The genesis of the Spanish word espejo ("mirror") dates from about year 1220 and its origin is in the Latin word speculum (derived from the archaic Latinspecere, "to look at"), which has also given rise to the word speculation, meaning "to observe" (also applied to the observation of the sky and the relative motions of the stars, with the help of, precisely, a mirror).
From there, close to the term "consideration" ̶ which has common root with "sidus" which means "look at all the stars" ̶ "mirror" refers to highly intellectual nature operations linked with transcendence, associated with the contemplation of Heaven.
Beyond being widely used as a tool dresser in the great ancient civilizations of Egypt, Greece, Etruria and Rome, the mirror is a reflecting surface, and precisely for this reason, it is a metaphorical and symbolic support of tremendous value in the order of knowledge.
This has been used in stories in the West, in the rituals of Chinese secret societies, in Novalis' recitation Lehrlinge Die zu Sais (The Apprentices to Sais), as in Mallarmé's poem as well. In the Japanese tradition is the revelation of the truth and therefore purity. It is in the same perspective that Yama, the Indian-Buddhist ruler, used a mirror of karma for Judgement.
In the mirror, the vains of all time find the latent danger of their own end, brilliantly and forever hinted by the Greek mythology, through the story of Narcissus.
Our times have it equally well present: the mirror answers Snow White stepmother's queries; in Harry Potter it does not show the image itself but the own desires; in Alicia is the gateway to a reverse world; for Tolkien it has the ability to show the future; and to Oscar Wilde it reflects "all things in Heaven and Earth".
The universal nature of the mirror through all uses in Mankind history, culture and geography, also includes various forms of shamanism ̶ using crystal rock, as the utensil employed in Europe from the XIII century onwards ̶ , and even in the ritual of the Pygmies of Africa.
The mirror reflects what is, as it is: the truth, the final intent, the content of the heart and conscience, all in its broadest meaning, encompassing episodes ̶ perhaps metaphorical, perhaps not ̶ where it has been exchanged nothing less than for gold.
The truth revealed by the mirror can come from a higher order: evoking the magic mirror of Ts'in, the Nichiren Buddhist monk ̶ who lived in the Japanese Kamakura period (XII to XIV centuries) ̶ compares it to the Buddhist Dharma, showing the cause of past actions.
The clean mirror, instrument of lighting and clarity, is a symbol of wisdom and knowledge; while the dust-covered mirror represents the spirit obscured by ignorance.
Looking in the mirror demands courage, because no one is quite sure what he/she will see. It is a decision that belongs to the co-creator vital impulse of the manifestation, and germinates in the humility of heart.
It naturally nourishes a kind of attitude to salvation; or at least, towards overcoming, since ̶ by approaching the truth ̶ people take the hand of their own dignity.
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