Journeying through the mirror
Eyes are the windows to the soul.
This is a phrase I grew up hearing all the time. Yet as a woman growing in a masculine world, a world that is filled with toxic ideals of femininity, beauty and ambition, has caused me to shy away from connecting to myself through gazing into mirrors. This is a habit that I know many sisters around the world, in all shapes, sizes, and ages, develop to protect themselves from feeling further pain.
When I started my healing journey I remember one of the very first steps I took was to start looking into the mirror - it was in an effort to get comfortable with my body so I can take photos and document the memories I'm constantly creating. Through developing my spiritual practices, I learned about the multi-dimensional world we live in. I learned about accessing different levels of consciousness through breathwork, meditation, movement and mirrors. I considered those tools and skills as pathways to my underworld, to the unseen, and to the spirit realm. This is the world through which I uncovered my depths. I was shown my true form, who I am away from judgement, pressure, and social conditioning.. I was taught about my gifts, abilities and pains. I connected to ancestors, my inner-child, my higher self, my wise woman, my wild woman, and my enchantress.
The mirror is a powerful portal of healing that connects many skills when working with it. It goes beyond space and time. Revealing the secrets of the universe to you, IF you know how to listen and observe.
In honour of the winter coming up, a time that is best spent reflecting and going inwards, as well as it being witchy season, I wanted to share with you a mirror work practice designed to connect you to your inner child and reignite a loving and healing relationship with it. I’m choosing to focus on the inner child because as children that's when we have the brainwaves and the mentality that allows us to connect and embrace the magic that exists in the world. It’s the time when we see colours brightly and our hearts are open and courageous.
For this practice you will need:
a candle,
a mirror,
a picture of your younger self,
an offering for younger you,
an item you've had since you were a kid,
and a journal.
Dress in comfortable clothes, and if you can, put on some music that you loved as a child. Then start with taking a deep breath. Connect to your body through your breath. Notice how your body contracts and expands as the air travels through you.
Light your candle to begin the creation of sacred space and take a moment to go into the vibrations of the room. How does it feel in your heart to sit in this space? Is it peaceful ? triggering? Nerve-wrecking ? exciting? Move with the beat of the music as you identify the sensations in your body. And remember to take deep breaths making sure to exhale longer than you inhale; this way you're showing your body that you're safe. You can do this until you feel ready.
Now that you’ve awakened your body, sit in front of the mirror, look at the picture of a younger you and then gaze into your eyes. State what you love about younger you. State how younger you made you who you are today. Allow yourself to feel the gratitude you have towards yourself. Tell her how much you appreciate her and love her. Tell her about your achievements and goals. Simply be present with yourself.
Remember to keep looking straight into your eyes. I know this is very challenging if you're not used to it, especially the first few minutes when all your insecurities, doubts, and fears are coming up. When you start to see shadows in your face and you're unable to focus I want you to push through by looking at the picture of your younger self or by holding on to the item you’ve had since you were a kid. Then take a deep breath and go back to looking into your eyes.
Notice the dialogue that you have with yourself. what emotions are coming up? where in your body are you feeling numb or wanting to close up ? What insecurities, illusions, and/or old beliefs are you holding that you wish to let go of?
When you’re ready, ask what younger you needs the most and offer it to them. if it's love, attention, or a hug, give it to them. Then you can tell younger you what YOU want from them. Is it love as well? Connection to magic? Your sense of curiosity? playfulness? courage? innocence and purity? offer them something you've always wanted to have as a kid but never got the chance to. Sit here for a few minutes. Feel the exchange. Envision what it would be like if younger you received everything that they've ever wanted. Feel it in your heart how it would be like for you to receive what you so deeply desire and crave from your younger self. keep looking into the mirror while placing your left palm on your heart, listening to your heartbeat. Breathe slow deep breaths. Stay here for as long as you need.
To close the practice, tune back into the music you have in the background. Connect to the beat and allow yourself to move your body freely. This will help you reconnect to the present moment. When you feel the practice concluding take one last deep breath in and exhale a loud sigh.
Take time to integrate this practice and make sure to journal about your experience so you can go back to it and extract the knowledge you need in a future time.
You did it! This is a practice that you get to go back to as often as you need. The more you do it, the stronger your connection to yourself will grow and the faster you get to remove any blockages preventing you from accessing the life you deserve.