Photography by ALEXANDRIA CORNE
There once was a woman who lived in a tiny village at the forest’s edge. She kept to herself with only a few good books for company, as she felt a quiet ache that settled deep in her bones, reminding her that she would never be good enough. It lingered in the spaces between laughter, in the hush of early morning when the world was still, and in the moments when she stared at her own reflection, searching for something, anything, to make her feel worthy. It didn’t help that her peers thought of her as lacking, like an unfinished spell or a recipe missing a vital ingredient.
“Your hair is too unruly,” her friends would tell her as they got ready together for festivals. “You’ll never find a husband,” her aunts would say as they worked on the mending.
“Walk straighter, think quicker, do better, be stronger…”
So she went through life like a slow- moving fog in the forest. Uncertainty weaved its way into her thoughts, dampening the fire in her soul until all that remained were smoldering embers of self-doubt. Her longing for the recognition of others caused her to withdraw completely.
In the evenings, as the community settled down and prepared for bed, she ventured to the one place she could go and dream of being like everyone else. She’d always felt the pull of the forest— the way the trees stood guard over her and the mossy earth cradled her every step. She walked its winding paths, seeking solace beneath the tangled boughs.
Then one evening as she walked the familiar trail, she noticed the air held a different kind of magic. The wind carried an ancient lullaby that lured her deeper, past familiar groves of cedar and hemlock, past the ivy-entwined stones and rustling creek, until she reached a clearing she’d never seen before. At its heart stood an ornate mirror, its gold frame draped in delicate gossamer webs that shimmered under the moonlight. She hesitated; her pulse quickened. “It can’t be,” she murmured.
There was a legend that told of a mirror hidden deep in the woods, one that did not simply reflect but revealed. The elders spoke of seekers who found the mirror at just the right moment, when they were ready to witness their own truth. She could hardly believe the tales were true, but there it was, nestled in the moss at the base of a tree, as real as she was. She reached out, brushing away the lace-like threads, and peered into the glass. At first, she saw only her own face and the dark hair that framed her rounded features. But then the image wavered. The woman in the mirror straightened, her eyes glowing with quiet strength. The lines of self-doubt softened. The reflection radiated something she’d never dared to see in herself before: worthiness. Beauty, not from how the world measured it, but from the fierce spirit within. She leaned closer, studying every detail of the face before her. It was hers, yet it was more. It was the woman she’d been before the world told her who she should be, before doubt crept into her bones.
A flicker of memory surfaced—her childhood self running barefoot through the fields, laughing at the sky, unafraid of her own light. The woman in the mirror was that same child but now with the wisdom of years, the resilience of a heart that had been broken and mended, the quiet power of someone who’d walked through darkness and found her way back to the stars. Tears welled in her eyes, not from sorrow but from a deep, aching recognition. She’d spent so long searching for worthiness outside herself, hoping someone else would fill the empty spaces in her soul. But the mirror had no lies to tell, no illusions to spin.
It showed only the truth. Love, strength, and worthiness had been inside her all along. The trees around the clearing rustled and the air thickened with magic. She reached out a tentative hand, fingertips brushing against the cool glass. A warmth spread through her chest, as if the reflection had stepped forward and wrapped her in an embrace.
A wind stirred the branches overhead, and the mirror shimmered one last time before the glass dulled. She exhaled, a weight she hadn’t known she was carrying lifting from her heart. She turned from the clearing, the night air cool against her skin, and she walked home with a new understanding. She no longer needed anyone’s approval to complete her.
She was already whole. As she stepped away, the clearing darkened, and the mirror’s frame melted into shadow, vanishing as though it had never been. But the woman knew better. She knew it was still there, waiting. Somewhere deep in the forest, wrapped in gossamer and moonlight, the mirror remained, holding its quiet magic for the next soul ready to see their own light.
Embracing the Reflection
Throughout history, mirrors have been revered as both tools of divination and gateways to hidden truths. In fairy tales, they are portals to other realms; in mythology, instruments of transformation; and in magic, conduits for self-reflection and personal growth. The act of gazing into a mirror is more than just seeing our physical form; it’s an opportunity to look beyond, to explore the depths of our soul, and to uncover the truths we often hide from ourselves.
Yet much like the gossamer webs that veil a forgotten mirror in the woods, our perceptions can become clouded by fear, doubt, and illusion. Through the magic of mirrors, we learn to brush aside the veil that obscures the view of ourselves as we really are. The earliest mirrors date back to around 6000 BCE and were made of polished obsidian. These early mirrors were not just tools for vanity but were often linked to spiritual and supernatural beliefs. The ancient Greeks and Romans practiced catoptromancy, a form of divination using mirrors or reflective water to receive visions.
The Chinese believed mirrors had the power to repel evil spirits. Feng shui practices still use mirrors to reflect and redirect energy. The Victorians believed mirrors could hold remnants of past energies, so they were covered after a death to prevent the spirit from becoming trapped within the reflective surface. These historical perspectives remind us that mirrors have always been more than simple objects. They are tools of insight, capable of revealing the mysteries of our inner world. When used with intention, a mirror can be a powerful ally in self-discovery, allowing us to confront fears, recognize strengths, and embrace our personal journey with clarity.
By working with a mirror, we can gain insight into our path, deepen our self-love, and call upon the energy needed for transformation.
The Sacred Act of Seeing Yourself
We are taught early to fear our own reflection, to critique every perceived flaw, to see only what we believe to be imperfect. But what if we changed the story? What if, instead of looking for what’s wrong, we sought out our own strength? These exercises are designed to help us undo our long-held fears.
Morning Mirror Affirmations:
Begin each day by gazing into your mirror and speaking affirmations that empower you. Statements like “I am worthy,” “I embrace my power,” or “I honor my path” can reinforce self-love and confidence.
• Dream Reflection: Before bed, look into a mirror and ask for clarity in your dreams. Keep a journal nearby to record any messages or symbols upon waking.
• Past-Self Meditation: Hold a mirror and visualize yourself as a child. What would you say to your younger self? What love or reassurance does your younger self need? This practice can be deeply healing and enlightening.
So don’t be afraid, dear reader. The mirror waits.
Its surface, once clouded with doubt and illusion, clears as the gossamer veil is gently lifted, thread by fragile thread. And there, beyond the reflection of what the world expects, is your wild, untamed self, woven from shadow and light, rooted like the trees and shifting like the river.
A Magic Mirror of Your Own
Much like gently removing the gossamer webs from a hidden mirror, looking past our imperfections requires patience, courage, and the willingness to see ourselves fully. The good news is you don’t have to journey into an enchanted forest to find a magic mirror. In fact, any small mirror will do.
You will need:
• Any small handheld mirror (preferably one you feel drawn to)
• A white candle (for clarity and truth)
• A few drops of rosemary essential oil (for mental clarity)
• A journal and pen
Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed. Gently anoint your candle with the rosemary essential oil. Inhale the scent as you do so, allowing it to clear your mind and sharpen your focus. Light the candle and place it in front of you. Hold the small mirror in your hands, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. Feel its energy, its smooth surface, and the possibilities it holds.
When you feel ready, say something like: “Mirror of truth, light my way,
Through the night and through the day. Brush aside the gossamer veil,
Reveal the truth without fail.”
Open your eyes and gaze into the mirror. Look beyond your physical features and into the depths of your reflection. Be open to whatever emotions or messages arise. You may receive images, words, or an intuitive knowing. If doubt creeps in, remind yourself that this is a sacred practice of self-discovery. When you feel a sense of completion, place the mirror down, snuff out the candle, and take a moment to journal about your experience. Write down any thoughts, feelings, or insights that came to you.
Your reflection is more than what the eye can see. It is a doorway to the soul, waiting to be explored. Through intention and practice, the mirror becomes a sacred ally, guiding us toward self-discovery, self-love, and the infinite potential within.
