Beginner Shadow Work for the Modern Witch

If you've been on the internet the past few years, chances are you've heard of shadow work. But what is it, exactly? And how can it help in your witchcraft practice?

Shadow work is the process of uncovering the parts of yourself that you’ve been hiding away. This is called your inner shadow or shadows and it isn’t inherently a part of witchcraft. It is a journey of self-discovery that leads us to our authentic selves. The shadow is the part of ourselves that we have:

disowned
are ashamed of
or are not aware of

It is usually hidden in our unconscious, and can be made up of both positive and negative aspects. For example, our shadow may contain qualities that we are ashamed of, such as anger or greed. Alternatively, it may contain positive qualities that we have not developed because we feel shame, fear, or embarrassment around them such as creativity or compassion. By doing shadow work, we can bring these disowned parts of ourselves into the light and integrate them into our lives. This process can be challenging, but it ultimately leads to a greater sense of self-acceptance and wholeness.

Why is shadow work important to witchcraft practice?

Shadow work is important to your witchcraft practice because it helps you align with your true self and personal code of ethics. In other words, a witch who has done shadow work is less likely to go flying off at the handle. It can help you to understands the difference between due and undue justice.

That’s not to say that we can eliminate all our faults, or that all of our shadows are in fact negative. It’s about facing your fears, exploring your desires, and coming to terms with all aspects of yourself. It’s often uncomfortable and challenging, but it’s also incredibly rewarding. Done correctly, shadow work can help you become a more well-rounded, holistic person and witch.

What is your inner shadow?

Your inner shadow is composed of parts of you that you subconsciously reject.

The psychologist Carl Jung popularized the idea of the shadow self, or inner shadow. He defined the collective unconscious with eight different Jungian archetypes:

Self: The center of the personality or psyche — your conscious awareness
Shadow: The dark and emotional aspect of your psyche
Anima: An image of an idealized woman that draws people into their feminine side
Animus: A part of you that has the capacity for reflection and self-knowledge
Persona: The mask you wear to show the world while you protect your inner self
Hero: A part of your psyche that can overcome evil and destruction
Wise old man: A personification of the self that contains your wisdom
Trickster: A childish part of your psyche that needs gratification

Do any of these sound familiar? Its is the same reoccurring pattern found in the book, The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell. Jung defined the shadow archetype as the dark and emotional side of your personality or psyche. He also defined it as inferior or immoral, but this isn’t necessarily the case.

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There are many different ways to approach shadow work. Some people prefer to journal or meditate on their shadows, while others prefer to do active exercises or visualization exercises. Depending on the type and depth of trauma, you may need to seek professional advice.

Here are a few exercises that may help:

1. Make a list of things that scare you. This could be anything from public speaking to spiders to being alone in the dark. Once you have your list, pick one fear and visualization facing it. For example, if you’re afraid of public speaking, visualize yourself giving a speech in front of a large audience. Tip: try incorporating a magical working to banish or repel the thing that scares you. This can be completely visual.

2. Spend some time exploring your desires. What are the things that you want but would never admit out loud? What doesn’t hurt anyone but makes you feel guilty or ashamed? Write them down or draw them out; spending time with your desires can help you accept them and integrate them into your life in a healthy way. Tip: try a gratitude ritual afterward to thank the fear for keeping you safe, but ask it to leave because you no longer need it.

3. Identify an issue that you’ve been avoiding. What are you procrastinating on? What do you keep putting off because it’s too difficult or too painful? Shadow work is about facing your fears head-on, so make a plan to tackle that issue and take action. Tip: Make task planning into a ritual by setting aside a few minutes, light a candle, incense, or whatever lifts your mood. Then brain dump it all.

4. Write down any beliefs or patterns that are holding you back. For example, do you believe that you don’t know enough or that you don’t deserve knowledge? Once you identify your negative beliefs, spend time working on counteracting them with positive affirmations or mantras. Tip: Take your fear and turn it around to make a mantra. Go from “I’m afraid I’ll never make enough money” to “I know I can financially support myself”.

Just as the alchemist mixes their ingredients to suit the desired results, the goal of shadow work is not to eliminate all shadows from your life; rather, it’s about finding a balance between light and darkness. As you become more comfortable with your shadows, they will hold less power over you and you will be able to move through the world and your witchcraft practice with greater ease and grace.

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6 thoughts on “Beginner Shadow Work for the Modern Witch”

Phyllis

February 26, 2023 at 2:32 am

Would shadow work come through in vivid dreams about an ex husband?
Lacey Burbage

March 2, 2023 at 6:05 am

It could. I usually interpret signs by first asking: Did I ask for a sign or confirmation? In this case, a dream could be a sign or communication. Other times dreams are seen as the spirit traveling through the spirit world. It can also be a release if you have been working through shadows.
Witchcraft

April 17, 2023 at 5:21 am

Keeping a grimoire is an important part of the practice for many witches, as it allows them to track their progress and growth, and to have a record of their spells, rituals, and other practices. It sounds like you are on a true journey of discovery and learning, and I wish you all the best on your path.
Di Villwock

September 6, 2023 at 7:01 am

I’m literally just learning about shadow work. I was told I’m a shadow witch? Every now and then I have what was called sleep paralysis. I’ll be awake but absolutely paralyzed. I can see everything around me. Then the dark figure appears, and it gets closer and closer until it’s on top of me. Then I start to feel like it’s possessing me. I try very hard to scream and move but I can’t. I fight as hard as possible until I snap out of it usually bawling. Does this have anything to do with this?
don rorick

September 21, 2023 at 9:34 pm

i have question about beginner part what happen if you deiced to change your self an what is the effects for beginner types of turning into shadow witch?
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