The Benefits of Shadow Work

Shadow Work is looking at the uncomfortable and ugliness of your life. It helps confronts and heal every side of you.

Spirituality and healing isn't all love and light. Shadow work includes the shadows and darkness. It makes us delve into our unhealed trauma, bad decisions and our true feelings about things and people we would probably never say aloud or want to acknowledge.

The Journey is Worth it

Shadow work can take weeks, months or years. But the beauty of it is that it makes us appreciate how far we have come. Healing the inner child, the traumas that are locked away and finding who you are NOW. What you want to achieve NOW? What is important to you NOW?

Shadow work is never done or a one all, be all. It is best to do it voluntarily by taking a moment to address anything that is bothering you in that moment. “Why am I feeling this way?” “What triggered this response to this person and/or situation?”

These questions can be difficult to answer in the moment but are worth exploring because in the long run, you can explore a long-hidden trauma or characteristic you didn’t know about.

To help get that clarity, write in a journal and write without structure. Write whatever is on your mind, draw and explore what is currently bothering you and why.

It Takes a Village

Next, talk to someone you trust. This is where having a therapist or counselor can really benefit your shadow work/dark night of the soul. Having a medical trained professional that you trust is beneficial, healthy, and safe way to go into the process. Or it can be a close friend, family member or spiritual/religious teacher who can be a guiding hand.

Doing Shadow Work shouldn’t HAVE to be a lonely journey, it is about having a support system overall. Pieces that connect and makeup a picture of a puzzle which can make you feel whole.

Shadow Work is not all doom and gloom.

 It is also about acknowledging the good you have done and all of your accomplishments. That is something you should not forget about while on your healing journey. Be proud of yourself and how far you have come. Then make goals on what you want to achieve. Be sure these goals are doable and reachable. It’s all about the baby steps.

The Force of Change

More times than not, Shadow Work is brought on by a Dark Night of by the Soul which is an abrupt and event that changes your life- death, divorce, moving, a new job… something that shakes your structure and comfort zone.

For any tarot readers, the Tower card is what represents this point in people’s lives. Sudden events force us to look back into our values, who we are and what we want.

If a person doesn’t have a therapist, counselor or close person to talk to. Journaling combined with Tarot or Oracle cards can do wonders. They can be used as validations and guiding points in your shadow work journey. Some people have other divination methods such as rune stones, bones or candles but the point is that they rely on spirit and divination to give indicators on what to focus on.

It is even better when you have someone to go to who can read your cards once a month to see if you’re on the right track. Just be sure to also use your discernment.

Shadow Work isn't for the Weak

As you go along in your journey, make sure to be gentle with yourself. If you need a break from this, take one. But soon after return to it to stay consistent in your path.

When it becomes too much, journal, breathe and have that favorite cup of tea or coffee. It'll get better, I promise.