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Mirror, Mirror


In "The Women's Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets," Barbara Walker says ancients believed any reflective surface, solid or liquid had mystical powers because the reflection is a part of the soul. Hence, soulless beings like werewolves and vampires, show no reflection in the mirror.

The mirror is connected intimately to water, through the story of Narcissus and Echo. Various water orisha wouldn't be caught dead without their mirrors. Across cultures, water represents a mysterious spirit world. Walker closes her beautiful entry on mirrors sharing some Buddhist thoughts on reflections in the mirror; the belief that reflected images are a phantom of the mind.


For the past few years, or realistically to be honest, the better part of the last decade I have avoided the magical mirror on the wall. Lately though, I have been catching glimpses when I go by the mirror that intrigue me so much that they have entered the landscape of my dreams. The other night, I saw an amazingly fit and strong goddess woman in the mirror. Surprisingly enough, that goddess woman was me.

In my mundane life, I have started to pay attention to that image I see in the mirror. I see a transitioning body--a body whose transformation fascinates me. Today as I greet this day, 18 pounds lighter, I go forward reflecting lightness in body and spirit.

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