Black obsidian scrying mirror

The most famous scrying mirror in Europe, now in the British Museum, is a polished disc of Aztec obsidian once used by John Dee, astrologer to Elizabeth I.

Origin & Traditional Use

Obsidian is natural volcanic glass, formed when lava cools too quickly to crystallise. Polished flat, it gives a deep black reflection that has been used for divination from Mesoamerica to Tudor England. The scryer relaxes the eyes on the surface until images, colours or impressions arise.

Uses by Tradition

Witchcraft & Folk Magick

• Candlelit gazing: in a dark room, set a candle behind or beside you so no flame shows in the glass, and gaze softly for ten to twenty minutes.
• Questions: hold a single question in mind while gazing and write down whatever arises, however small.
• Warding: a small mirror faced outward from a window or door is used to turn back ill will.

Ceremonial & Occult Magick

• Spirit contact: in the tradition of Dee and Kelley, a scryer gazes into the stone while the operator records what is seen and heard.

Demonology & Black Magick

• Necromantic gazing: used to call and see the dead, on the dark moon, with graveyard dirt or incense on the altar.

A Simple Working

• On a night near the dark moon, darken the room.
• Light a white chime candle and set it where its flame does not reflect in the mirror.
• Burn a pinch of mugwort on charcoal.
• Rest your gaze on the mirror without focusing, breathing slowly.
• Ask your question once, aloud, and keep looking.
• After twenty minutes, close your eyes and write down everything you saw or felt.
• Wrap the mirror in black cloth until its next use.

Pairs Well With

• Mugwort: the traditional herb for vision and divination.
• A white chime candle: for steady, low light while gazing.
• A black stone scrying bowl: for water scrying alongside the mirror.
• A black velveteen bag: to store the mirror out of the light.

Lore & History

Polished obsidian mirrors were sacred objects in Aztec religion and are linked to Tezcatlipoca, whose name means ‘Smoking Mirror’. Dee’s mirror is thought to have reached Europe after the Spanish conquest of Mexico; with his scryer Edward Kelley he recorded long conversations with angels in the 1580s.

What You Receive

Polished black obsidian scrying mirror in 2″, 3″, 5″, 6″ and 8″ sizes, and in 8 cm, 10 cm and 12 cm sizes with a stand. The smaller mirrors are about 1/4″ thick. Natural stone, so small imperfections are to be expected.