According to legends, zerkalytsias have many powers and abilities. You must be very careful if you ask something from them.

For example, zerkalytsias know the future but reveal it to very few. Only two exceptions exist. Young girls may ask about their future beloved (fiancé), but they must perform a special ritual. This ritual comes with many warnings. Once the fiancé’s face appears, the mirror must be covered, or the session interrupted. An evil spirit could accidentally come out of the mirror, pretending to be the reflection. In reality, it may try to possess the victim’s body.

Parents can also ask the zerkalytsia about their child’s future, but risks are high. What she shows can frighten both child and parent. Evil spirits might come through the mirror and capture or corrupt the child’s soul. This is why young unbaptised children should not be brought near mirrors.

In other respects, the zerkalytsia is kind and friendly to the household residents. When someone dies, she mourns like everyone else. Legends say the person’s soul remains in the house for three days. During this time, the zerkalytsia can comfort the soul or show its image through the mirror. People often take special care of mirrors during these days.

Relations with Other Beings

Zerkalytsias do not like other supernatural creatures, such as chugaisters, domoviks, or kryksy. They scare and drive these beings away. For this reason, mirrors act as protective charms against unwanted spirits.

Interestingly, zerkalytsias do not like each other either. They are said to be jealous of the house’s residents. This is why having several mirrors in one room brings bad luck.

What Zerkalytsias Like

They love when sunlight shines on them. This sunlight can be a path for the Zerkalytsia into our world, helping it to cleanse and gain strength. That is why Ukrainians used to take mirrors outside every few months.