mirror divination

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Tibetan word for mirror divination is Ta which means – that which is coming forward very clearly. Guardian and protectress that is connected to mirror divination is Dorje Yudronma. She promised that those beings who have connection with her will have wisdom of clear visions and seeing. In Tibetan tradition for those who are using mirror divination is believed that they have ‘special eyes’. ‘Special eyes’ are inherited from one’s ancestors or from previous lives.

A Mirror is usually made of glass, silver or brass, and it reflects visions or words in response to question. At first, a seer is practicing to see colors, shapes, pictures, then at the next level he or she is seeing words and sentences. When a person is skilled enough he or she doesn’t need a mirror at all.

Answers are usually short and direct, and it is very important to know how to form a question if we want correct and straight answer.

Some believe that the mirror should not be read by a diviner, but only virgin boy or girl who has no more than 15 years has ability to perform divination.  I believe that the only important thing is that a person inherited ‘special eyes’ or he or she is willing to do intensive retreat that is connected to the special guardian (in this case Dorje Yudronma).

I found this explanation of mirror divination practice.  Performance of the Dorje Yudronma mirror divination should be done in a quite and peaceful place. The mirror is placed in a container filled with grain, itself standing on top on a clean felt cushion. The diviner then sprinkles vermilion powder (Sindura) and recites the mantras of the ritual. In front of the mirror is placed a small crystal stupa or a piece of crystal, and at the back, a five coloured flag (representing the Buddhas of the five families) is attached to an arrow. On the right, is a ritual cake offering decorated with butter ornaments and on the left a red coloured cake offering. Around these are arranged offerings of drink, roasted barley flour (tsampa) mixed with butter, incense and various kinds of wood.

In front of himself or herself, the diviner places a vajra, a bell and a damaru (drum), some barley and vermIlion powder to sprinkle in the drink, as well as an arrow to which is tied a white scarf. He or she then generates himself or herself as a deity and performs the preliminary ritual for removing obstacles according to the ritual of Tam.

Following this, invocations are made to Dorje Yudronma, one of Tibet’s chief protectors, who holds an arrow with the five colours in her right hand and a white silver mirror in her left. The diviner then requests the goddess to give a correct answer to the questions asked.

The mirror is not read by the diviner but by a virgin boy or girl no more than 15 years old. The child, who must be clean and well dressed, sits on a cushion under which has been drawn a swastika, symbol of stability. He or she is asked to pick up a stone, wrap it in a pieces of red cloth and place it under his or her knee and is made to drink the orange tinted libation. Blessed ears of barley are placed on the child’s head, which is the wrapped with a turban.

The diviner cleans the mirror and lights the butter lamp. The child looks into the mirror and, depending on the type of divination which has been requested, sees either pictures, like sequences in a film or letters. Letters require written questions, which have been given to the diviner. The child describes the visions to the diviner who interprets and explains them in terms of the questions which have been asked. The reader of the mirror has no knowledge of the questions asked and the diviner does not see m the mirror; however, they are complementary and mutually dependent for this type of divination. The child’s ability to read the mirror disappears at puberty, and thus the diviner may use different children at different times.

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Picture: Public Domain, Divination Mirror of the State Oracle of Tibet

Explanation of the mirror divination practice I found is here.

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