Personally, I remain a bit skeptical of the whole concept of past-life regression. Mainly, I think that if reincarnation happens--and it probably does, in some form--it's got to be more complicated than the linear progression of costume changes thought up by New Age authors. (I mean, we already know that time and space operate in totally trippy ways, so why should the progress of souls be so neat and tidy?) Also, I'm not sure how spiritually productive regression is, even if it works. From what I've observed, discussion of past lives is too often used as a doorway to escapist fantasy, or a convenient way to rationalize bad behavior in this life. And arguably, there's a good reason that we don't remember (much) about past life experiences once we're born into our current body. It's an underrated gift to get a fresh start with a new lifetime, to be able to focus on the here and now.
But I don't mean to dismiss the practice of past-life exploration. At the very least, it's pretty harmless way to pass the time and explore parts of your self that may be hidden. And we can't ignore the fact that some people find (re)discovering their past lives to be genuinely instructive and inspiring. I think that if you're going to go that route, scrying is the best method. Plumbing your own past-life memories is way more reliable than other ways you could go about it, such as getting a past-life reading from a psychic or being regressed by a hypnotist. This way, you're not allowing someone else to directly influence your perceptions or memories via suggestion. Even if you don't have memories of past lives, or don't believe that you've lived before, this exercise can have value. You can use this technique to explore hidden sides of your personality, or simply as a way to feel connected to people with bodies and lives different from your own.
Okay. To scry past lives:
Use a black mirror, if you have one, or a regular mirror in a dim room, ideally at night. If you already have a reflective medium that you prefer, such as water or crystals, then by all means use that. The idea is to have a surface that allows you to gaze at your facial features, but not so clearly that you start counting your pores or something. Set up a dim light source, such as a single candle placed behind you, a lamp draped with a cloth, or moonlight, if you're so lucky. (You may have to experiment to find the right lighting.) Seat yourself comfortably upright, with the mirror propped up at an angle or held in your hands.
Once you're all situated, the next step is relaxation. Take some deep breaths, and clear your mind of all worries, distractions, and expectations of what you're going to see. (You might also want to review some of my scrying basics.) Then gaze gently at your reflection.
At first, you'll see your face. Your face is unique in the world, and your response to your own reflection is unique to this moment. Take a minute to note your reaction to your own image. Does it please you, startle you, make you feel critical? Does it look familiar or unfamiliar? What is your facial expression? Then, once you've had these thoughts about your face, let go of them. Continue to focus on your reflection without thinking anything, concentrating on your breath if it helps.
At some point, the image will change, fade or disappear. This may happen right away, or it may take a rather prolonged period of gazing at your refection. The first sign of success is often dissociation: You see your features, but they seem arbitrary, as if you were looking at a photo of a stranger. Sometimes the face will fog over or black out, or the features may shift, morph, or swim. Your reflection may appear to change gender or skin color. This sight can be jarring, but if you can hang onto your focus, then the vision has begun.
If you're having trouble detaching yourself from the reflection, try this visualization: As you look at your reflection in the mirror, imagine yourself getting younger and younger. Any wrinkles or other signs of aging begin to disappear, as if you were slowly rewinding a time-lapse video of your life. With each breath you take, the curves on your face soften, and your features grow larger in proportion to your face. See yourself as a young adult, then as a child, an infant, and finally, just a field of darkness. Know that the darkness is teeming with life, and that your face is about to re-emerge in a different form. Then watch the emptiness and wait for what comes next.
You may find yourself gazing at one still face, or several in quick succession. Like strangers on the bus, some will evoke no real response, while others will give you the feeling that you know them intimately. If you see someone with whom you feel especially connected, try to go a little deeper into the vision. See if you can transfer your awareness to that other person. What does it feel like to inhabit his or her specific face and body? Do you feel strong or weak, fat or thin? Are there any sounds, smells, or physical sensations that stand out to you? What are you wearing, and what are you doing? If your scrying vision is sufficiently developed, you may be able to look out at your surroundings, and even explore or interact with them. If not, even just seeing another face looking back from a mirror can be a powerful moment.
When you've seen enough, it's time to return to your own body. Step back from the vision the same way that you entered. With your physical eyes, see the face reflected in the mirror, and remember that it is yours. Will your eyelids to open and shut, your nose to wiggle, etc., and see the face in the mirror dutifully respond. Take a few cleansing breaths, and put the mirror away in a safe place. The final step is to write down what you've experienced. If you're good at drawing (or even if you're not, who cares?) you could sketch a little portrait of the folks you've seen or been.
Happy trails, y'all,
M
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