination Ritual

This ritual uses mirror scrying to gain insights and seek guidance about questions or situations in your life.

What You Need

• Your prepared magic mirror or any dark mirror
• Two white candles
• Frankincense incense or essential oil
• A quiet, darkened room
• A journal and pen for recording insights
• LED candles if fire is not suitable
• A bell or your hands for sound cleansing if incense cannot be used

What to Do

1. Dim the lights in your chosen room until it’s quite dark but not completely black
2. Light your white candles and place them on either side of the mirror, ensuring they don’t create glare on the surface
3. Light your frankincense incense, or if you cannot use fire, ring a bell three times or clap your hands to cleanse the space with sound
4. Sit comfortably in front of the mirror and take several deep breaths to centre yourself
5. Gaze softly at the mirror’s surface without straining your eyes or trying to force visions
6. Allow your mind to relax and become receptive to any images, symbols or impressions that arise
7. Continue gazing for 10-15 minutes, maintaining a relaxed but focused state
8. Record any visions, symbols or feelings in your journal immediately after the session
9. Thank the mirror for its assistance and extinguish the candles
10. Cover the mirror with cloth until your next use

The key to successful mirror divination is patience and practice. Don’t worry if you don’t see dramatic visions immediately – subtle impressions and feelings are just as valid forms of divine communication.

Mirror Spell for Confidence

This spell helps build self-confidence and overcome negative self-talk by transforming your relationship with your reflection.

What You Need

• A mirror you use regularly (bathroom mirror works perfectly)
• Rose petals (fresh or dried)
• Pink or red lipstick
• A small bowl
• Pink candle
• LED candle if fire is not suitable
• Your voice and positive intentions

What to Do

1. Light your pink candle and place it safely near your mirror
2. Put the lipstick in the bowl and surround it with rose petals
3. Stand in front of your mirror and look directly into your own eyes
4. Pick up the lipstick and hold it while saying “Beauty within and outside of me, beauty I feel and what others now see”
5. Apply the lipstick slowly and mindfully, focusing on appreciating yourself as a whole person
6. Look into your eyes again and speak three genuine compliments about yourself aloud – these could be about your kindness, your intelligence, your creativity, your strength, or any quality you appreciate about yourself
7. Place your hands on your heart and say “I am worthy of love, I am worthy of respect, I am worthy of all good things”
8. Spend a few moments appreciating your reflection without criticism
9. Throughout the day, each time you see yourself in a mirror, smile and think one kind thought about yourself
10. Keep the rose petals from the spell in a small pouch to carry with you as a confidence charm

This spell works by consciously rewiring the automatic negative responses many of us have developed around mirrors and self-image.

Mirror Spell for Protection

This powerful protection spell creates an energetic shield around your home by reflecting negative energy back to its source.

What You Need

• Four small mirrors (one for each direction)
• Black tourmaline crystals (four pieces)
• Black salt
• Angelica root (for protection) or thyme as an alternative
• A black candle
• Rosemary or lavender for cleansing
• LED candle if fire is not suitable
• A bell if incense cannot be used

What to Do

1. Begin by cleansing yourself and your space with rosemary or lavender smoke, or ring a bell nine times if you cannot use smoke
2. Light your black candle to anchor protective energy
3. Starting at the eastern side of your home, choose a window that faces east
4. Place the first mirror on the windowsill with the reflective surface facing outward, away from your home
5. In a small bowl next to the mirror, add a pinch of black salt, a piece of black tourmaline and a pinch of angelica root (which provides powerful protection against negative influences) or thyme (which cleanses spaces and repels negativity)
6. While placing these items, say “Sacred face of mirror bright, moon’s sister of reflective light, bounce back all that would harm, allowing to pass only that which would bless and charm”
7. Move clockwise to the south, then west, then north, repeating the process at each direction
8. When you’ve completed all four directions, return to your starting point
9. Raise your arms and say “Circle moon, circle star, circle face of protective light, circle complete, circle sealed, no harm enter, only love and might”
10. Allow the black candle to burn down completely in a safe location

If you live in a flat, this method works perfectly as you’re already placing the mirrors on windowsills facing outward instead of burying them.

This protective circle will reflect negative energy away from your home while allowing positive influences to pass through freely.

Working with Mirror Magic Safely

Always cleanse your mirrors before and after magical use to prevent unwanted energies from lingering. When not in active use, cover scrying mirrors or store them in dark places to maintain their sensitivity.

When not actively using a mirror in magic, you may wish to “lock” it to prevent it from passively absorbing or reflecting unwanted energies. To lock a mirror you can cover it with a cloth or turn it to face a wall.

If you break a magical mirror, don’t panic about bad luck. Scott Cunningham advises you to collect the bits and put them in a jar, dust and all. Put it on your windowsill (pick somewhere sunny) and let it reflect negative energies away from your house.

Enhancing Your Mirror Magic Practice

Mirror magic becomes more powerful with regular practice and mindful intention. Consider keeping a dedicated journal for your mirror work, recording any visions, insights or energy shifts you experience.

You can enhance your mirror magic by working with lunar cycles – the full moon is particularly powerful for charging mirrors and performing divination, while the new moon is excellent for protection and banishing work.

Self-love is some of the most powerful magic there is. This practice isn’t unruly or narcissistic, but rather, a warm supporting love that calms the mind. Regular mirror confidence work can transform not just how you see yourself, but how you move through the world with greater self-assurance and personal power.

Whether you’re drawn to the ancient art of mirror scrying, need protection from negative influences, or want to build a more loving relationship with yourself, mirror magic offers powerful tools for transformation and insight. The key is to approach your practice with respect, clear intention and an open heart.

Remember that the most important element in any mirror magic is your own intention and energy. The mirror is simply a tool to focus and amplify what you bring to the practice.

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