What is Shadow Work?

Simply put, Shadow Work is a term that refers to any development or exploration of any and all aspects of ourselves that we reject or repress. The “shadow self” is a term coined by psychoanalyst and occultist Carl Jung to refer to the parts of our psyche that we cannot or will not see. Shadow work focuses on the facets of our personality that are cloaked in shadow. This practice of avoidance is not always something we do consciously, and it can be incredibly hard to even identify what it is we refuse to see. Often, engaging with our shadow selves means looking at our deepest shames, fears, and traumas with loving and kind eyes. Shadow work is a practice of self-love and self acceptance, and often— re-parenting. Committing to working on your shadow is profoundly painful, scary, and above all, rewarding.

Talking about shadow work has become increasingly popular in the metaphysical community, although many people don’t ever actually discuss what it means. It means a lot of vulnerability and tears. I strongly recommend that if you are interested in exploring shadow work, you do so with access to a mental health professional. Spirituality can be a powerful tool for healing, but this practice was born out of a marriage between spirituality and psychology and to remove it from that context can be risky.