“Everything that annoys us about other people might help us learn more about ourselves. Jung, Carl
Light and optimism are highly valued in the spiritual community. Quite a few of us describe ourselves as “There is nothing wrong with being a lightworker. But since everyone has a dark side, focusing entirely on the good would be spiritual bypassing.
The “The term “shadow” was first used by psychologist Carl Jung. It’s the aspects of ourselves that we’d rather not acknowledge. the shadowier sides of ourselves that we bury, neglect, or repress. We may make an effort to conceal certain aspects of ourselves or outright deny them. Our shadow selves can occasionally be perceived, but only in the background of our thoughts. Sometimes we purposefully or accidentally don’t know anything about them.
According to Jung, the energy patterns that make up our shadow selves include “subpersonalities that we rejected as kids. As a coping mechanism, we pushed these traits deep into our subconscious.
In This Article...
What is “Shadow Work
Simply said, shadow work is a method for revealing our shadow selves. We are able to change harmful behaviors, mend previous wounds, and grow happier and more self-assured when we bring our shadow into the light.
However, the shadow is always present, even if we choose to ignore it. It won’t go away by pretending that our shadow doesn’t exist. It only becomes worse as a result.
How to Start with Shadow Work
Let’s face it, it’s far simpler to point out someone else’s faults than your own. Right?
Ironically, noticing the traits that you dislike in other people is the quickest and simplest approach to see your shadow.
What are some of the things that other people do that annoy or aggravate you? Where do you criticize others without thinking first?
Unfortunately, if some characteristics or features irritate you, they probably come from your shadow. According to Jung, “Everything that bothers us about others might bring us to a knowledge of ourselves.
Journaling, tarot, and meditation are effective methods for exposing our shadow selves.
How to Use Tarot for Shadow Work
Here is how I suggest using tarot cards for shadow work. You are welcome to adapt or try out these ideas to see how they work for you.
Set aside some peaceful time where you won’t be interrupted first. Please feel free to use an incense stick or a candle. To purify the aura of your room, you might even wish to burn sage or palo santo. Play some relaxing meditation music in the background if it helps you. Create an environment that will help you feel balanced and at ease. Feel free to apply some essential oils, such as frankincense, lavender, sandalwood, or roman chamomile, on your wrists and/or third eye. Get your crystals or tingsha cymbals out, if you have them.
Why do shadows exist?
How to begin a shadow job
- Choose whether you’ll go to therapy or conduct your own shadow work.
- Learn to recognize your inner shadow.
- Consider your childhood.
- Avoid making your shadow an object of shame.
- Observe your triggers when you meditate.
- Keep a secret diary.
- Use art to creatively express your inner gloom.
- Engage in internal dialogue.
Do I need to tuck my tarot card deck under my covers?
It’s crucial to have a deck you identify with because tarot reading is such a very personal experience for each reader.”
Find the deck that resonates with you. Avoid looking at the most well-liked decks. Even if you’re purchasing online, Katelan advises taking a closer look at each deck to see which one appeals to you.” To discover a deck that speaks to you, consider how they are drawn and how they are arranged. She claims that several times she purchased or was given a deck that was lovely but didn’t exactly fit her needs. If you want accurate tarot readings, according to Katelan, you can’t force it.” Finding the deck that works for you is worthwhile.
Make sure you’re attuned to your new tarot deck when you first obtain it. Tarot cards contain a lot of energy, so while you’re getting used to them, you should be sure to clear them of any outside energy. When you receive a fresh deck, Katelan advises taking some time to browse the cards and take in the imagery. “Make careful to thoroughly mix them up, and you can use some incense to clear any energy. I wrap all of my playing cards in scarves and put them under my pillow for three nights. During that period, you’ll have some incredibly bizarre dreams, but it will also attune your energy to the cards.
Katelan advises choosing a location for your tarot card reading based on where you feel most at ease. Her home arrangement is less formal than when she reads cards professionally. She used to practice at the Bronx Botanica, which had a table set up in an altar room. “I frequently sit on the ground. If I’m performing a three-card spread, I prefer to pull cards on these old trays I have. I will either do a big spread on the couch or the floor.
In order to feel more rooted and engaged to the practice, Katelan also advises reading up on the background of tarot reading. She cites its antecedents in Jewish New York tenements throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as in Romani society. “When wars broke out or other significant events occurred, there were frequently spikes in interest in fortune telling, card reading, tea reading, and other related practices. People are looking for explanations and purpose in their own life now because of the pandemic.
Shadow readings: what are they?
In the shadow-reading method, students are paired up as Readers and Shadowers. Readers read from a text while Shadowers pay attention. The Shadowers then attempt to recreate the material in a variety of ways, including by repeating it entirely or selectively, adding interactive remarks, summarizing it verbally, and recounting it in writing.
How do I begin my career as a shadow?
Here are some easy methods to start your shadowing project.
- Review your early years. Think about it:
- Pay attention to your shadow. Similar to how we cannot see in the dark, we are ignorant of the shadow.
- Never humiliate the shadow. Don’t shame or assign blame to your shadow self once you become aware of it.
- Activate Your Triggers.
- Be objective when observing.
What is astrology for shadow workers?
Shadow work in astrology refers to reaching a condition of awareness of your shadow self through in-depth introspection. It’s about being aware of any judgments or unfavorable characteristics that your zodiac sign may possess, taking responsibility for them, and doing your best to be more aware of and sympathetic toward them.
Astrological shadow work might incorporate tarot cards, meditation, introspection, and birth chart reading when it comes to your shadow self. Your natal chart can be used to determine your zodiac sign, transits, and planetary placements, giving you insight into the positive and negative motivations of your sign. Since you are only human, removing this layer completely is not the aim of shadow work. To coexist peacefully with your shadow self is the goal.
“In order to begin shadow work, Nicole emphasizes that we must first become self-aware in order to distinguish between the aspects of ourselves that are truly who we are and those that are simply ingrained behaviors designed to keep that true selves safe. ” This entails paying attention to our actions, the way we speak to different people in our lives, the way we speak to ourselves internally, and the way our bodies feel in various contexts and among other people.
It can be challenging to accept that we have a shadow side since it lurks in the shadows and our egos need to feel that we are nice people at all times. Making the enormous leap to connect with that hidden half of ourselves can be challenging and even emotional. The lesson, though, is to become more conscious of your shadow self as you go on rather than trying to eliminate or defeat it. Everyone of us has something to improve.
Where can I locate my shadow self?
- Make a list of the five good traits you believe you possess (e.g., compassionate, generous, witty, etc.)
- Examine each attribute you listed as a positive and describe its opponent (e.g., unfeeling, stingy, dull, etc.)
- Think clearly of a person who exemplifies these unfavorable traits.
- This roughly represents your shadow.
How are tarot cards shuffled?
This shuffling method, which is frequently used before regular card games, is merely holding the full deck in one hand and releasing a section of cards into the other hand at a time until the entire deck has been spread and mixed.
What does the deck’s bottom mean?
In my tarot practice, I recently changed what I was doing. Since recently, I’ve been drawing two cards per day in addition to the daily cards I’ve been drawing (mostly but not always in the morning). I turned my deck over to look at the card at the bottom of the pile rather than just drawing the next card from the pile or even shuffle-draw-shuffle.
Tarot readers have a long-standing custom of inspecting the card at the rear or bottom of their deck for a variety of reasons. It goes by many names, including “shadow card,” “base,” and “foundation card.” Some people use it as a technique to start a tarot reading in order to establish the mood or the reading’s main topic. Others find that the card at the bottom of the deck offers a “secret message,” an additional and essential tip that is frequently concealed. According to Bridget @ Biddy Tarot, “the bottom card gives great insight into the client’s subconscious mind and alludes to the underlying components that are impacting the current issue. Another option is to conclude the reading by using the bottom card.