Are Mirrors a "New Age" Feng Shui Cure?
The question posed by a reader, Are Mirrors a “New Age” Feng Shui Cure?
The response is, no. The use of mirrors dates back around 300 CE, during the emergence of Magical Taoism. This system of Taoism used shapes, the 5 elements, yin-yang principles, communing with nature spirits, benevolent and malevolent spirits, soul rescue and retrieval, utilization of power artifacts, establishing altars, and methods of protection were all part of the founding principles for Magical Taoism. These very principles have been filtered down into the founding roots of Modern-day Feng Shui, such as with BTB Feng Shui practices.
In regard to the use of mirrors, practitioners (shamans) of that time used mirrors to protect homes. And yes, modern-day Feng Shui consultants who choose to follow in the footsteps of the Magical Taoism traditions, they too will still utilize convex, concave, or flat Bagua (Pa-k’-ua) patterned mirrors to deflect away harmful energies from the home.
Why use the octagon-shaped patterns? It’s believed the octagon shape helps increase the power of a mirror’s use for protection. While at the same time, the octagon shape helps to call in good health and good fortune.
Convex Bagua Mirror
The convex mirror is the one that is bowing out, like a dome or fisheye. It is a more aggressive way of dealing with the negative energy as it bounces the energy back from where it came. This is not recommended in modern-day feng shui practices as a perpetual cycle of negativity seems to bounce between the source of the malevolent interaction and your home. However, there can be exceptions from time to time.
Concave Bagua Mirror
A concave mirror (the mirror that “caves in”) is said to neutralize or even eliminate the negative energy by pulling it into the mirror vs the home. Due to this constant point of attraction (pulling negative energy in toward the mirror), it’s recommended to replace the concave mirror at least once, just as you would do with the Feng Shui Salt Cure.
Flat Bagua Mirror
This mirror design is said to neither absorb nor bounce back negative energy and more so, neutralizes the interaction of malevolent energies. Think of this as the Tai-Chi mirror cure. And yes, it can still have the octagon shape surrounding the flat mirror.
there are two Bagua Mirror designs to be mindful of
Image by Laura Cerrano of Feng Shui Manhattan
There is the Early Heaven and Later Heaven Bagua mirror design. When it comes to protection, look for the Early Heaven Bagua design surrounding the mirror. This is the design with the three unbroken lines on top (Chi’en trigram) symbolizing the energy of Heaven. You can see a clear image of what this looks like below.
Typical situations when a Feng Shui Bagua mirror could help
Dealing with a T-junction intersect
A very busy business or residence
Facing across from a cemetery
Facing a piece of abandoned land
Facing a house with aggressive design features pointing at your front door
Facing a house with negative energy very close to your house (constant arguments, fights, aggression, etc)
Facing a construction site
Placement of the mirrors?
Typically, these types of mirrors are placed outside above the front door or a large window, facing in the direction of the intrusive energy.
What If I Don’t Want to Use Any Of These Feng Shui Mirror Cure Options?
If you choose not to use any of the Feng Shui Mirror Cure options to protect the energy of your home, no worries! Feel free to modify (as this is what shamans have done for centuries - adapted as needed). Some clients of mine have decided to simply use the shape of the octagon and place within the center of the octagon shape a different symbol that they personally resonate with and feel brings them and their home peace, harmony, balance, and blessings. Remember, there are varying factors that contribute to the overall energy of every space. So this is just one of many Feng Shui approaches to raising the vibration of your home that could be adopted into your home and lifestyle.