In this shadow work challenge, we will be exploring our past and delving into some of the core experiences that have helped create and reinforce our shadows. Please keep in mind that shadow work is a highly individual process and there is simply no way I could ever devise any sort of curriculum that yields impeccable results for everyone. It is up to you to give this challenge true substance. This is not a set of step-by-step instructions or specified exercises, but a collection of interrelated subjects that form a generic basis for shadow work that you will [hopefully] be able to build off of.
The prompts included were designed to be responded to in one (or all) of the following ways: journaling, creative expression, or tarot reading. I recommend journaling and/or creative expression as the basis with tarot as a supplement, but it can serve as a stand alone tarot evaluation as well (which is why I created this Tree of Life Spread). Whatever works for you, go for it! This challenge is only meant to get your mind reeling, and as you will see it’s pretty cut and dry, so I encourage you to use it as you please– get creative and allow it to evolve as you go.
If you feel comfortable doing so, please share your work and tag “january shadow work challenge”. I for one would love to see it, and I’m sure those who are trying to get their foot in the door with shadow work would appreciate some reference material. In any case, I thank all for participating and as always I welcome public or private feedback!
(P.S. I did not get to work on/edit this as thoroughly as I would have liked, so please forgive me for any errors or sloppy writing in general! Also, feel free to shoot me an ask if you have any questions. Best Wishes and Happy New Year!)
When it comes to shadow work, I think a lot of people miss a really big aspect of it by only seeing it as “your dark side, the stuff you don’t like.”
It’s really the stuff you don’t look at, the stuff that’s repressed – including good things! If you’ve ever said “oh, I used to draw a lot… I don’t know why I don’t anymore…” that’s a GREAT opportunity for shadow work, even if it’s not an “ugly side of yourself” thing. That inner artist, it’s a part of yourself that’s screaming out to be acknowledged, accepted and expressed! That’s such an important aspect of shadow work!
Dig into why you don’t let yourself shine. It might amaze you what comes up, and how intense it is.
teakepp 