03/11/2026
Old Folk Remedy for the Luck of a Broken Mirror
In old village folklore, breaking a mirror was said to scatter your reflection into fragments.
The worry was not that something evil had happened, but that your fortune had been startled and shaken.
The old remedy was simple.
First, gather the broken pieces carefully and place them in a cloth or paper. Do not leave them scattered around the home.
Broken glass lying about was believed to keep the misfortune wandering.
Then step outside with the bundle.
Stand facing away from the house and turn three times counterclockwise.
In folk belief this motion unwinds the twist of bad luck and sends it away from your path.
After the third turn, the glass is taken somewhere away from the doorway of the home.
Some traditions say to bury it in soil, while others say to touch a tombstone or old stone marker with one shard before discarding it.
The stone was believed to draw away lingering misfortune because stone holds stillness and finality.
Once the glass is gone, wash your hands and return home. The old belief was that the bad luck had been carried off with the fragments and would not follow you back.
Many folk witches also light a candle afterward and say a simple phrase such as:
"What was broken is finished.
What was scattered is gone.
My path remains my own."
Whether one believes the superstition or not, the ritual itself serves a purpose. It marks the end of the moment and allows the mind to move forward without carrying the worry.
— Darklady
