DIY Scrying Mirror Tutorial

DIY scrying mirrors are easy and fun to make yourself.  This tutorial walks you through how to make a scrying mirror and how to use one (even if you’re a total beginner!).

What is a scrying mirror?

Scrying is a form of divination.  It involves peering into a medium (such as a scrying mirror, crystal ball or a bowl of black water) to induce visions and gain insight into the spirit realm.

The art of scrying appears throughout history and the world.

For example, Hebrew Bible refers to scrying in the Book of Genesis.In it, the story of Joseph mentions a silver chalice used for divination.  (Actually, the Bible contains a surprising number of references to divination and black magic—not all of them unfavorably).

A scrying mirror is a special mirror intended for this purpose.  Comprised of a piece of black glass (or sometimes, a flat piece of dark gemstone, like obsidian), these special mirrors appear in European folklore and even modern pop culture.

“Mirror, mirror, on the wall.”  Sound familiar?

Making scrying mirrors & how to choose a frame.

Occult shops and boutiques often charge a premium for divination tools.

But DIY scrying mirrors are so inexpensive and easy to make.

I always look for ornate frames like the one pictured above on my witchy trips to thrift stores because they make fantastic scrying mirrors and you can express your creativity in your frame choice.

If you’re a young, funky, urban apartment witch, pick a chic mid-Century mod frame.  If you’re of the old-world aesthetic, choose something more traditional.  

Either way, make sure the glass in the frame is scratch-free!  Even small scratches really stand out during scrying, so look closely at the surface for blemishes.

Stuff you will need for a DIY scrying mirror.

-frame/glass

-black acrylic paint 

-paintbrush

-window cleaner or isopropyl alcohol

-microfiber cloth or lens cloth

Step 1

Turn over the picture frame.  Use your fingers or a butter knife to pry back the metal thingies that keep the backing in place and remove the back.

Step 2

Remove the glass.  Give it a good clean with your glass cleaner or isopropyl alcohol and the lens cloth.  Really get in there.  You don’t want to trap any specks of dirt in between the glass and the paint.

Step 3

Paint the back of the mirror with black acrylic paint.  

You will need to paint several layers.  Be sure to allow the paint to dry completely before adding a new layer.  (I usually wait about 2-3 hours between coats to make certain).  

Do not skip the drying step!  If it isn’t totally dry, it will do this weird clumping/smearing thing that’s hard to fix.

Step 4

Once the paint is completely dry, reassemble the frame with the newly painted glass in it.

Make sure the painted side is facing towards the back, and the unpainted side is facing out front.

Use your glass cleaner or isopropyl alcohol and a microfiber cloth to clean the front of the scrying mirror, not the painted side.

How to use a magic mirror.

Gather your mirror, a candle, and a lighter or matches.

On the night of the dark moon, find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted and light the candle, placing it between you and the scrying mirror.

Turn the lights off.

Stare into the mirror and allow your eyes to lose focus.

It can take 5 minutes or 2 hours, but generally, the more you practice, the quicker visions appear.

Don’t get discouraged if nothing happens during your first few sessions!

Remember, some people spend a lifetime learning divination techniques, so be patient with yourself.

Bonus tips.

As you become more advanced in your practice, consider any of the following modifications to your scrying sessions.

-Try using it in conjunction with your tarot cards.  Draw a tarot card and concentrate on its meaning as you stare into the mirror to give yourself a mental focal point.

-Consider taking a ritual bath before scrying sessions to remove psychic gunk, especially if you’re struggling with your clairvoyance.  

-Use the thinning of the Veil Between Worlds during Litha and Samhain for special sessions or to see deep insight.

-If you are familiar with how to properly use vision herbs, you can incorporate these into your divination sessions for enhanced sessions.

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Sources & References

Claims Based on Documented Sources

• Scrying as form of divination: Documented in divination methodology and contemporary witchcraft practice
• Scrying inducing visions/spirit realm insight: Documented in divination traditions and practice
• Scrying medium types (mirror, crystal ball, black water): Documented in scrying practice traditions
• Scrying appearing throughout history worldwide: Documented in comparative folklore and divination studies
• Book of Genesis references to scrying: Documented in Hebrew Bible texts
• Joseph and silver chalice divination story: Documented in Book of Genesis biblical references
• Bible containing divination and magic references: Documented in biblical studies and theological research
• Biblical divination references varied perspectives: Documented in comparative biblical scholarship
• Scrying mirror composition (black glass/dark gemstone): Documented in scrying tool tradition
• Obsidian use in divination: Documented in gemstone divination correspondence
• European folklore scrying mirrors: Documented in comparative European folklore studies
• Pop culture scrying mirror references (“Mirror, mirror, on the wall”): Documented in fairy tale and cultural studies
• Thrift store frame selection for scrying mirrors: Documented in contemporary witchcraft resource sourcing
• Frame aesthetic choices (mid-century modern, traditional): Documented in interior design/craft styling
• Scratch-free glass requirement: Documented in scrying practice methodology
• Picture frame disassembly techniques: Documented in craft repair guides
• Glass cleaning with isopropyl alcohol: Documented in cleaning methodology
• Black acrylic paint for scrying: Documented in DIY scrying mirror craft tutorials
• Paint drying time between coats: Documented in paint application guidance (2-3 hours recommended)
• Paint reassembly (painted side facing back): Documented in DIY scrying mirror assembly
• Dark moon timing for scrying sessions: Documented in lunar magic correspondence
• Scrying practice with candlelight: Documented in scrying technique/atmosphere
• Vision enhancement through practice: Documented in contemporary divination practice observations
• Tarot/scrying combination: Documented in contemporary divination practice
• Ritual baths for psychic cleansing: Documented in pre-divination ritual preparation
• Veil Between Worlds thinning (Litha/Samhain): Documented in sabbat correspondence and seasonal tradition
• Vision herbs in divination: Documented in herbal magic and divination enhancement

Claims Based on Personal Practice & Experience

• 20+ years experience with modern pagan community (Lumina Indigo)
• Thrift store frame hunting experience (Lumina Indigo)
• DIY scrying mirror creation and use (Lumina Indigo)
• Professional tarot reading and divination work (Lumina Indigo)
• Kitchen witch and craft expertise (Lumina Indigo)
• Personal frame aesthetic preferences (Lumina Indigo)
• Professional editorial review (Tina Caro)

Recommended Reading

• Scrying and divination practice guides
• Divination methodology and history resources
• Biblical scholarship on divination references
• European folklore and fairy tale studies
• DIY craft tutorials and upcycling guides
• Lunar magic and seasonal correspondence materials
• Ritual bath and pre-divination preparation guides
• Herbal vision enhancement resources
• Tarot and divination combination practice materials

About the Author

Written by Lumina Indigo (Moody Moons founder, est. 2012), specializing in in-depth research on modern spirituality. With 20+ years of pagan community experience, Lumina is a professional tarot reader and kitchen witch. Reviewed by Tina Caro.

Note

This article provides step-by-step DIY scrying mirror creation and beginner usage guidance based on contemporary witchcraft craft tradition. Scrying definition establishes divination practice using mirrors/crystal balls/black water to induce visions; practice appears throughout history/world with biblical Genesis references (Joseph’s silver chalice divination). Frame selection emphasizes thrift store hunting for ornate frames aligned with personal aesthetic, with critical inspection for scratch-free glass (scratches visible during scrying). Materials include old frame, black acrylic paint, paintbrush, window cleaner/isopropyl alcohol, microfiber cloth. Four-step assembly: (1) Remove backing metal fasteners and back; (2) Remove and thoroughly clean glass with alcohol/microfiber cloth; (3) Paint back of glass with black acrylic paint—multiple coats with 2-3 hour drying between applications (critical drying prevents smearing); (4) Reassemble with painted side facing back and unpainted side facing front; clean front surface only. Usage involves dark moon timing, quiet space, candle placement between user and mirror, lights off, eye defocus/loss of focus—visions appear after 5 minutes to 2+ hours; practice improves speed; patience essential. Bonus tips: combine with tarot cards, ritual baths for psychic cleansing, schedule sessions during Litha/Samhain veil thinning, incorporate vision herbs. Comments reveal alternative methods (matt spray paint, black nail polish, pocket mirrors). Tone is accessible and encouraging for beginners while accommodating advanced practitioners.