Welcome back, I’m Adeline Atlas, 11-times published author, and this is the Famous Magical Mirrors Series.

In today’s video, we’re diving into one of the most powerful and mysterious mirrors in magical history—John Dee’s Black Obsidian Mirror. This mirror has intrigued historians, occultists, and spiritual seekers for centuries. It was more than just a reflective surface—it was a gateway to the spiritual realms, a tool for divination, and a means of angelic communication. But what is the story behind this black obsidian mirror? Where did it come from, how did it influence John Dee, and what made it such a significant part of his spiritual practices?

Today, we will unravel the mystery, the power, and the legacy of this mirror, starting from its origins to its role in one of history’s most enigmatic figures, John Dee.

John Dee: A Man Between Science and Magic

Let’s start by overstanding the man who wielded this mirror—John Dee. Born in 1527, Dee was a Renaissance polymath—a man of science, mathematics, and alchemy, but also a passionate occultist. He was an advisor to Queen Elizabeth I, a scholar, and a prophet. His work ranged from the precise study of astronomy and geometry to the mystical arts of alchemy and magick. Dee believed that knowledge was the gateway to divine wisdom, and his quest was to overstand the true nature of the cosmos—the physical world and the spiritual one.

Dee’s intellectual curiosity drove him to explore spiritual realms that many of his contemporaries dismissed. He believed that by connecting with the angelic realm, one could access divine wisdom that was not available through conventional means. Dee’s fascination with the unseen was rooted in his desire to overstand the hidden forces that shaped the world and the universe.

But Dee was not just an observer—he believed that knowledge was meant to be shared. He sought to bridge the gap between science and spirituality. One of the key methods he employed in his quest for divine wisdom was the use of tools of divination, including crystals, scrying mirrors, and most famously, his black obsidian mirror.

What Is an Obsidian Mirror?

Before we dive into the story of John Dee’s use of this mirror, it’s important to overstand the mirror itself—what is an obsidian mirror, and why was it chosen for such profound spiritual work?

Obsidian is a volcanic glass, formed from the rapid cooling of lava after a volcanic eruption. It has been used for thousands of years by various cultures for tools, weapons, and ritual purposes. What makes obsidian so unique is its smooth, glassy surface—a surface so reflective that it can mimic the qualities of glass mirrors, but with a deeper mystical connection.

Obsidian mirrors have long been used in spiritual practices, particularly in scrying—the practice of gazing into a reflective surface to gain insight, receive visions, or communicate with spirits. Unlike ordinary mirrors, which reflect only the physical world, obsidian mirrors are believed to reflect the spiritual and energetic dimensions, allowing practitioners to connect with the unseen.

In Dee’s time, obsidian was not just any mirror—it was a sacred object, one that could pierce the veil between the physical and spiritual realms. It was believed that the darkness of the obsidian mirror represented the unseen, the mysteries of the cosmos that lay just beyond the veil of human perception.

The Mirror’s Purpose: Divination and Angelic Communication

John Dee didn’t use the obsidian mirror for vanity or simple reflection. His mirror was a sacred tool, used for divination—the art of seeking divine guidance from spirits or angels. But why use a mirror? What was it about mirrors that made them such a powerful tool for spiritual communication?

Mirrors, throughout history, have been seen as portals—not just for physical reflection, but for spiritual insight. The ancient Egyptians believed mirrors could reflect the soul, and the Greeks thought they were portals to other worlds. Dee’s use of the obsidian mirror was rooted in this ancient belief that mirrors could reveal the unseen—whether that was hidden knowledge, spiritual entities, or glimpses of the future.

Dee’s primary method of using the mirror was in angelic scrying. Along with his spiritual partner, Edward Kelley, Dee used the mirror to call upon angels and receive messages. Kelley would act as the medium, gazing into the mirror and reporting what he saw—visions of angelic beings, divine messages, and prophecies. These messages were written down by Dee and became the basis for the Enochian language, a sacred language believed to be revealed by angels to Dee and Kelley.

The mirror was not just a tool for seeing visions; it was a spiritual conduit, allowing Dee and Kelley to tap into higher realms and receive messages that could not be accessed through normal means. The mirror allowed them to pierce the veil between the physical world and the spiritual world, enabling them to receive divine guidance and prophetic insight.

The Obsidian Mirror’s Magical Influence

What could Dee see through his obsidian mirror? What kinds of visions did he receive from the angelic realm? While we can’t know for certain what Dee saw in the mirror, we do know that his visions were integral to his spiritual work.

Dee’s angelic communications were not simply about seeking knowledge for personal gain—they were part of a larger, more profound purpose. Dee sought to overstand the cosmic order, to uncover the secrets of the universe, and to gain access to divine wisdom that could help guide the world through the tumultuous times of the Renaissance. His angelic communications were meant to help him see beyond the physical world and overstand the hidden forces at work in both the spiritual and material realms.

The visions seen through Dee’s mirror likely provided him with insights about his own soul, the future of England, and the nature of the cosmos. For Dee, the mirror was more than just a tool of prophecy—it was a gateway to divine knowledge, an object through which he could connect to the higher realms and gain insight into the unseen.

The Mirror’s Journey: From Dee to the British Museum

After Dee’s death, his occult tools, including the black obsidian mirror, disappeared for centuries. For a long time, it was believed that the mirror had been lost to history—a forgotten object from an ancient time. But the mirror resurfaced in the 18th century, when it was acquired by the British Museum, where it remains today.

The mirror’s journey from Dee’s hands to the British Museum is a fascinating one. Over time, Dee’s magical instruments became scattered and lost. The black obsidian mirror, which once connected Dee to the angelic realm, became a relic of the past—an artifact of a time when science and magic were intertwined.

Today, the mirror serves as a symbol of Dee’s legacy, his unrelenting quest for knowledge, and his belief that the spiritual realm could offer profound insights into the nature of the world. The obsidian mirror stands as a testament to Dee’s work as one of the most influential figures in Western occultism, a man who sought to bridge the gap between science, spirituality, and magical practice.

The Obsidian Mirror’s Legacy: Modern Spiritual Practices

Even today, the obsidian mirror remains a powerful tool in modern magick and spirituality. In occult traditions, the mirror is used for scrying—to gain insight into the future, to connect with spirits, and to perform spiritual work. Practitioners who work with the black obsidian mirror often use it to gain deeper insight into their own soul and to communicate with divine beings or spiritual guides.

The legacy of John Dee’s obsidian mirror endures as one of the most iconic tools of divination in occult practices. Today, spiritual seekers and occultists alike still use obsidian mirrors to unlock hidden knowledge, access higher realms, and confront the deeper, shadowed aspects of the self.

Where Is the Mirror Now?

The obsidian mirror is currently housed in the British Museum, where it remains one of the most important objects of historical and magical significance. The mirror is displayed as part of the museum’s collection of occult and Renaissance artifacts, allowing visitors to glimpse into the world of John Dee and his spiritual practices.

The mirror’s journey from Dee’s personal collection to its current location in the British Museum reflects its importance as not just a physical object, but as a cultural and spiritual relic. It represents Dee’s legacy as an individual who bridged the realms of science and spirituality, and it continues to be an object of fascination for those interested in the mystical arts.

Today, the black obsidian mirror is more than just a magical artifact—it is a reminder of humanity’s quest for higher knowledge, spiritual awakening, and the enduring power of mysticism in the face of rationality.

The story of John Dee’s Black Obsidian Mirror is not just the story of a magical object—it is the story of a man’s quest for divine wisdom, a bridge between science and spirituality, and a tool used to pierce the veil between the physical world and the spiritual realm. Dee’s obsidian mirror represents the profound mystical legacy of a man who sought not only to overstand the material world but also to connect with the divine forces that shape it.

In the next video, we’ll explore the Venus Mirror of Beauty and Death, and how this mirror became a powerful symbol of love, vanity, and self-destruction. Until then, take care, and remember: mirrors are not just reflective surfaces—they are portals to the spiritual world.