The magic of the mirror

Everyone knows that breaking a mirror causes seven years of misfortune for the poor person who clumsily damages it. This superstition is so strong that even sceptics feel insecure and uncomfortable when this misfortune befalls them. Nor does anyone keep pieces of a broken mirror, or even one that is scratched or cracked. It's just better not to take the risk.
Every crack on a mirror, as well as on glass or windowpane, violates the harmony in which we live, so subconsciously we know that we must remove such items. Anything that is damaged or cracked must be thrown away, because damage to things will have the effect of spoiling the atmosphere in our home and life. The mirror is a special case because it has always played an important role, so any damage to it is also perceived strongly. After all, a mirror is a portal through which one can find oneself in another world.


Before mirrors were created, people could see their reflection in two cases. The first is any body of water. The calm water was perfect for looking through and enjoying the view of themselves. The second case is the pupils of another person. This is no longer so easy, as you have to get very close to achieve this goal. This is one of the reasons why looking into the eyes is so awkward and intimate - not only do we look into the mirror of the other person's soul, but we also see ourselves there. Such an experience must evoke emotion and linger in the memory. The emotions can be extreme - love and hate, and it is only in these situations that people choose to look deeply into the other person's eyes when they want to profess their love or offend and anger them. Such a message will also be followed by a response, much more sincere than one expressed verbally - for it will come straight from the heart.

Over time, man has discovered that it is not only nature that offers the possibility to see. Shining objects are also suitable for this purpose, and with the advent of weapons, there were more and more of them. Later on, mirrors were made of silver-coated glass. At first, they were small, but then became larger and larger until they could cover and decorate the entire walls of palaces. At that time, a mirror was still an unbelievable luxury, but when the cost of producing them began to fall, poorer people could also use them.
What is most intriguing, however, is not how the mirror was created and popularised, but the reason why it is so famous as a magical artefact. Namely, it is related to the fact that, for centuries, the reflection in a mirror has been perceived not only as a reflection of a person's appearance, but also of his or her character traits, personality. The mirror provided not a dead image, but a double, moreover an inverted double. The world in the mirror was an upside-down world, where nothing happens the way we want it to, and the breaking of the mirror made it even more frightening. This is why people were always afraid when they saw a broken mirror somewhere.
A mirror can also trap the human soul, when it is in the body of a living person it is safe, but after someone's death, when it has already left the body it can be locked in a mirror. This is why all mirrors are covered in the home of the deceased. It also provides a portal between the living and the dead. Usually we cannot see someone's spirit, but in the mirror our gazes can meet. If the ghost's gaze in the mirror sees the reflection of someone from the living, he or she may want to bring that person to themselves as soon as possible.


On the other hand, at night, especially in the hour of the spirits, one should not look into the mirror at all. According to various superstitions, you may then see your death or even the devil himself instead of your own reflection. Another less dangerous demon that lurked in the mirror was the legendary Dydko. He appeared when a woman, in love with her appearance, admired her beauty in the mirror far too often. He would then play all sorts of pranks on her by distorting the mirror. When this didn't help, he transferred the reflection from the distorted mirror to the girl's face, who from then on could no longer enjoy unblemished beauty. The mythological Narcissus was punished for a similar reason, namely excessive self-love. In love with his reflection so much that he could not stop admiring it, he died of starvation on the banks of the water in which he was gazing. Fairy tales, as well as legends, are rich in just such stories, with the mirror in the starring role.
However, a mirror does not always mean misfortune or something bad. It can also be used in white magic. If someone tries to cast a spell or curse on us, the mirror is the best defence - not only will it save us, but it will also deflect the evil energy towards the opponent. This is how mythical monsters were defeated and killed with their eyes - Medusa, known from mythology, and the monster from Polish legends, the Basilisk. In both cases, the mirror saved them from having to look into the beast's eyes; it was safe to see it in the reflection and, more importantly, the creature itself succumbed to the effect of its own sight. Every child also knows the fairy tale of Snow White, where the mirror had the gift of declaring who was the most beautiful creature walking the earth. And in Andersen's The Snow Queen we see the power of the mirror presented, which we have already mentioned. A crumb of a broken mirror fell on some people, causing them to behave differently than before. When the crumb found its way into their eye, their view of the world became completely different, and when it fell into their heart, they lost their ability to love and empathise.


Those who parish the magical arts are keen to use mirrors, precisely because of their strong connection to magic. The ability to reflect links the mirror to the moon reflecting the sun's rays. Mirrors can show us a great deal, including the future - they are said to have been used by Nostradamus himself. They are also often used in love divination, because with the right ritual, the face of the beloved is supposed to appear in the mirror. Magical arts that make use of mirrors are called catopromancy or crystallomancy. Seeing something in the reflection, however, requires great concentration and experience, so beginning amateurs of magic will not quickly master this art. The first step, before even knowing the future, is to use a mirror to get to know ourselves. By looking at our own reflection, we can look ourselves in the eye. To consider our own strengths and flaws, and thus work out a way forward.


All that we have said about the mirror should make us treat it with care and seriousness. It is a very powerful magical artefact, and even if we are not very superstitious, let us not use broken mirrors for our own safety. It is safest to bury the broken pieces underground as soon as possible, so that it can no longer reflect anything. Let us also be wary of trying to harness the power of the mirror. This always carries the risk that our spell will bounce off the mirror and hit us.