from Saunders’ The Basics of Magic

Communication mirrors are one of the earliest spells witches developed because they make contacting others much easier. The spell for communication mirrors was originally a type of scrying spell, so when they were first developed, communication mirrors were simply a scrying mirror that could also be used to communicate others. However, over time, witches realized combining the two spells made the mirrors harder to enchant and neither scrying nor mirror calls worked well. So in modern times, communication mirrors and scrying mirrors are completely separate.

There are several versions of the spell to enchant communication mirrors, although all of them are simple to cast. The most common uses unicorn water, lavender oil, clary oil, faedust, a clear quartz bowl, and white linen. (The amount of spell ingredients needed depends of the number of mirrors being enchanted.) While crooning “Scathan virtu, ostende kwelli chanas,” repeatedly, the ingredients are all combined in the bowl. (Rhiannon descendants also focus their will to enhance the spell.) When the magical liquid begins glowing and bubbling, the witch casting the spell places the mirror(s) into the bowl then covers it with the linen. After absorbing all of the magical liquid, the mirror(s) are communication mirror(s). Typically, this spell must be renewed once a year.

If more than one communication mirror are enchanted together, these mirrors are linked and can innately call each other. (Most often communication mirrors are enchanted in pairs.) Communication mirrors not enchanted together can still call each other, but the caller must know the call signature of the other’s mirror. Most who possess communication mirrors only share their call signature with family, close friends, or those they must work with.

Once enchanted, using communication mirrors is straightforward and requires no magic, and even those who aren’t witches can easily use them. To activate a communication mirror, the caller chants “ostende” (and the other’s call signature if needed) then waves a hand at the mirror. The communication mirror glows white until the other answers the call and the mirror clears to show them. To deactivate a communication mirror, one of the callers just waves a hand at the mirror, which glows white before clearing to reflect them like an ordinary mirror. After each use, most communication mirrors must be recharged, usually with sunlight.

Despite their simple spell and ease of use, only witches or the affluent typically possess communication mirrors. Witches often enchant their own, so although some of spell ingredients are expensive, they can afford to spend that once a year. Plus, witches often need communication mirrors to contact other witches. Whereas the affluent can afford to purchase communication mirrors, and owning one signifies influence and status because the council receives communication mirrors to be able to meet from their country estates when council isn’t in session in Ormas.