Collection: Scrying Mirrors

What Is a Scrying Mirror?

A scrying mirror is a black mirror used for scrying, the practice of gazing into a surface until visions, symbols, or impressions appear in the mind's eye. An ordinary mirror hands your face straight back to you. A black mirror gives your eyes almost nothing to hold, and that emptiness is what lets the gaze drift inward. Mirror divination is old enough to have its own Greek name, catoptromancy, and today a black mirror is used for divination, spirit contact, and shadow work.

Why Are Scrying Mirrors Made of Obsidian?

Scrying mirrors are made of obsidian because it is a natural black glass that polishes to a deep, dark shine. Obsidian forms when lava cools too quickly to crystallize, and people have polished it into mirrors for thousands of years. In Mesoamerica, obsidian mirrors were tied to the Aztec god Tezcatlipoca, whose name is usually translated as Smoking Mirror. One Aztec obsidian mirror, brought to Europe in the 1520s, came to be linked with the Elizabethan magician John Dee and is now held in the British Museum.

How Do You Use a Scrying Mirror?

To use a scrying mirror, dim the lights, sit where you won't be interrupted, and set a single candle to the side of the mirror, never in front of it, so no bright reflection lands on the surface. Rest the mirror on its stand or prop it at a comfortable angle, hold a clear question in mind, and let your gaze soften until your eyes are slightly unfocused. Fog, color, shapes, or faint images may drift across the surface; notice them without chasing them. Start with five to fifteen minutes, write down what you saw as soon as you finish, and cover the mirror with a dark cloth until next time. First sessions often bring only mist or color, and that is normal; the skill builds with practice. Our full guide to scrying with a crystal ball, mirror, or bowl walks through each step in more detail.

What You'll Find Here

Handheld obsidian mirrors. These round black obsidian mirrors come in 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 inches. The 2- and 3-inch mirrors fit in a palm or a pouch for travel, and the 5- and 6-inch mirrors give a wide gazing field for settled work at the altar.

Standing obsidian mirrors. These smaller obsidian mirrors, 6, 8, and 12 centimeters across, come with a display stand that holds them upright at a gazing angle, so you can scry hands-free.

Each mirror is natural volcanic glass, so size, edges, and surface character vary a little from piece to piece. If you are choosing your first mirror, a larger surface is easier to fall into without catching the edge in your vision, and a stand makes longer sessions more comfortable.

How Do I Care for an Obsidian Mirror?

To care for an obsidian mirror, handle it gently and store it wrapped in cloth, because obsidian is glass and can chip or scratch if it knocks against a hard surface. Wipe fingerprints away with a soft, dry cloth. To cleanse it between sessions, pass it through incense smoke or wipe it lightly with a little Florida Water. If a mirror ever chips, handle it with care, since chipped obsidian edges can be sharp enough to cut.

Explore Related Collections

A black mirror is one of several classic scrying surfaces, and you may find you see more easily in crystal balls or scrying bowls. For other ways to reach across, see spirit boards and pendulums, and browse everything for intuition in divination and psychic abilities. Obsidian in stone form is in black obsidian crystals, and many scryers keep mugwort, the traditional herb of visions, nearby.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is a Scrying Mirror Used For?
A scrying mirror is used for divination. You gaze into its dark surface in low light while holding a question, and let images, symbols, and impressions rise. Many practitioners also use a black mirror for spirit contact and for shadow work.

What Do You See in a Scrying Mirror?
Most people first see mist, clouds, drifting color, or shifting shadows in a scrying mirror, and with practice some begin to see shapes, symbols, faces, or scenes. Many impressions arrive as thoughts or feelings rather than pictures, so write everything down and look for patterns over several sessions.

What Size Scrying Mirror Should I Get?
For settled work at an altar, a scrying mirror of 4 to 6 inches gives a wide, easy gazing field. A 2- or 3-inch mirror is better for travel or for carrying, and a mirror on a stand frees your hands for longer sessions.

Can I Make My Own Scrying Mirror?
Yes, you can make a scrying mirror by painting the back of the glass from a picture frame with several coats of matte black paint and setting it back in the frame, paint side in. An obsidian mirror gives a deeper, glassier black than paint, but a homemade mirror is a fine way to begin.

Is Mirror Scrying Safe?
Mirror scrying is a quiet, meditative practice, and most people find it calming. Keep sessions short at first, work in a room that feels comfortable, and stop if you feel uneasy. Many scryers open by cleansing the space and close by covering the mirror.