A little bit about Shadow Work
What is the Shadow?
You’ve probably heard phrases like “heal your shadow” or “shadow self”, but what does that truly mean?
The concept of the shadow comes from psychologist Carl Jung, who described it as the hidden parts of ourselves that we reject—our fears, attachments, and restrictions. These are the aspects of us that we may not consciously acknowledge but still influence our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors.
How is the Shadow Formed?
Our shadow can form in many ways. Some examples include:
Social conditioning: Growing up with certain beliefs and expectations imposed by family, culture, or society.
Defense mechanisms: Suppressing emotions or parts of ourselves to avoid pain, rejection, or conflict.
Over time, these suppressed aspects remain in our subconscious, shaping how we navigate life whether we realize it or not. Not everyone is aware of their shadow. Sometimes, it stays hidden until something triggers it, forcing it to the surface.
When I first began my spiritual awakening, I often heard terms like shadow and shadow work but didn’t fully understand them. My initial understanding was surface-level, like when I made a conscious effort to stop being mean to other girls who were friends with my guy friends. I assumed that fixing my attitude meant I had "healed" that part of me. But I never asked myself the deeper questions: Where is this jealousy coming from? What do I fear would happen if they join my group? At the time, I dismissed it as just a trait of my Leo rising being territorial. In reality, there was more beneath the surface.
How to Get Started with Shadow Work
You’ve probably seen shadow workbooks on social media or heard about people journaling their way through it. But how do you start?
If you’re new to shadow work and prefer structured guidance, a workbook might be a great first step. These typically include prompts focused on childhood, parental dynamics, and past experiences. However, if structured journaling isn’t your thing, there are many other ways to explore your shadow.
Exploring the Shadow Beyond Journaling
What if you don’t know where to start? Or what if answering prompts feels overwhelming? Sometimes, our conscious mind isn’t ready to acknowledge certain fears or wounds, making it hard to journal about them.
From my personal experience, my favorite powerful tools for shadow work are tarot and ChatGPT (yes, really!).
Tarot is an incredible tool for uncovering what lies in our subconscious. During my grief healing journey, it revealed fears, attachments, and illusions that needed acknowledgment. While my conscious mind recognized the attachments, it didn’t fully understand why I was still holding on. The tarot brought clarity, even when the answers were difficult to face. Shadow work isn’t always pretty, it often brings up hard truths. But whether it’s a wake-up call or confirmation of what you already sensed, tarot has a way of reflecting what’s hidden.
ChatGPT has also been an unexpected but valuable ally. If you’re unsure where to begin, try this:
Type into ChatGPT what you’re feeling—anger, frustration, sadness, grief, etc.
Ask it for tarot shadow work prompts related to that emotion.
You’ll receive a list of insightful questions—pick one or a few that resonate and dive in.
If you work with deities, guides, or your higher self, you can also call upon them for support during your shadow work practice.
Final Thoughts
Shadow work is deeply transformative, but it’s not a one-time thing—it’s a continuous journey of self-awareness and healing. Be patient with yourself, stay open to the process, and remember: the more you embrace your shadow, the more you integrate your wholeness.
