What is Shadow Work and is it Life-Changing?
First things first, shadow work isn't all macabre...
My most intense descent yet was within the year of having my daughter, Daphne -- although her pregnancy did give warning.
That invitation felt like it was happening to me. I heeded, albeit cautiously, to the call. This portal gave way to the rediscovered ability to embrace the dark and know-how to gather up strength in my maternal line, willingly, time and time again.
⊹⊹⊹
What is Shadow Work?
Ready or not, here I come...
To answer the posed question above, shadow work is to be aware of, know and integrate your “dark side”. The things you hide from others and at times, even yourself.
Doing shadow work means sitting with the uncomfortable edges we feel and examining negatively labeled parts of life through deep witnessing.
We’ve all had meddlesome emotions, memories, and experiences of people in life...
Some of us are taught to habitually repress what is cloaked in darkness for the sake of protection and preservation.
However, what’s in the dark still exists despite ignorance. Shunning parts of ourselves cuts us off from feeling our fullness, remembering our innocence, and taking in our entirety.
Interrupted fullness could look like: holding back, diverting from healing by perpetuating false stories, self-deception + being influenced by fear whether we know it or not.
Shadow work is reverence for self-care beyond surface level cliches. I offer a comprehensive and transformative, yet introductory experience inside of the Reflection + Shadow Work course.
Inside, you’ll be guided through processes of appreciating your *whole* self, even the shudder-worthy parts of life. Learn to find comfort in grey areas and rewrite the stories your mind repeats in an attempt to keep you safe…
Next question →
Is Shadow Work Life-Changing?
In a word, yes. Befriending the shadow is worth it. With support, benefits outweigh risks... eventually. This is refinement we're talking about, so, the Saturnian long-game turns the magic. Adjusting entire lineages takes keen devotion.
Like I said before, my Daphne-induced decent transformed ancestrally deep unpleasantries and made space for so much reclamation of power. The power to be at peace, the power to process, the power to protect and so on...
Here are some ways shadow work may change your life:
🖤 Self-awareness— when your shadows want to express themselves, you'll more often be able to recognize + channel them in serving ways vs. lashing out or repressing their associated emotions.
🖤 Improved self-confidence— you empower yourself to accept your strengths + nurture insecurities leading to a restored sense of trust.
🖤 Better relationships— recognizing the relational traumas within your shadow self can help you break harmful cycles + improve your romantic, parental and platonic relationships.
Are you ready to clear the cobwebs? Shadow work takes accountability to actually break cycles... It takes looking into the mirror and asking yourself, am I the problem? Are you willing to look at the roles you play in suffering? Are you willing to extend grace to admittedly gruesome parts of self?
If yes, you may be ready for some shadow travel.
You can find guidance on methods + practices for shadow work inside of the Reflection + Shadow Work course linked below.
Ways I’ve learned to integrate →
Shadow Work Symbols from Follow Your Heart Oracle Deck
Why I’m Not Afraid
The reason I'm not afraid to return to the pain of the past thru 𝐬𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐰 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 is because I'm bravely armed with a blend of supportive tools.
My shadows are held in the safety + structure of:
• prayer with angels + guides
• knowing myself thru reflection
• seasons with therapists -- transpersonal, somatic, and energetic
• ancestral relationships + exploration
• ritual, elemental and animal allies -- plants, oracle, music, spider
• an encouraging partner + home container
• self care practices -- journaling, movement, nourishment
• sisterhood community -- virtual + IRL
• and most importantly, trust in the process.
⊹⊹⊹
When we look back, we are weavers --
willingly backstitching
to strengthen the fabric of our lineage.
Return home,
in your new garment,
securely covered,
in a patchwork of your wholeness.
👇🏽 Will you join me in your season of descent + reclaiming taboo power?👇🏽
If you’re curious about shadow work, you may also like this:
Download this class if you’re curious about auric armor, psychic security and subtle energy support as it pertains to the natural world.
There you have it — the answer to what shadow work is and how it can change your life. Do you have anything to add? Any questions? I welcome you to write me in the comments below.
Bliss be with you.
Image credits: Eden Blue Photography (Image 1) and Emmah Violet Films (Image 2)