Chances are you’ve heard the age-old superstition “Break a mirror and you’ll have 7 years of bad luck”. Whether you believe in superstitions or not is a different matter altogether, we’re here to discuss this legend and ways in which you can break this curse by properly disposing of a broken mirror.
It is believed that the broken mirror superstition dates all the way back to the Romans, who believed that the soul would regenerate every 7 years. What do souls have to do with broken mirrors? Well, the Romans also believed that the reflection in a mirror is not just a representation of one's physical appearance, but it is also a reflection of one's soul. So, when you break a mirror, you’re then having to wait for an entirely new soul to rid yourself of the bad luck, hence the 7 years of bad luck.
Other people believe that mirrors were actually devices of the Gods, instead of one’s own soul. So when a mirror was broken, it would anger the Gods, who in turn would torment the person responsible for breaking the mirror.
No matter what superstition you believe, or none at all, here are a few different hacks to keep in your back pocket to ward off 7 years of bad luck, the next time you, unfortunately, break a mirror.
Throw Salt Over Your Left Shoulder
As soon as possible following the breaking of a mirror, be sure to get some salt in your hands, and throw some over your left shoulder. The theory behind this hack is that by throwing salt over your left shoulder, you are throwing the salt directly onto the Devil who lurks there.
Spin in a Circle 3 Times
If you don’t have salt on hand, be sure to quickly spin around in a circle 3 times. But, don’t just start spinning, be sure that you are spinning counterclockwise, so as to confuse the spirits you’ve upset from breaking a mirror. Be careful, don’t just go around spinning in circles for no reason, as you’ll actually bring bad luck upon yourself.
Grind the Mirror into a Find Powder
Take the pieces from the broken mirror, and grind them into a fine powder, using any method you are comfortable with will prevent you from seeing your reflection in the broken shards. If this is the hack you decide to use to ward off bad luck, be sure you are careful and wear safety goggles and gloves.
Toss the Broken Mirror into a South Running Stream
If you’re really worried about having 7 years of bad luck and have time on your hands, this could be the hack for you! Legend has it that when you toss the broken mirror pieces into a south-running stream, the stream will wash away the bad luck in 7 hours, instead of 7 years. If you don’t have close access to any river or stream, you can simply run the shards of the mirror under running water in your sink. This has to be the easiest and simplest way to wash away bad luck!
Blacken the Mirror with Fire
In order for this hack to be effective, you don’t necessarily have to use fire to blacken the mirror fragments. Use a flame, fire, candle, lighter, stove, or anything flammable to black the mirror pieces and then bury them exactly one year later. While you have to wait one year before you can bury the pieces, be sure you are cautious so as not to experience bad luck before you get them buried.
Bury the Mirror
Another relatively easy hack to combat 7 years of bad luck is to simply bury the broken pieces of mirror, far into the ground where the spirits can’t find them. If you choose to use this hack, it is best to accomplish this task at night, so your reflection is less likely to be taken with the broken pieces.
Next time you are unfortunate and break a mirror, remember all these hacks to combat the bad luck that is sure to ensue!
