The creation of the black and white mirrors is a huge part of Franz Bardon’s magical process. The process of achieving alchemical change begins by changing your personality into a nearly perfect one. This begins by discovering your positive and negative traits and later transforming the negative ones into positive traits.
The Magic Mirrors we are talking about while doing the early steps of Franz Bardon’s work are not mirrors in the conventional sense at all. In fact, they are just lists of adjectives. The term “Mirror” is used metaphorically to indicate that both lists are a reflection of who you are, and they enable you to take a long hard look at yourself. Confusingly, later stages of Franz Bardon’s works use the term Magic Mirror to also refer to the Mirror used in conjuration and for speaking with the dead, so you could easily mix up these two. I often write about Franz Bardon Magic Mirrors when referring to this work and the other mirror I frequently call a black scrying mirror.
You create a white mirror which is a list of your traits that reflect a positive attribute, and a black mirror which is a list of negative personality traits. Specifically, Franz Bardon refers to the white mirror as traits that are constructive and the black mirror as traits that are destructive. I find these terms reductive and simplistic, and instead prefer to ask whether they reflect the element well balanced in the individual or not. Traits which destroy obstacles could be considered positive, and traits which create injustice could be negative rendering these words ineffective for this purpose.
I detailed this process and its appearance in other occult paths in a previous article. You can read that here.
The following is a series of diary prompts, which should empower you to create the white and black lists extremely thoroughly. You don’t need to do it all in one go, but if you take one or two sections a day and suppliment your black and white mirror lists with related traits that come to mind, then at the end of a month, you should have a very thorough list indeed.
- Anger
- When did I last feel a “flash” of heat or saw red, due to anger?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Will and power
- When did I last feel a surge of power and/or focus?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Revenge
- When did I last feel a desire for revenge?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Courage
- When did I do something courageous last?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Determination
- When did I last feel a surge of determination?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Enthusiasm
- When did I last feel enthusiasm for something?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Gossip
- When did I last participate in gossip?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Frivolity
- When did I last do something frivolous?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Boasting
- When did I last boast about something?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Optimism
- When did I last get optimistic about something?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Diligence
- When did I last act diligently?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Kindness
- When did I last demonstrate kindness?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Speak without thinking
- When did I last speak without thinking?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Seeking Emotional Validation
- When did I last catch myself seeking emotional validation?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Laziness
- When was the last time my actions could be construed to demonstrate laziness?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Shyness
- When was the last time I could have been seen to be acting shy?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Oversensitvity
- When was the last time I acted sensitively? Was I oversensitive?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Compassion
- When did I last demonstrate compassion?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Modesty
- When did I last feel a surge of power and/or focus?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Tranquility
- When did I last act in a tranquil manner or feel tranquil?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Empathy
- When did I last demonstrate empathy?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Hurt by a Comment
- When was the last time I was hurt by a comment? Am I easily hurt?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Stagnate
- When was the last time my actions or life could be perceived to have been stagnant?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Melancholy
- When did I last time I wallowed or felt melancholy?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Greed
- When was the last time my action could be construed to have been greedy?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Sloth
- When did I last time my actions could be considered to demonstrate sloth?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Stubbornness
- When did I last act in a way that people might perceive as stubborn?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Reliability
- When did I last demonstrate that I was reliable?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Punctual
- When did I last keep a habit of punctuality?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Late
- When was I last late? Did this persist?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Responsible
- When was the last time I took responsibility for things?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Stuck
- When did I last feel stuck? How did I handle it?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
- Rock for someone else
- When did I last time I acted as a steady firm rock for someone else?
- What caused this to come about?
- What is the main element this is related to? Is it purely one element or could it be others? What other elements could be involved?
- If this element were perfectly balanced, how would I have acted?
- Overall, does this specific instance reflect the “Black Mirror” or “White Mirror”?
- Do I react differently now?
- Should this be included in the Mirrors? If so, write it on the appropriate Mirror list with the most relevant element or elements.
Once you have completed these questions, then you have a thorough list of attributes which you can begin to transform into more positive attributes, which is the first step in achieving alchemical change.
Good luck!