Introduction to Shadow Work

Shadow Work is perhaps my favorite part of my witchcraft journey. Shadow work is the process in which we unlock, heal, strengthen, and connect to our shadow self. The shadow self is the part of us that is suppressed by our mind either through conscious or subconscious action. The shadow self is often seen as the holder of our trauma and therefore equated to the negative, coldest, parts of who we are. However, as the holder of trauma, it must be strong enough to keep that hold so I would also like to think our shadow self holds a strength unline that of our conscious being. In addition to trauma, our shadow self holds the parts of us that we have purposefully hid away, parts that are often linked to the “dark sides” of our divine feminine and masculine: the warriors, the independents, the seductresses, the intelligent, and the unbending. These are the parts of ourselves that a society built on our ability to conform, we often find hidden away to allow us to fit in more. When we march for social justice, engage in sexual liberation or open our eyes to the lies our society has fed us, we find ourselves tapping into this consciously manifested area of our shadow self.

There are many ways to do shadow work, the one I see most often discussed is through journaling. You engage in the work by answering shadow prompts. Some shadow prompt examples:

• What kind of emotions, conversations, and interactions do you want from your friendships?

• What is your most toxic trait?

• What’s something you really wanted to say recently and didn’t? Why didn’t you?

• Script a conversation between you and the person who hurt you most.

• Try writing about memories you’ve suppressed. Identify patterns.

• What is something you did that you knew was wrong but you enjoyed?

There are many more besides these and I plan to post them here https://www.pinterest.com/WitchyWhims/witch-tips-and-info/shadow-prompts/.

Despite journaling seeming to be the most popular form of shadow work, especially in internet discussions on apps such as Tiktok, there are other ways for a person to dive into shadow work. Shadow work does not have to be done this way. You can answer these prompts simply through a stream of consciousness of thoughts. You can have conversations with your abusers in your head. You can have dreams where you face your demons, quite physically actually. Even therapy can be considered a form of shadow work.

It is by no means mandatory for a practitioner to conquer the trauma this way. Shadow work can be extremely difficult and triggering and for many of us, we are just not in a place where we feel ready to engage with the shadow self and some of us may never end. I would also like to add that shadow work is not reserved for witches. You can engage in shadow work to help yourself grow and heal even if you don’t wish to engage in the craft. Shadow work is accessible to everyone and whether one engages is completely up to them to decide.