ARTS / CULTURE
The Shadow-Mirror Ritual
This piece is a work of fiction. However, if you are a spiritualist or you believe in the paranormal, the occult, or the demonic, please do not do this ritual. You have been warned.
This ritual allows you to see into the shadow parts of yourself. Those who succeed may gain wisdom that leads them toward their highest, most realized selves. Before attempting the ritual, you must prepare through inner work and emotional balance. You must be at peace with what you will see in the mirror—no matter how dark it is. What you face will be a part of you, and only you have the power to master it.
Do not attempt this ritual if you are emotionally unstable or uncertain of what you might uncover.
If you proceed, follow every step precisely. Failure to comply may result in your shadow self escaping the subconscious and manipulating your reality. Reported consequences include insanity, paranoia, sensations of being followed or watched, violence toward oneself or others, and, in extreme cases, violent and unexplained deaths.
Proceed with caution.
You will need:
A room where you will not be disturbed, with a door that locks and a window that can be shut and covered
A chair
A compass
A candle and a match
A highly sentimental object to keep you grounded
Rock salt
Sage
A mirror
A large piece of cloth to cover the mirror
A timer set for three minutes
Preparation:
Select a date on the new moon. The moon must not be visible.
Prepare the room in advance. Daylight strengthens protection, though night preparation is acceptable if all steps are followed.
Lock the door. Shut and cover the windows. No one must enter or witness the ritual but you.
Burn sage and walk the perimeter of the room, letting smoke reach all four corners.
Place the chair at the center of the room, facing south. You will need your compass to follow this rule.
Set the mirror directly before the chair and pass the sage smoke over it. Do the same with your sentimental object and the cloth.
On the floor, draw a pentacle with salt between the chair and the mirror. Place your sentimental object at its center.
Go to bed. Set your alarm.
The Ritual:
At exactly 3:33 a.m., enter the prepared room. The ritual lasts three minutes, though it may feel like hours—or lifetimes.
Sit on the chair. Light the candle only when you are seated.
Fix your gaze upon the mirror. Focus on the darkness illuminated only by the flame.
You may see fleeting images or sense a presence behind you. You may hear whispers. Do not break your gaze. Do not look around. Keep your eyes on the mirror no matter how disturbing the images are.
If you feel something touch your back, keep your eyes on the mirror. With your left hand, reach for your sentimental object. The left hand receives; it will help you receive grounding and protection from your sentimental object.
You will know the ritual has ended when the candle extinguishes on its own. If it does not, but the timer sounds, blow out the flame immediately. Do not exceed three minutes.
When you look down, you may find the salt pentacle scattered. This means it has fulfilled its purpose. Rise and cover the mirror with the cloth.
Leave the room at exactly 3:36 a.m. Do not re-enter until sunrise.
DO NOT PROCEED IF:
It is not the new moon.
The door cannot lock or the windows cannot be shut and covered.
The setup appears altered or disturbed at 3:33 a.m. If your chair has been repositioned, or if anything is out of place, something is warning you to stay away.
The chair does not face south.
You are not ready to face your shadow self.
Good luck.
And remember: what looks back through the glass is not your enemy—unless you fail to look away.