Book of Mirrors

A Witch's Journey into Self-Love

So, it seems that there has been an increased interest in the occult; witchcraft specifically, and here I am showing up to answer the call. I have written a book called “The Book of Mirrors: A Witch’s Journey into Self Love,” and I will be publishing every chapter here on Substack, hopefully weekly. Maybe bi-weekly. We’ll see.

Either way, I hope you learn something!

BOOK OF MIRRORS

A witch’s "Book of Mirrors" is akin to the more widely known "Book of Shadows," but serves a distinct and more private purpose. While a Book of Shadows houses spells, incantations, and rituals for influencing the external environment, a Book of Mirrors is a sacred diary for personal reflections, experiences, inner struggles, healing tools, and progress along the spiritual, magickal, and healing paths. It is a witch’s reflection on her journey inward, as she becomes more of herself and strengthens her divine connection.

I hold the Book of Mirrors in higher regard than a Book of Shadows because the foundation of any witchcraft practice is self-knowledge. In our modern society, truly knowing oneself is an elusive endeavor that takes courage, persistence, and resources. From an early age, we’re conditioned to hand over our inner authority, intuition, and agency to external sources: the government, religion, parents, teachers, celebrities—anyone the public, or people with more perceived power, deems capable of knowing what’s best for us. This social conditioning keeps us disconnected from our inner power and upholds societal structures that thrive on our dis-empowerment. Imagine how the world would change if we collectively reclaimed our ability to trust our inner knowing.

The first step to any grassroots or collective transformation is self-change.

I used to believe that people couldn’t change. Growing up, I did not really witness anyone transform themselves from the inside-out. I saw circumstances shift, but any time I witnessed change in someone, it was because their external environment forced them to make the adjustment. I did not think that just anyone had the power to change themselves without some external force. That belief held firm until I became the first person I saw truly change.

When I was a child, I endured relentless bullying that caused an overwhelming feeling of worthlessness and anxiety. Survival mode became my constant state, and I was always on edge. I didn’t know this, though. I assumed, because everyone around me was operating from survival mode, that this was normal. What I didn’t know, though, was just how sensitive I really was. I was basically a walking raw nerve, reacting to life rather than living it.

One of the manifestations of my anxiety was nail-biting—a habit that became a constant source of shame. The cycle was vicious: I’d bite my nails, get shamed for how unattractive it was, feel worse, and bite them more. This ouroboros of shame and compulsion followed me from the second grade into adulthood.

It wasn’t until I faced the source of my anxiety; my feelings of deep inadequacy and unworthiness, did I decide I needed to change my life completely—starting with the nail-biting.

It was NOT easy. I tried hypnosis, but it didn’t stick. I got fake nails but tore them off with my teeth to gnaw my nails underneath. Even if I didn’t want to bite my nails, I would end up biting my cuticles! It was awful. Eventually, though, I learned to wean myself off the habit by staying mindful of my hands, emotional state, and mental triggers. I discovered that whenever I felt the urge to bite my nails, I was experiencing anxiety, boredom, or despair. By changing my environment, reducing stressors, and changing how I reacted to those external stressors, I gradually overcame the habit. It took years, and it’s not a perfect science, but while I was home for Christmas this past year, my dad looked at my hands and said “Ali, I know how hard it is to stop a habit, and I’m really proud of you for quitting the nail biting. Your hands look beautiful!” I burst into tears because yes. It is hard to change a deeply ingrained habit. But it’s not impossible.

This victory was monumental. It taught me that if I could break a habit that had plagued me for my entire life, I could change anything about my life for the better. And that’s exactly what I did (or, do)—sometimes slowly, sometimes radically. Each step forward deepened my belief in the power of self-transformation.

The Book of Mirrors: A Tool for Transformation

My Book of Mirrors chronicles my journey inward—the healing, the growth, the confidence-building, and the strengthening of my personal boundaries and abilities. It became my sacred space to document the process of becoming.

You may approach this Book of Mirrors with curiosity, an open heart, and loving intentions.

Let it become a tool of enlightenment.

The first piece of wisdom I must share is this: to be the most powerful witch you can be, you must accept yourself as you are. Not as you hope to be, not who you wished you were, not only your higher self, but the entirety of who you are right now. This means embracing every part of you—including your shadow self, or the parts of your personality that you keep hidden even from yourself—and working with that shadow in a healthy and constructive manner.

It is crucial to cultivate a strong sense of self and connect with your truest desires and intentions. These desires—the ones that come from your soul, the universe, or the divine—are the key to authentic magick. Magick and witchcraft are not tools to escape your problems, suppress your emotions, or bypass difficult life events with forced “toxic positivity,” or “spiritual bypassing.” Instead, it is a way to meet challenges head-on and work through them with grace and power.

Self-acceptance and self-love is not a destination but a continuous process. Even if you’re not fully there yet, holding the energy of loving acceptance and the intention to one day embrace all parts of yourself is enough to begin. Think of it as laying bricks on the path you’re already walking, solidifying your sense of self as you travel. Eventually, by embracing even the unknown or hidden parts of yourself, you’ll soon be standing on a paved path; your paved path, with the ability to tap into your full potential and use magick to create meaningful change in your life.

The Basics of Magick

~Intention~

Intent is arguably the most critical element in magick. Your intent tells energy where to go. It’s about focusing your will and desire on a specific outcome or goal.

~Energy~

Everything in the universe is made of energy, and as witches, we can learn to manipulate energy to create change. Energy isn’t created or destroyed—it’s redirected. Through intent, we can channel energy from one source to another.

~Correspondence~

The law of correspondence states: "As above, so below. As within, so without." This means our external world reflects our internal state, and vice versa. The relationships between elements, colors, symbols, numbers, herbs, scents, and movements influence how we create moods, rituals, and spells.

~Ritual~

Rituals are deliberate actions, often accompanied by spoken or written words, performed in a specific order to achieve a desired outcome. Tools like candles, incense, and crystals are often used to enhance the energy of a ritual.

~Spells~

Spells are a focused form of intention, using words, actions, and objects to manifest a specific result. They can range from simple to complex and often incorporate rituals.

~Divination~

Divination involves using tools such as tarot, pendulums, or runes to gain insight and guidance from the spiritual realm. It’s a way to find clarity about a situation or answer a pressing question.

~Meditation~

Meditation is essential for focusing the mind and deepening your connection to yourself and the divine. It can be used to raise energy, set intentions, or connect with spirits and deities.

~Ethics~

Many witches follow a code of ethics, often emphasizing “harm none,” personal responsibility, and respect for nature and all living beings, including oneself.

~Study and Practice~

Magick is a craft that requires learning and practice. Developing skills through study and experimentation deepens your understanding and strengthens your abilities.

~Connection to Nature~

Nature is both a source of power and a guide. By maintaining a deep connection with the natural world, we stay aligned with the divine source of all energy.

By beginning with self-acceptance and cultivating these foundational elements of magick, you can embark on a spiritual journey that is uniquely yours. Just don’t forget to self-reflect!

Mirrors in Witchcraft

The Symbolism and Energy of Mirrors

Magickally, mirrors are often associated with the element of water, representing emotions, intuition, and the subconscious. They’re also linked to the moon, governing cycles, reflection, and transformation. Mirrors hold the power to reveal, transform, and reflect, serving as gateways to deeper consciousness and hidden realities.

A Book of Mirrors is, at its essence, a mirror of the soul. It reflects not only who you are but who you are becoming. It is a tool of immense personal power, one that can illuminate your path and serve as a guide through the labyrinth of self-discovery. Personally, mirrors are my favorite tool. I have been using mirrors, mostly unknowingly, for divination, self-reflection, and manifestation for my entire life. When my use of mirrors became intentional, I experienced exponential growth and healing.

In sum, Mirrors themselves are potent tools in witchcraft, serving a variety of magical purposes.

Here are a few ways you can use mirrors in your own practice:

~Scrying~

Mirrors can be used for scrying, the practice of gazing into a reflective surface to receive insights, visions, or messages from the spiritual realm. Scrying mirrors are often black or dark-colored and may be consecrated with specific intentions or energies.

~Divination~

Mirrors can assist with divination, either on their own or alongside tools like tarot cards or runes. Reflections in the mirror can reveal symbols or messages, offering guidance or clarity about a particular situation.

~Protection~

Mirrors are powerful tools for protection, reflecting negative energy or creating barriers against harmful influences. They can also deflect curses and send them back to their source.

~Manifestation~

Mirrors can amplify manifestation work by reflecting intentions back to the universe. Visualizing desires in the mirror’s surface helps focus energy and direct it toward achieving specific outcomes.

~Self-Reflection~

Mirrors are invaluable for self-reflection and introspection. By confronting your image or exploring hidden aspects of your psyche, you can uncover repressed truths and integrate new parts of yourself into your consciousness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thank you for making it this far, stay tuned for the next chapter: The Elements of Nature and How to Use Them.