November Shadows Part 1
Welcome to November Shadows
November
“A time where, in the darkness we find ourselves close to the unknown, the unseen, and the mysterious. An in-between time of liminal, transformational, otherworldly space. And a time when we, too, just might dare to spend a few moments exploring the depths of our own souls, our dark sides…”
Source:
Be Love Live https://belovelive.com/how-i-plan-to-embrace-the-mystical-spirit-of-november/
Defining Shadow
&
Shadow Work
Shadow
The “darker side” of the human psyche.
Source:
American Psychological Association (APA) https://dictionary.apa.org/shadow
*Shadow work in relation the character Darth Vadar:
If Anakin Skywalker had engaged in shadow work, he might have achieved personal integration. This process would have enabled him to transcend simplistic notions of “good” and “bad,” fostering a more sophisticated comprehension of both himself and his environment. Such growth would have required dedication to self-exploration, the cultivation of self-compassion, and a genuine curiosity for personal development. Ultimately, this path could have led to greater insight, authenticity, and fulfillment—often referred to as self-realization. Under these circumstances, the emergence of Darth Vader may have been avoided.
Reference:
“Dark Shadow, Golden Shadow” by Shannon Knight
https://www.google.com/books/edition/Dark_Shadow_Golden_Shadow
What is Included in November Shadows - Part 1?
Shadow work
Shadows
What is a shadow?
How do you define your shadow?
What is shadow work?
Why does shadow work matter?
Wrap up: Tips on preparing for and living your November
When you hear the word ‘shadow’ what first comes to mind?
What are the first thoughts, feelings, images, memories that come to mind when you hear, shadow?
Definition of Shadow
And, just in case you cannot possibly read more without actually reminding yourself of the definition of the word, here are two definitions and the respective links:
The online Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines “shadow” in 25 different ways. The word shadow can be a noun, verb, or adjective. Quite a versatile word. Here is the link to the definition:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/shadow
2. American Psychological Association (APA) Dictionary of Psychology defines shadow as the following:
Shadow:
n. in the analytic psychology of Carl Jung, an archetype that represents the “darker side” of the human psyche, which may comprise anything (e.g. a trait, desire, or emotion, whether positive or negative) that is unacceptable to an individual’s conscious ego and as such remains unexpressed and hidden in the unconscious.
Personal Definition of Shadow
What aspects of you, traits, desires, emotions, thoughts do you consider to be part of your shadow self?
Explore:
Our Wolf Story. The ACCURATE wolf fable from Northern American Indigenous Tribes.
To Read:
Click the Link Below “The Two Wolves Story” to access our webpage devoted to this story.
or
Scroll to the bottom of this page
Example of a Personal Definition of Shadow
Definitions of my shadow
“The image of my body or a part of my body that is created because of light shining from the opposite side of my shadow.”
“The aspect of me that I thought I needed to reject, abhor, and eliminate in order to be a good, kind human.”
“The part of me that was not allowed to exist. The hate I had for my shadow fueled my eating disorder, self-harm, self-sabotage, self-hatred, and belief that I was less and unworthy.”
“The part of me that I now love, accept, and embrace.”
“My shadow self and I are one. Without my shadow, I am not whole.”
Source:
AC Treacy’s Journal Entries
*To the left is a picture of my hand and it’s shadow, connected.
What shadow work has meant to me? Why do I think it is important?
It took ages for me to change, notice the change, and act in self-awareness.
After years of therapy, healing, forgiving, apologizing, changing, accepting, learning, listening, boundary setting, and recovering. I found freedom. Freedom to uncover and fully embrace my authentic self. This allowed me to integrate with my shadow self and bridge the aspects of me that had broken away from my core self.
This process also included radical acceptance which lead me to radical accountability. Accountability to myself and others led to faster and faster authentic apologies. It led to ownership of mistakes, facing my own struggles to create positive goals and objectives, and leading to change on my terms. This helped me create and manifest a life I wanted to live.
Questions to Consider While Reflecting on Your Shadow
What is your motivation to get to know your shadow self?
What is your why in wanting to learn more about your shadow?
Definition of Shadow Work
“Shadow work is the process of exploring the unconscious reasons behind your feelings or behaviors, particularly uncomfortable emotions that seem out of character or beyond your control.
For example, when you snap at a co-worker unexpectedly or keep getting in the same fight with a loved one, shadow work may help you figure out why.”
This quote is from the below WebMD article by Keri Wiginton. It offers an excellent breakdown of shadow work, its benefits, and how to get started.
Source:
What is Shadow Work? How to Start and Benefits by Keri Wiginton, Medically Reviewed by Zilpah Sheikh, MD on July 25, 2024
Why does shadow work matter?
This question is answered beautifully by the holistic wellness practice known as Plus by APN.
Plus by APN is based in Colorado and Texas
To learn more about their services please visit their website, plusapn.com, or call 877.507.7675
P.S. I have no idea who they are and they have no idea who I am, but they sound great and offer some amazing services. Including writing very thorough articles.
The following explanation answering our question:
Why shadow work matters?
Is an excerpt from their article entitled,
“What is Shadow Work & Why Does it Matter?”
https://plusapn.com/resources/what-is-shadow-work-why-does-it-matter/
A Leap of Faith
Growing requires courage, risk, and drive.
Changing means taking a leap of faith—often many—as you learn, understand yourself better, and discover what you truly want in life.
What is Shadow Work & Why Does it Matter? Following Written by Samantha Carter:
Impact on Mental Wellness and Relationships
Engaging in shadow work can have profound effects on mental wellness, relationships, and overall quality of life. By confronting and integrating unconscious aspects of the self, individuals can experience multiple benefits, including those listed below.
Increased Self-Awareness
Shadow work helps to foster a deeper understanding of the self, including hidden motivations, fears, and desires. This can lead to greater self-acceptance, awareness, and authenticity.
Improved Relationships
By acknowledging and integrating their own shadow aspects, individuals become less reactive and more compassionate towards others, fostering healthier and more fulfilling relationships. When people feel more connected and seen by others, their quality of life increases.
Emotional Healing
Shadow work facilitates the healing of past wounds and traumas, allowing individuals to release emotional baggage and cultivate inner peace and resilience. Rather than letting go of the past by ignoring or denying it, shadow work allows us to face the truth of our adversities and move beyond them through a gradual process of acceptance and understanding.
Personal Empowerment
Embracing the shadow can empower individuals to reclaim disowned parts of themselves, leading to greater confidence, creativity, and personal growth. When we accept all parts of ourselves without judgement or shame, it becomes less relevant what others think about us. This, in turn, empowers individuals to live a more authentic, aligned life.
Spiritual Evolution
Shadow work is often regarded as a crucial step on the path to spiritual awakening, as it involves transcending egoic limitations and connecting with the deeper dimensions of the self and the universe.
Written by Samantha Carter - Excerpt from her article on Plus by APN
Journaling in Shadow Work is Essential
Mini slide show of the Journal I Created as Part of Our Founding Membership Impossible Welcome Box - Journaling Version:
1. The Front Cover (with our Siberian Forrest Cat, Terrence, inspecting)
2. Front Cover - Close Up
3. Inside Front Cover
4. Inside Back Cover
Journal Prompts to Help You Continue
Your Shadow Work Journey
Let Your Shadow Shine with Nicolle Spohn
Excellent blog focusing on shadow work and personal growth!!! One of her blog post includes 77 shadow work journal prompts for beginners:
https://letyourshadowshine.com/shadow-work-journal-prompts/
Some Additional Information to Consider
Continuing your journey of self exploration and awareness can be exhausting and can bring up spaces that you might want to consider exploring with a professional.
And, going to therapy is not a sign of weakness. Quite the opposite, therapy is for those brave enough to level up their communication skills, seek to live from their core self, identifying their core self, and integrate the spaces that take over when ever your feel threatened, weak, lonely, scared, lost, sad, disappointed, and angry. When the unclaimed shadow self takes over, it more often then not does not abide by your core values, it is reaction, NOT response. You are no longer in control, steady, solid, aware. Instead, the non-integrated shadow destroys, hurts, ruins, blocks, runs, WITHOUT permission.)
Wrap up: Tips on preparing for and living your November
To prepare for November 2025, focus on setting clear goals, creating a supportive daily routine, and ensuring your finances are in order. During the month, be flexible with your plans, prioritize your physical and mental well-being with breaks and self-care, and build a resilient mindset to handle unexpected challenges.
Wrap up: Tips on preparing for and living your November
To prepare for November 2025, focus on setting clear goals, creating a supportive daily routine, and ensuring your finances are in order. During the month, be flexible with your plans, prioritize your physical and mental well-being with breaks and self-care, and build a resilient mindset to handle unexpected challenges.
Preparation
Define your vision and goals: Write down your main goals for the year and break them into smaller, manageable "micro-goals".
Create a supportive routine: Establish morning and evening routines, incorporate daily physical activity and mindfulness, and limit distractions like social media to help you stay on track.
Organize your space: Declutter your home and digital life to create a more focused and less overwhelming environment.
Financial readiness: Build an emergency fund to cover 3-6 months of expenses, and consider increasing your retirement contributions and paying down high-interest debt.
Living Your November
Prioritize self-care: Schedule regular breaks, ensure you get enough sleep, stay hydrated, and eat well to maintain your physical and mental energy.
Be flexible: Remember that plans can change. Build flexibility into your schedule and be prepared to adjust when necessary.
Cultivate a resilient mindset: Focus on controlling your reactions and attitude, as these can significantly influence how you experience challenges and opportunities.
Stay connected: Spend time with people who "light you up" and be intentional about your social interactions.
Embrace continuous learning: Seek out opportunities to learn and grow, whether it's through a new hobby, a course, or by exploring local opportunities.
*This Wrap Up section was created with the assistance of Gemini - Google Workplaces Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Helpful Online Assistant!
Thank You for Joining Me!!!
I hope you have a most excellent week!!! Love and Light to You and Yours!!!
This concludes Part 1 of the November Shadows Series.
