MagickalARTS

The Dark Side of the Light

 

“As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being.” (Carl Jung)

 

Jung and The Shadow

 

At some point along a spiritual path we must also encounter what is often called the “shadow self”.  This is an important milestone towards forward movement, and it is at that juncture that we have come upon the divergent path that offers choice of either embrace or retreat. So, what exactly is this shadow self?

 

According to Carl Jung, there are within the human experience and consciousness several archetypes that define the human psychological experience. These archetypes are closely linked to our physical nature and are often brought to the surface through the varied preconditioned responses that we have gathered from our environment of both instinctual and mental learning. These become the patterns that play out in our lives in a continuous thread until some upheaval of either a conscious or unconscious level brings out what has lain hidden within our psyche.

 

” The most basic potential for patterning is the Shadow Archetype. This is the potential of experiencing the unconscious side of our unique personalities. As we move deeper into the dark side of our personality, personal identity begins to dissolve into “latent dispositions” common to all men. We experience the chaos which indicates that we are drawing close to the material structure of psychic life. This “Other Side” may be manifested in a wealth of images. The image of wilderness is fundamental.” (Carl Jung)

 

This “patterning” often plays out in the form of projection; or seeing the negative traits in others we encounter that are actually in resonance to those same qualities within ourselves, albeit latent and for the most part unacknowledged at a conscious level. This can serve as a relevant tool in assessing what may lay hidden within ourselves that needs a closer look.

 

We can think of the shadow self as being that part of our personality or nature that holds the energies that we prefer to keep buried beneath the surface.   Greed, jealousy, revenge are just a few of these types of attributes that we don’t want most people to see.  The truly deep fears and desires that we have are hidden even from ourselves most times and come to the surface occasionally when provoked.  Now, even though most of what I am describing sounds unacceptable there is some component of each of these traits that can proved useful in developing ourselves in a healthy manner. Jealousy can prove to be the catalyst needed to inspire you to return to college, get a better job and have an easier lifestyle.  Revenge can be transformed into creative problem solving strategies that achieve a desired result while doing harm to none.  If we come to identify and embrace some of these “negative” traits we are also embracing and affirming our true nature, which contains both light and dark. How much of each and to what ratio they work in balance is the goal of stepping into this type of exploration.

 

 

Down the Rabbit Hole

 

Beginning shadow work can be a bit like going down the rabbit hole.  It is not the most comfortable process and what may be lurking at the base of that unknown can be daunting.

 

Many times what you thought to be true for yourself will be challenged and tested as you reveal some of the underlying reasons for the way in which you move through life.  We all wish to be seen in a positive light and the work of exploring our shadow self can provide clues and greater understanding of those qualities we wish to enhance and accentuate, those that we hold in reserve for the appropriate times and those that serve no useful purpose in this lifetime other than now we are more aware of those characteristics in a way that is informed. Additionally, this is a journey that only you can make with only your own resources, experiences and inner knowing as guides. It can also be one of the most rewarding types of work.

 

 

 The Mirror of SELF

 

“To confront a person with his own shadow is to show him his own light.” (Carl Jung)

 

As the quote above beautifully states, embracing those parts of yourself that are not usually brought into the light of day can, nonetheless, open the doorway to the greater light that ever burns within our being.  If we think in terms of polarity and synthesis than we must acknowledge that the darkness only appears dark because we know of the polarity of light.  Each gives validation, support and energy to the other in an, albeit transparent, way. Each, relying on the other’s existence to support and enhance the other. This is the point of synthesis and the thought that within that give and take process, each also must, in their dance of cohesion and balance, contain the other within itself.

 

 

The Midnight Sun

  

If we hold these principles as viable occurrences within a natural order of being, then we could also say that in the darkest night the sun is still brilliantly shining whether we can see it from the perspective we are aligned with.  But, with a shift of geographical coordinates, we move into its light and what was night becomes day.

 

This is the understanding that is useful when approaching our darker nature. Despite what we may find lurking in the darkened corners of our personality, there is still shining that inner light that connects us with our higher state of being. When we learn to accept, acknowledge and embrace those parts of ourselves that we consider unlovable or undesirable we open to having conversation with those aspects and the potential to modify, change or completely transform that energy.

 

There are several good resources listed below if you would like to explore this topic in more detail. It is best to do a little research first, rather than diving right into this type of work as it can dredge up past memories, experiences that may cause unproductive discomfort. Be gentle with yourself and approach this work slowly and with reverence, affirming the best results for your highest good.  The greatest journey we take is that which is the path back to ourselves, in dark and in light that brings us home to our Divine nature.

 

 

books to explore:

 

Owning Your Own Shadow: Understanding the Dark Side of the Psyche by Robert A. Johnson

The Dark Night of the Soul. St. John of the Cross

Tarot Shadow Work: Using the Dark Symbols to Heal. Christine Jette

Romancing the Shadow: A Guide to Soul Work for a Vital, Authentic Life. C. Zweig & S. Wolf

Shadow Work: A New Guide to Spiritual and Psychological Growth by Michael Ruth