This is the first book to describe in detail the construction, energizing and use of a black mirror for scrying, astral travel and spirit communication. I was prompted to write it due to the complete absence of practical information on this important aspect of Western occultism.
The ancient history of magic mirrors is presented in detail. They have been used for scrying and magic by primitive shamans in both the Old and New World, by the Babylonians, the Egyptians, the Greeks, the Romans and by Christian Europeans from the Dark Ages until modern times. Ancient uses of the black mirror, which is a black reflective surface, are examined.
The importance of the occult virtues of the moon in all forms of mirror scrying is proven by numerous examples in mythology and history. Why this is so is considered in detail.
Detailed instructions on the making of a round black mirror occupy the central part of the book. I have fashioned two of these mirrors for my own ritual use. The shape and symbolism of the mirror are based upon the occult correspondences of the moon. The frame holds two magnetic fluid condensers, one of lunar symbols and the other of lunar substances.
The purpose of the condensers is to accumulate and store lunar potential in the form of what is called in Western magic "magnetic fluid." This term comes from the writings of Franz (or Friedrich) Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) concerning animal magnetism, and is a bit misleading. Magnetic fluid condensers are not necessarily magnetic or fluid -- they may be liquid or solid, and usually do not contain any magnetic iron. They are called magnetic fluid condensers because they are designed to act like occult batteries and store a reservoir of lunar virtue. "Virtue" is a technical word in magic that means the same as mana -- raw magic power.
Once the mirror has been made, detailed directions are provided for its lunar charging. Useful techniques are suggested to similarly charge the magician with lunar virtue, such as the use of the yogic lunar breath. Once the mirror is charged and the person who will use it prepared, it will yield excellent results as an instrument for scrying, as an astral gateway for astral travel, and as a medium for communication with spiritual beings.
For readers who may be all thumbs where carpentry is concerned, or who just may not have the time or inclination to construct the black mirror described by the author, a simple and easy method for making a black mirror from readily available and inexpensive materials is added to the end of the book. This simple black mirror, when properly charged and used, will perform almost as well as the more sophisticated mirror.
The Llewellyn mass market edition of How To Make and Use A Magic Mirror has gone out of print. Fortunately, the book was immediately republished by Phoenix Publications in a larger and more attractive edition. In preparing the new edition I was able to correct a few minor errors, and to clarify some points that readers have written to inquire about over the years.
This book is probably the best available on the subject of black mirrors. Readers will also find it of great value for the insights it provides into the role of the moon in all forms of mirror scrying.
ISBN: 0-919345-31-X. Price: $8.95 US. Phoenix Publishing, 1995.