Mirrors and the Paranormal

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Mirrors and the Paranormal

Whether a believer in the paranormal or not, there is one item every single one of us has that’s been surrounded with superstition and ghostly stories for centuries, it’s in our homes, our cars, and we even carry it with us. The item I am referring to is a mirror.

Perhaps this may have all started in Greek mythology and the story of Narcissus.  The story tells of an extremely good looking man who was the son of Cephissus, a river god, and Leiriope a nymph. He was admired by all but would always reject any advances. One day Narcissus saw his own reflection in a pond and fell deeply in love; this may have been brought on by Ameinias, who was rejected by Narcissus so he ordered the Gods to punish him.  There are a few variations to this story, one tells of Narcissus drowning while trying to touch the reflection, another that he did not drink due to fear of harming the reflection and simply wasted away.  Regardless he met his demise due to self obsession and to this day the term Narcissist is used for anyone who shares the trait.  How does this involve the paranormal? Well, this story also was used as a warning that seeing your own reflection is like seeing your own soul and gazing too long may bring consequences.

Reflected surfaces and mirrors have also been used for Scrying, one of the oldest forms of divination. Dee an astrologer, occultist, and consultant to Queen I, used a black obsidian mirror for scrying, it is believed that this technique allows you to see visions and answers to questions by gazing upon the surface.  The mysticism behind mirrors has even found its way into children’s stories; we all remember the evil Queen in Snow White and her magic mirror that gave her guidance.  There have always been two main theories behind mirrors that seem to be universal, that they reflect the soul and can tell the future.

Though there are some good superstitions behind mirrors, such as if a couple first catches sight of each other in a mirror they will have a happy union, or a young woman can see her true love if she sits in front of a mirror while eating an apple and brushes her hair, there are mostly cautionary tales and bad omens associated with mirrors.  We have all heard the warning if you break a mirror you will have seven years bad luck, why seven years?  The Romans believed that life renewed itself every seven years, they believed if a person were in bad health their image would cause the mirror to break and they would have to live with the curse until the seven year mark and their life would be renewed.

One of the most popular and disturbing superstitions involving mirrors is one that is still practiced today and many of us have probably seen it in recent movies or television series.  There is a belief that when a person passes away all mirrors in the home should be covered or turned around due to the fear that the soul will become confused and trapped in the mirror.  There is a similar warning to cover or reverse mirrors before bed because some believe your soul can wander at night.  Just as a mirror can reflect and redirect it is also believed to be an easy portal for the spirit world.  The popular urban legend of Bloody is probably the most well known warning behind this theory, a vengeful spirit that can only be summoned while staring into a mirror, the legend states that she will drag whoever has summoned her back into the mirror with her.

There are many superstitions, theories, and warnings but the reality is we use mirrors every single day and never really stop to think about any of this.  These objects that hang in our homes, are more than just decorative, they were believed to reflect our souls and our future.  Just a little something to think about the next time you catch your reflection, just don’t be too narcissistic and all will be well.

sources

http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Mi-Ni/Narcissus.html

http://www.buzzle.com/editorials/5-8-2004-53904.asp

http://wiccanwood.co.uk/history%20of%20scrying.htm