Featured Phobia: Catoptrophobia (fear of mirrors)

Say that one three times fast. Catoptrophobia, catoptrophiblia, catroptohobi…Let’s just call it fear of mirrors. This should be one we’re all well aware of, and why not? Everyone is raised on some myth about a monster in the mirror, usually Bloody Mary, sometimes Candyman if you prefer horror movies to stories. When we’re toddlers, we learn about object permanence, and examining your reflection is a major part of the process. It’s also oddly magical in a manner of speaking. You see yourself, and deep down the primitive part of your soul may wonder whether that’s actually you looking back, or something far more sinister.

Catoptrophobia isn’t really about fearing the mirror itself. It’s the reflection. Reflection of the self, of objects, or even words being mouthed. Some people find this fear so entrenched that even seeing a shiny surface that can reflect an image back, whether it’s clear or not. A vast majority of sufferers associate mirrors with the supernatural, and these fears can often stem from religious or superstitious beliefs. Sometimes it merely relates to poor self image, as with those suffering from body dysmorphia.

Gradual exposure, psychotherapy, and ‘talk therapy’ through support groups are common ways of treating this fear. However, given that it can relate to concerns about the supernatural, even homeopathic remedies might have a place for the sufferer who believes in them. At the end of the day, my only real advice to you is fairly simple. You can run, you can even hide your reflection, but never break a mirror. I think you know why.

Additionally, I can’t resist sharing this scene from my favorite Nightmare on Elm Street film (part 4), so for those who haven’t seen it – – you may want to sit this one out.

Horror Flick of the Week: The Witch’s Mirror AKA El Espejo De La Bruja (1962)

Spanish is a beautiful language, no matter the dialect. Mexican Spanish in particular is the one I’m accustomed to hearing the most (being from Texas.) I love the husky quality of a slow speech in a Mexican film, especially when you combine it with the crackle of old cinema, and the eery atmosphere of shadows created in a black-and-white picture. Combine that with angry witches, curses, mirrors…you’ve got yourself an incredible picture.

On a dark night, preferably a rainy one too, watch this one by candlelight. Keep your phone off. Don’t let anything distract you…and soak it in like a bath. It’s how all true horror should be experienced, especially dark classics like ‘The Witch’s Mirror’, which tells the story of a witch…obviously…who tried to protect her god-daughter, but failed…and seeks vengeance on the young woman’s husband who murdered her through the power of the same magic she had tried using for good.

Vintage Comics: Monster, Issue #1: The Monster, The Mirror (Cover – Pg. 14)

Don’t let the Burt Reynolds-esque Hulk on the cover deceive you. The monster in this comic looks nothing like that. In this first comic, I didn’t have so much fun with the actual story as just admiring the style. I love the heavy shadows and expressions the artist employs with all of the characters in this comic. The second story was equally impressive with it’s own flare of style and femme fatales. I honestly just wish the second one could have been a bit longer and the first a bit shorter.