Welcome back, I’m Adeline Atlas, 11-times published author, and this is the Mirror Mirror series.

In today’s video, we’re exploring the role mirrors play in death rites, soul traps, and mourning practices. What most people don’t realize is that mirrors are not just reflective objects—they are deeply tied to spiritual and psychological realms. In many cultures, mirrors have long been believed to have the ability to hold spirits, trap souls, or even disrupt the natural transition of the deceased into the afterlife. That’s why it’s common practice in various traditions to cover mirrors during mourning—but why is this important, and what dangers do mirrors pose during this vulnerable time?

In this video, we’ll dive into why mirrors are covered after death, how mirrors can trap souls, and how neglecting this can result in psychic disturbances, spiritual interference, and haunting. We’ll also break down the cultural practices surrounding mirrors in death rites and offer practical advice on how to properly handle mirrors during mourning to protect both the living and the deceased. Let’s go deeper.

Mirrors and the Afterlife: What You Don’t Know

Mirrors have been regarded with a certain reverence and suspicion throughout history. They are much more than simply tools for self-reflection. They hold deep spiritual significance across multiple cultures. For centuries, many civilizations have viewed mirrors as gateways to the spiritual world, and in death rites, they are often used to either help or hinder the spirit’s journey to the afterlife.

Why?
Mirrors reflect energy—not just light or objects. When a person dies, their soul is thought to leave the physical body and travel into the afterlife. But mirrors are reflective portals, and in the realm of the unseen, this reflective nature allows them to magnify and distort energy—especially the energy of spirits. In some cases, a mirror can trap the soul, keeping it anchored to the physical world, unable to transition into the next realm.

This concept ties into ancient beliefs that mirrors hold the essence of the soul, acting as reflective surfaces where the spirit’s energy can become trapped. Some spiritual practices suggest that when a person dies, their soul reflection might become confused or stuck in the mirror. Mirrors become symbolic barriers, preventing the soul from moving on.

Cultural Significance: Why Mirrors Are Covered During Death Rites

In many spiritual and cultural traditions, it’s common practice to cover the mirrors immediately after someone dies. In Hinduism, Judaism, Victorian culture, and European traditions, covering mirrors is standard protocol to prevent the soul from becoming lost or trapped in the reflection.

In Jewish Traditions

In Jewish mourning rituals, it’s customary to cover all mirrors in the house during the Shiva period (the seven days of mourning). This practice comes from the belief that mirrors can reflect more than just the physical self—they reflect the soul. When a person dies, it’s said that the soul must undergo a transitional journey toward the afterlife. If a mirror is left uncovered, it is believed that the soul may linger in the reflection, unable to move on.

Additionally, mirrors are covered to prevent mourners from being distracted by their own grief-stricken reflections, allowing them to focus on the spiritual significance of mourning rather than on the physical loss.

Victorian Mourning Practices

During the Victorian era, mourning was a highly ritualistic and regulated process. A common practice in Victorian households was to cover mirrors and draw curtains after a death. In these traditions, it was thought that mirrors could act as soul traps, and the act of covering them was a form of spiritual protection for both the living and the deceased. It was believed that the soul might become confused or disoriented if it gazed upon its reflection after death, leading to spiritual disarray.

Victorian mourning customs also included black cloths over mirrors to protect the deceased from spiritual disruption—the belief was that if the deceased gazed into the mirror, they could become bound to the physical realm, unable to find peace.

South American and Caribbean Traditions

In Caribbean and South American cultures, it’s customary to cover mirrors during mourning or death rites to prevent spirits from being trapped or distorted in the reflection. In many of these cultures, mirrors are seen as portals to the spirit world, and it is believed that the deceased’s spiritual essence could become attached to the reflective surface if the mirror is left uncovered.

Mirrors as Soul Traps: How Spirits Can Become Trapped in the Reflection

Mirrors can act as soul traps, especially when the deceased has unresolved business or when there is spiritual confusion at the time of death. In some spiritual practices, mirrors are believed to reflect not only the physical appearance of a person but also the energy of the soul. This reflection can become a prison, holding the soul in place, preventing it from crossing over into the afterlife.

How Mirrors Trap Souls

The mechanism by which mirrors are thought to trap souls involves the reflection of spiritual energy. When a person dies, the soul energy is meant to transition out of the body and move toward the afterlife. However, if a mirror is present, the spirit may become confused by the reflection and mistakenly believe that it is still alive in the physical world. Instead of moving on, the spirit becomes anchored to the mirror, trapped in a spiritual limbo.

This concept is common in spiritualist and occult traditions, where it’s believed that the soul reflection in the mirror may not only distort the spirit’s path but also anchor it to the material world. Some believe that trapped souls are unable to pass over and must wander the physical world, unable to cross into the next realm.

The Risks of Neglecting to Cover Mirrors

Leaving mirrors uncovered after a death can lead to a host of spiritual disturbances. If the soul of the deceased becomes trapped in the reflection, it can cause unrest, haunting, and spiritual imbalance for the living. Here are some of the dangers of not covering mirrors:

1. Psychic Disturbances:
   If a spirit is trapped in the mirror, it can cause emotional and psychic disturbances for those who live in the house. These disturbances may include feeling watched, experiencing nightmares, or disruptions in sleep.
   
2. Haunting and Spiritual Attachment:
   If a spirit becomes trapped in the mirror, it may attach itself to the living, causing ongoing psychic interference. This can lead to hauntings, where the spirit manifests through the mirror and interacts with the living.
   
3. Unresolved Energy:
   Spirits that become trapped in mirrors may experience spiritual unrest. Without proper guidance or release, these souls may wander, creating a spiritual rift between the living and the dead. This unresolved energy can create an oppressive atmosphere, making it difficult for the living to move on emotionally and spiritually.
   

How to Protect the Soul and Close the Portal

If you want to ensure that the soul of the deceased moves on peacefully, here’s how you can safely deal with mirrors during mourning:

1. Cover the Mirrors Immediately
   As soon as the death occurs, cover all mirrors in the space where the deceased person’s body will be present. This is the first step in preventing the soul from being trapped in the reflection and helps to create a safe space for the spirit to transition to the afterlife.
   
2. Cleansing the Space
   Use sage or palo santo to cleanse the area of any lingering negative energy. As you do this, focus on clearing the area around the mirror. This process helps release any stagnant energy from the space, allowing the soul to move on.
   
3. Create a Sacred Space for the Deceased
   Set up a small altar or a sacred space for the deceased, complete with candles and offerings. This helps guide the spirit on its journey and ensures it is properly honored and released.
   
4. Use Protective Crystals
   Place protective crystals, like black tourmaline, selenite, or amethyst, near the mirrors or throughout the space. These stones are known for their protective properties, and they can absorb any lingering negative energy, helping to prevent any disturbances from occurring.
   

Mirrors are not just reflective objects—they are spiritual tools that have the power to hold and reflect energy. When it comes to death rites and mourning, mirrors can become soul traps, preventing the deceased’s spirit from moving on to the afterlife. Covering mirrors during mourning practices is an essential act of spiritual protection, ensuring the soul’s safe passage and preventing unwanted spiritual interference in the home.

In the next video, we’ll delve into the connection between children and mirrors, discussing how early exposure can influence psychic sensitivity, the dangers of mirrors for young ones, and the folklore surrounding children’s perceptions of mirrors. Until then, take care, and remember: mirrors reflect more than just physical appearance—they can reflect soul energy and trap it if we’re not careful.