What is shadow work?….

I’m sure you have all heard the term ‘shadow work’ as its a big topic, but did you know what is really is and how it impacts your magic?

Carl Jung has a fabulous quote,

‘Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate’

So we all have a ‘dark side’ right, the side that you hide from everyone and perhaps you don’t even understand it or are aware of it.

You react in certain ways that seem to be automatic, unconscious and self destructive at times….. and that’s the shadow.

The shadow is all of the beliefs, habits and traits that you have collected over your life, especially your younger years, and the ones you deem unacceptable are banished into your subconscious.

Dismissed, rejected and shamed.

So as Carl Jung states, what lies in our subconscious will continue to sabotage us until we recognise it and release it.

So you can see the connection here to why this adversely affects your manifesting power right?

You have picked up beliefs around money that block you from allowing in your true financial desires or you have some unhealthy thought patterns around relationships that leave you always winding up with the same clowns.

The list goes on and on and some of its pretty hard core and traumatic to address.

I absolutely recommend Carolyn Elliott’s book Existential Kink if you are heading into your own shadow work journey. She is a genius.

Facing parts of yourself that you would rather shove in a box can be a challenge, but integrating your shadow self allows you to become whole and will improve your manifesting no end!

Repressing your shadow can make you:

Confused about who you are and what you want

Disassociate from your feelings, feeling numb

Act reckless or self destructive

Overreact to situations

Have unfulfilling relationships

Seemingly powerless at manifesting the things that you dream of.

So its pretty hardcore stuff, you need to go steady with this type of work and be KIND to yourself through the process. Be honest, dig deep and take your time.

The effects of shadow work can be life changing such as:

Emotional and psychological maturity

Improved relationships

More accurate world view

Better health

More fulfilled life, less baggage

My 5 tips on how to do your own shadow work:

Notice your own behaviour and reflect on when you seem to overreact without thinking. Can you remember what triggered it, maybe someone said something or you were reminded of something from your past.

How do you really feel about money, love or your health? Do you say one thing but really think another? What beliefs have you adopted from other people or your family?

Do you notice any self sabotage behavior showing up and maybe you can see a pattern around a certain bit of your life like money or love?

How honest can you be with yourself? Like, real honesty.

Do you ever deeply regret your actions or words afterwards, but at the time you just couldn’t help it? Its like something else takes over?

Have a think about those things and see if you can reflect and journal on how you feel and what you discover about yourself. You will start to see patterns in your behaviour and you don’t need to run away or deny their existence anymore.

The pain and hurt can be acknowledged so that your shadow can play this game of life instead of being reactive.

Shadow work helps you to accept that which you’ve found unacceptable so that real change, healing, and transformation can occur.

So go steady, this isn’t a self hate exercise! Light a white candle and journal the crap out of it!

It’s a way to understand yourself and to release you from these subconscious stumbling blocks that often create pain and misery.

It also opens up more magical power as you begin to release the stuck energy around your goals and dreams.

Embrace your inner witch and make friends with your shadow.

Erin