A closer look at our shadow…
While the term shadow work was once predominantly used in the field of analytical psychology, content inspired by its principles can now be found all across social media platforms as users incorporate it into their spiritual practices. The idea of shadow work is not as unfamiliar as many believe it to be. In fact, anyone who has undergone an equivalent to “the dark night of the soul” has likely engaged in this practice unknowingly.
So what is shadow work? Conceived by Swiss psychologist Carl Jung in the 20th century, shadow work involves getting in touch with your “dark side” or your shadow self. Your shadow self is all the aspects of yourself that have been repressed during your life, typically during childhood, in order to be loved and accepted by those around you. It results in a mental disconnect between our true selves as we create a more palatable persona to adorn in public. Oftentimes we attempt to adhere to this persona as often as possible which can lead to projecting repressed traits and emotions onto those around us. Everyone possesses a shadow; literally and figuratively.
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The point of shadow work is to bring those repressed and unconscious traits to our consciousness so they can become reintegrated into our personality. It is a practice of healing and self-growth that advocates for the suspension of judgement towards oneself. As opposed to rejecting all the thoughts you don’t want to think, feelings you don’t want to feel, and suppress the parts of yourself that you dislike, you are asked to embrace them. The key is to surrender and accept. Practitioners of shadow work are encouraged to enter the process with an attitude of compassion and understanding towards oneself and their experiences. Contrary to how it may sound, it is not a dangerous practice to engage in. While it is undeniably a challenging process, it provides an opportunity for self-exploration which deepens your connection with yourself. All it takes is a conscious effort to reverse a lifetime of conditioning. It is a long and difficult process of introspection, however, once you find the courage to begin to peel back the mask you wear daily to rediscover your true essence, the liberation you feel makes it all worthwhile.
In order to discover your shadow, you must take an honest look at yourself in the mirror. Look inside yourself and ask what components of yourself justify your self-image and reality. Reflect on what makes you defensive and ask yourself why. Dwelling on why you feel or react to stimuli a certain way often reveals more about yourself than you think. I’ve found that this is a key tool to help you uncover your shadow. Pay attention to your emotional response to those around you. Carl Jung states “Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” There is no set period of time one needs to dedicate to shadow work before they are fully integrated. It’s a lifelong journey. Although taking a few minutes at the end of each day to reflect on your interactions with others and the emotions they illicit can help tremendously.
“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.”
Carl Jung
There are numerous methods for partaking in shadow work; being conscientious of your emotional responses and reflection is merely one of many. Other common methods are journaling, meditation, visualization exercises, therapy, art, music, and many more. Some people engage in an active dialogue with their shadow, which comes back around to the idea of asking why. Challenging your self-image is another. Make a list of your positive qualities, then counter it with a list of the negative. Look at what you dislike about yourself. Work to identify with the negative traits and understand the origin of your dissatisfaction with them. If you’re willing to do some extra research, explore Robert Moore’s shadow archetypes or Ken Wilbur’s 3-2-1 Shadow Process. You can find many prompts, guided meditations, videos, and other tools for shadow work online with a few clicks of a mouse.
Personally, my preferred means of shadow work are therapy and journaling. Speaking to someone helps me stay on track with the intention behind these exercises and help prevent me from spiraling if the topic cuts too deep. Journaling allows me to have a safe space where I’m more comfortable being completely honest about my feelings and provides the option to return to the prompt after reflecting on it for a few days.
Shadow work has many benefits aside from being a liberating experience. It can increase your self-esteem and overall confidence as you learn to be comfortable in your own skin. You rediscover your own personal power and find more balance in your life and self which can enhance your craft. Both people and nature have their own balance of light and dark. Embracing the darker side of ourselves can deepen our connection and understanding of the world around us. It can also unveil why we are attracted to some aspects of witchcraft more than others. It can strengthen your intuition, improve your relationships with yourself and others, cultivate self-awareness, and bring you closer to self-actualization. The more you embrace and befriend your shadow, the more you’ll begin to live your life authentically which will lead to the discovery of your inner wisdom and life purpose as you gain access to your higher self.
Sources:
Wikimedia Foundation. (2021, July 15). Shadow (psychology). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shadow_(psychology).
Russell , T. (2021, June 8). How to get in touch with Your dark side through shadow work. Shape. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.shape.com/lifestyle/mind-and-body/mental-health/what-is-shadow-work.
Jeffrey, S. (2021, February 3). Shadow work: A complete guide to getting to know your darker half. Scott Jeffrey. Retrieved October 11, 2021, from https://www.scottjeffrey.com/shadow-work/.
Banner Art Credit: Vanessa Bahna, 2021
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