| Past Lives Meditation* This is a meditation which uses the black mirror. This sort of meditation may be used on it's own or with a dark aspect ritual like a Sidhe Moon or Dark Moon Esbat. Incorporate your own ideas for a more rewarding experince. If you feel the need for music, be sure it is soft and does not overpower your meditation. It's probably a good idea to keep the music very low so it does not interfer with your mental focus. Be sure you have already cleansed, claimed, and decidecated your mirror before use! I recomend a wash infused with mugwort to wash it to help with divination and meditative properties. An alternative to the "black mirror" would be smoothed, polished obsidian. This is an excellent tool for otherworld meditations; however, consecrate it with burdock root NOT salt. Be seated at a table or before the altar. Light a black candle (pillar, stick, or votive) in it's holder, using the centre altar candle and say: "This candle glows to light the path into Darkness." Place the candle in front of teh propped-up black mirror. You may feel the need to drum or shake a rattle gourd as you chant: "I call upon the Dark and Past; the Ancient of Days in the Realm of Repast. Unleash to my sight the paths I have roamed; and show me the forms of live I have known." Look past the candle into the mirror to gaze into your own eyes. Continue to shake the gourd and chant without truely paying attention or listening; focus on the mirror and watch as teh face changes into those of past lives. Do not be suprised if you see faces of teh opposite sex or unknown beings. Not all lives need to be considered from the past, some may be yet to come, or are on other planes. Once you have finished, stop shaking the gourd if you find you still are and say: "The memories of past and future are shown; the faces of me in Time are now known. Blessings I give to the Veiled One of Night; for through this mask am I given the Sight. Cover the mirror with a black cloth and snuff the candle. Proceed with the Esbat ritual or take some refreshment and ground yourself. * Previously published in Llewellyn's 1998 Magical Almanc |