With spirituality, my grandmother would say “different strokes for different folks”, meaning that everyone’s approach to their spirituality will always look a little different from your own. Lots of factors go into your spirituality, including but not limited to how you were raised, who you grew up with, your morals and even who you consider community today.
The same can be said for spiritual myths and superstitions—different strokes for different strokes. What one culture may believe might not have any weight in another culture. For example, I’m writing this on Friday, the 13th, a date with lore attached to it that even the most agnostic person struggles to ignore. And this is because in some cultures, the number 13 is considered evil, bad juju and a number that must be avoided if at all possible. This shows up in Latin American and Western European cultures, notably Italy and Greece. But for other cultures, the number 13 represents a powerful transformation and strength. This shows up in some Asian cultures such as Cantonese and in new age spiritual practices such as Wicca.
In honor of it being Friday the 13th, I figured I would quickly dive into a popular spiritual myth I see floating around on my social media channels from time to time: mirrors and the power they hold.
Now, as I type this, I have two large uncovered mirrors in the room with me – one to my east and one to my south. I’ve always worked with mirrors and felt comfortable with them, but more about that in a bit. Let’s talk about the history of mirrors and magick in general.
Mirrors have been around for at least 8,000 years and have been linked with magic for almost just as long. The first mirrors were discovered in what is now called Turkey and were made of ground and polished obsidian. The people back then believed that you could see your own soul by looking into your reflection in the mirror, and that breaking the mirror could damage your soul. Fast forward to around 4500 BC and you would find Egyptians making use of polished stone and small copper discs as mirrors. These mirrors eventually would serve as a way to encase religious and spiritual symbology – sometimes with a sun or moon carved on them.
Mirrors could be used to “look back” into the past (scrying or catoptromancy) or to reveal truths about the viewer’s inner self. Mirrors also served as burning glasses, as weapons, and as time-keeping devices. In West Africa, mirrors were used in ancestral initiation rituals in cultures such as the Fang. While under psychotropic influence, the initiate would be placed in front of a mirror to see and connect with their ancestors. Diviners in the Congo and Si I Luango used mirrors, where sometimes where the light was thrown would show serious outcomes.
Personally, as a Hoodoo and a long-term spiritualist, I have worked near and with mirrors since I was a child. First unknowingly, but then with practice, I became adept at divining using my reflection. As someone who mainly works in and with tools of the crossroads, mirrors have held a comforting hold over me and so I rarely cover them, even when sleeping. However, that is my personal practice and I would encourage my students to do what feels right for them with their own ancestral practices in mind.
Want to Learn More?
In honor of this Friday the 13th, a day steeped in myth, transformation, and mystery, it is exciting to announce that I will be reopening a portal of my own: my newsletter, The Coven Courier!
After several quiet years, it’s returning with new energy and intention. I’ll be using it to share spiritual insights, tricks and tools, and the first announcements for something special I’ve been brewing for the Coven of the Wise Women. If you’re interested in learning and exploring more along your spiritual journey, I invite you to walk with me a little further.
Sign up here to receive early access and be the first to step inside the magic I’ve been brewing for the Coven of the Wise Women.
–Rose
