Magick Mirror Divination: How to Make a Scrying Mirror

Today I'll share with you a way to make a divination tool: the magick scrying mirror. I'm a very crafty DIY kinda witch, so I like to make my own stuff. For me, that's part of the magick.

To make a mirror like the one I made today, you will need to gather some supplies. First, you'll need a round mirror in a frame. You have to be able to remove the mirror, so check before you buy. You will also need a round piece of clear glass in the same size as the mirror, some black paint, black felt, strong glue, and a brush. You might also want some additional paint or supplies to decorate the frame.

1. Remove the original mirror from the frame. Remove any hangers or other parts that would prevent the mirror from sitting flat on a table. Hang on to any screws or backing.

2. Make sure your clear glass fits in the frame.

3. Clean the glass thoroughly and wipe with a lint-free towel.

4. Carefully paint one side of the glass with black paint. Paint designed for glass works best. Use a thin coat and avoid brush strokes.

5. Apply more thin coats of paint until the glass blocks all light.

6. While you are waiting for the paint to dry, you can decorate the frame as desired. I think it's better to be conservative with such decoration, since you don't want to be distracted while scrying. The mirror frame I bought is already black, so I'm not going to alter it.

7. Insert the glass into the frame. The unpainted side needs to face out. You may be able to replace the mirror's backing. If not, you will want to apply a thin bead of glue to the edge of the glass to secure it.

8. Cut a round piece of black felt the same size as your frame and glue it to the back of the mirror. You can also use self-adhesive felt. The felt gives your mirror a more finished look/feel and protects the table surface from scratches.

Tomorrow I will offer some ideas on how to use the magick mirror.

A Continuous Candle Peace Ritual

I found this spell in Cassandra Eason's Complete Book of Spells and today seems like a good day to pass it on. The interesting thing about this spell is that my posting about it here is actually part of the spell itself.

It's a very simple practice: Take a white candle and dedicate it to peace, whether for a specific cause or the world in general. I am using a tall devotional candle I bought at a Catholic supplies shop. Light it, and say, There is not enough darkness in the world to put out the light of one candle. Then pass on the spell to someone else. (For example, you could hit the "Stumble It!" link at the bottom of this post... Just a suggestion...)

Although the idea is that the other person lights their candle before yours burns down, I think the bigger idea is to get more people thinking about peace and working toward it, in whatever way they can. Never watch the news and question that you have the power to affect what is happening on the other side of the world. As witches, we have not only the power, but the responsibility to put magickal and mundane efforts toward harmony.

Stop Calling Me Spell

Some years ago I went through a period of financial difficulty. I've made my share of mistakes and I do take responsibility for them... just like debt collectors need to take responsibility for their errors. Including the severe error in judgment they are making in continuing to (illegally) harass a witch by phone. Every day I get multiple calls on old debts that have long been erased by bankruptcy. This is a violation of the law but more importantly in the context of this blog, it really pisses me off.

What to do, what to do... I love me a good magickal experiment. This time I'm going for runes. When I've worked with runes in the past, I have typically created a bindrune. This is a method of combining runes to make one symbol for your intention. This is something of an individual process. There is more than one way to approach it. What I like to do is keep it simple. I choose two or three runes to represent the energy I want to express, and combine them artistically until I get a symbol I can live with.

Having created this symbol or sigil, it needs to be charged. The number of ways this can be done is fascinating. To see what I mean, have a look at this thread. These methods are an interesting contrast to the typical witch practice of focusing on the intent. In fact, they promote the exact opposite - focusing on the symbol while avoiding the meaning. Since this is an experiment and not an urgent matter, I'm going to try this alternative charging method. Also since it's not an urgent matter, it's quite likely I will forget what the symbol's purpose is. So I will simply place the drawing in places I'm likely to see it often. I'll put one near the TV, one in my car, maybe even one as my desktop wallpaper. I can even doodle it during boring staff meetings.

Since I get an average of three hang-ups a day (I screen my calls so when the get the machine they hang up), it will be easy to tell if/when this magick works.

Purification Bath Spell

Spring is in full force now in my area. Since we're now on the waning side of the lunar cycle, it's time for a clearing spell. Basically what I need to do is clear away some of the debris - mental, emotional, physical - that has been slowing me down. It is next to impossible to move forward when you're being weighed down with so much baggage.

The first step of the spell is a thorough cleaning of the house. I've actually been doing this for a while, culminating today when I take a big bag of stuff to Goodwill (not the Salvation Army). It's amazing what a relief that simple act can bring. But I'm also a witch, which of course means magickal action in addition to mundane.

This is a bath spell, which is something I don't do often. Obviously, washing yourself is a good symbol for purification of all types. What I'm doing this evening is filling up my tub with nice hot water. Into the tub goes a massive quartz crystal and some bath salts made by Smith & Vandiver. I'm using the "Refresh" bath salts, which I don't think they make any more. I've had them forever and it's high time I used them. In addition I will have on hand a white tea candle for purification. When you're a klutz like me, a tea candle is best in the tub to avoid setting the bathroom on fire. Some nice music playing finishes off the "ingredients." I prefer a mix of Enya songs for their ethereal ambiance.

Run the quartz crystal under warm water before you put it in the tub. You don't want to take a cold crystal and drop it into hot water; it could crack or shatter. Slicing your foot on broken crystal is not conducive to magick.

This is a mental magick sort of spell, really. Basically just slip into the water, light the candle, and let the elements do their thing. You've got them all: earth (salt and crystal), air (music), fire (candle), and water (bath). Visualizing your "baggage" dissolving into the water really helps. If you want to linger in the tub, empty it completely, imagining the detritus going down that drain, and then refill. Doing this cycle three times adds a little numeralogical magick to the mix.

Oh, and before you close the bathroom door, make sure you have something with which to light your candle. You don't want to get all comfortable in the bathtub and then have to run naked and shivering back out the door to get some matches. This is also not conducive to the magick. Trust me.

Woman of Power Spell

It's full moon time, people! Tonight I'm gonna get my witch on with a power spell. My goal for this spell is to become a more powerful woman and witch in every way. You know how there are those people who seem charmed, enchanted? When one of these people says something will happen, you know that it simply will. That's who I want to be.

For this spell I chose a special ring as a symbol of my power. It is actually the same ring I used for a fairly similar working back at around New Year's. Remember the blue moon that happened right around that time? I empowered this ring to be a tool to bring more magick into my life. Although it took a few months to manifest, it's obviously working now that I'm doing some kind of spell every single day! My hope is to extend that enchantment by not just bringing magick, but bringing forth my own personal power. In other words: I have magick, now I just want to be better at it.

I have a special candle for this spell, placed in a pentacle candle holder. It's another one of those Reiki energy charged candles from the Crystal Journey Candle Company. It's the same brand I used for the Motivation Spell and that worked wonderfully! The one I am using is called Power. I have the votive size and it smells wonderful, just like every other candle from this company. In fact, I'd buy it just for the scent: musk, clove, and patchouli. They should make this scent into an aftershave. It'd be much more appealing than that "Axe" crap.

Anyway, once the sun sets I will be ready to begin. For this spell I won't just light the Power candle, but also one I have dedicated to the Goddess Brigid and the big one I light for important rituals. Then on the altar I'll place the special ring and the High Priestess card from the Legacy of the Divine Tarot. This is a beautiful deck and probably my all-time favorite. You can see a "living" version of it here. Take a look and you will see why I am choosing it for this spell. The High Priestess embodies a quiet but undeniable power. I'm not looking to rule the world. I'm just looking to rule my world.

I want to see where the energy takes me, so I'm not overplanning. I like spontaneity. I will begin by lighting the candles and saying a general blessing or prayer to the Goddess and God. Then I will state my intention and meditate on the card. This specific card has rich symbolism, and I suspect I will find myself exploring that. I may end up chanting whatever words of power come into my head, in this case probably something like, "I am power."

I realize this spell is, at least in part, also a recognition and celebration of the power I already have. I'll let you know how it goes.

Workplace Peace Spell

We're in the home stretch of busy season in my industry, and this week I expect to be tense. I've decided to charge an amethyst cluster for peace and harmony. I'll put it on my work altar, which is a special shelf at work where I keep some unobtrusive spiritual objects.

I have a couple of these amethyst clusters. They're not high quality. They were the first crystals I ever bought, at a kiosk in a crappy small-town mall. I remember the guy was selling these big chunks for $1 each - just the right price for a ten-year-old. Of course, this was long before I knew anything of witchcraft. All I knew was that they were sparkly and seemed a lot more valuable than what was being charged.

So I'll take one of these clusters, light a white candle, and charge the stone with peaceful energies. Breathe deeply, speak softly, stay centered, be at peace.

Money Spell With AzureGreen Candle

AzureGreen is one of my favorite supply companies. This being the last day I have off before the next full moon, I wanted to test out their Prosperity Ritual Candle. The owner of the shop where I bought it swears by these things. I realize there's a bias there, but if you saw this shop you'd understand my confidence in this opinion. The place probably has $5 million in inventory. It's like the Wal-Mart of occult stores, at least in terms how how much they carry and the amount of business they do. And it's 100% bricks-and mortar... no online sales.

Anyway, I wanted to burn this candle today since it's an 8" taper and those can take a while to burn down. It's a nice candle, a rich (ha!) dark green inscribed with Theban script and pleasantly scented with whatever they used to anoint it. Of course, I will follow the instructions on the site:

Before you light the candle for the first time, focus your will entirely upon it, visualizing your intended bounty being woven in and all around the candle. Let your mind fill with an awareness of the candle flame as a beacon, calling money and success to your door. As the candle burns down to its base, keep your thoughts set upon the positive manifestations of attaining this new found wealth and glory. You may choose to let the candle burn down completely at one time as it releases your ritually strengthened thoughts into the universe, or you can light and concentrate upon the candle 3 days in a row, making sure to snuff the candle at the end of each session, rather than blowing it out.

 Well, I sure could use some dough, so let's see what comes of it!