Hi and welcome, Witches and Witchlets! Today we are starting a new series where I – a seasoned and practicing Witch – answer questions posed on Google about magick and witchcraft. Today’s question is:
“In witchcraft what happens when two mirrors face each other?”
A great question indeed! Let’s discuss.
PORTALS
The most commonly debated phenomena concerning two mirrors facing one another is whether or not they create a portal. It’s been said that these portals are doorways for spirits – neutral, good, and evil – to enter the room. Other beliefs center around the two mirrors giving access to other dimensions for whomever is to peer into one of them.
SILVER AND MERCURY
In the 13th century, mirrors were made by depositing a very thin layer of polished lead or silver onto glass. With time, this method was improved with the discovery of using tin, lead, and bismuth in place of silver and lead.
Fast forward to the 1400s where we see the invention of the mercury mirror. To make a mirror using mercury involved flattening out pieces of glass and then depositing several layers of tin onto them. After sanding it all down to a smooth finish, it was then covered with a layer of mercury to be flattened and smoothed once more.
In 1835 the silver nitrate mirror was invented and a ban was placed on mirrors made with mercury as it is a highly toxic chemical to work with. By spraying a thin layer of silver onto a piece of glass lined with tin, making mirrors wasn’t a dangerous profession anymore.
Modern day mirrors do not contain mercury or silver. Instead, manufacturers use an aluminum vacuum coating in place of the silver nitrate.
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?
In some circles, only mirrors made using mercury or silver require locking or sealing. And as these types of mirrors are pretty rare, modern day practitioners won’t have to worry about entities coming through them.
But, as always, this comes down to personal belief. One side says the above is true about mercury and silver-backed mirrors, while the other side believes that ALL mirrors are capable of creating magickal portals.
LOCKING AND SEALING
If you are on the side that wishes to lock and seal your mirrors, how would you go about doing it? There are a few different ways:
- Create a protection sigil, trace it onto your mirror using moon water and activate it by washing it off
- Trace the mirror around its perimeter using full moon water, making sure the outline is joined completely
- Turn the mirror over and draw either a sigil or pentagram in each corner if square, or in the North, East, South, and West positions if round/oval
- Use black tape around the perimeter of the back of the mirror
- If the mirror is stationary – like those installed in bathrooms – choose one or two statuary guardians to keep watch
- Use ritual oil to trace around the mirror’s perimeter
- Draw a large ‘X’ on the mirror’s front in moon water, allowing it to dry for 24 hours before cleaning the entirety of the surface
THE BARBERSHOP CONUNDRUM
When we think of places of business where mirrors often face each other, such as barbershops and restaurants, why don’t patrons get sucked up into them? Why aren’t these shops haunted with uninvited spiritual guests?
That’s easy – intention. What is the intention or point of mirrors within a barbershop or beauty salon? To check out your new haircut. Quite mundane, really. Having said that, if a different intention of the magickal persuasion is set behind the purpose of these mirrors, then yes, they can become portals!
INFINITE MIRRORS
When you place two mirrors to face each other, the first mirror reflects on the second, which reflects back to the first then back to the second, and so on and so forth. To the naked eye, the reflections seem to go on infinitely – thus the name.
The name ‘infinite mirrors’ is a bit of a misnomer as they aren’t really infinite. You see, mirrors aren’t 100% reflective. The reflections become dimmer and smaller until they fade away – never truly attaining infinity.
ENTRYWAYS TO THE SOUL
In Feng Shui it is said that mirrors are entryways to the soul. As far as infinite mirrors go, they are thought to put your life force into a never-ending loop. But because infinite mirrors aren’t really infinite, the energy of a life force can’t be trapped into an infinite loop, can it?
INTENTION
As with everything in witchcraft and magick, it all comes down to intention. While the above discussions have to deal with mundane and magickal beliefs, without the intention of two mirrors opposing one another being a portal or doorway, then they are just a couple of reflective surfaces.
YOU DO YOU
In the end, whether or not you should seal or lock a mirror is really up to you. If it makes you feel better, then by all means go for it. Personally, I seal and lock my mirrors periodically on each Sabbat. I’ve been doing this for years and will continue until the end of my days.
IN CONCLUSION…
So the question “In witchcraft what happens when two mirrors face each other?” isn’t answered in a very cut and dry manner as you can see. The possibility of created portals and doorways is likely, in my opinion, while others will say it can only happen with mercury or silver mirrors.
Do you believe opposing mirrors create portals? Do you lock and seal the mirrors in your home? Let me know in the comments. And as always, Bright Blessings and Happy Crafting!