In ancient times, seeing your reflection was considered powerful magic. Then again, ancient man was pretty well limited to what they could make out in a clear, still pond. And while it may not be magic, I imagine if I had only seen my reflection a handful of times during my life that I would think it was a pretty big deal too. In primitive times, people concerned themselves a great deal with magic. You couldn't stub your toe without having to think about what god you had inadvertently offended.
By the time of the Romans (especially in the days of the early Republic), things hadn't improved much. Certainly logic had begun to eclipse superstition. People were no longer confused and scared by the idea of a reflection. But the privilege of being able to gaze upon oneself on a daily basis was reserved for those who could afford it. Most mirrors of this time were made of highly burnished metal, which did not cast a very accurate refection. One could probably have gone their whole life without seeing what others saw. Think about that. It's hard to imagine.
The Romans also gave us one of the most enduring superstitions about mirrors: the seven year curse. The Romans believed that there was a powerful connection between mirrors and spirits. If you broke a mirror, then the soul trapped within it also died. It was not a permanent curse because the Romans believed the soul regenerated every seven years. Luckily, this curse could be mollified by burying the pieces deep in the earth. Curses were common business for the Romans, so they figured out some bad luck loopholes.
There are many other superstitions that revolve around mirrors. For example, if a mirror falls from a wall it is supposed to mean that someone will die. Also, it is customary for mirrors to be covered in the event of a death, so that the soul of the deceased does not become trapped in a mirror. It seems there have always been strong correlations between mirrors, misfortune, and death.
Reflections and mirrors hold a powerful fascination for the human psyche. What do we see when we see ourselves? How do others see us? What do we want to see? How much of our self image is dependent upon what we see in a shiny piece of glass?
Mirrors also have a role to play in myths and fairy tales. They are archetypal. Mythology warns us against the dangers of reflections. Apparently, Adonis would have snorted his reflection if he could. Fairytales also tell us that mirrors can be evil. And that they can turn on you. Remember the Queen in Snow White? I can relate to her plight whenever I see a new wrinkle or grey hair.
But the Queen was not the only one to utilize the magical properties of mirrors. Practitioners of magic have long used mirrors (or crystal balls) for scrying. There are also party games (e.g. Bloody Mary) where people try to get a thrill by calling forth an evil spirit from a mirror. For me, this is akin to playing with Ouija boards. It should not be done. It is not a game. It is dangerous to try to call forth entities from the spirit world. Generally, it is not "good" spirits who are looking for a way back in.
This all boils down to the idea that mirrors can be repositories for wandering spirits. And while this may or may not be so, it is worth considering that mirrors are powerful repositories for memories. Not because there are gnomes living in the mirror. It is because each time you have ever looked at your reflection, it made an impression. Somewhere in your psyche is a stored memory folder called Reflections. It's probably buried somewhere in that 95% we don't actively use, but it's there. All those stored memories combine to help form perception of self.
But what does this have to do with hauntings?
If you move, it is a good idea to leave the mirrors behind. If the house was haunted, there is a chance the haunting entity can become trapped in the mirror and move right along with you to your new home. But even if that does not happen, some part of you will recognize all that fear and trauma in the reflection of the old mirror. Likewise, if the house was a place where physical or emotional trauma occurred, it is better to the leave the mirrors behind.
If the home was a happy one, I still recommend buying new mirrors for a new home. It is part of making a fresh start in a new place. The memories will always be with you, but you will be able to see yourself in a new light.
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