Book Review-In Focus: Shadow Work: Your Personal Guide by Stephanie Kirby

Book Review

In Focus: Shadow Work: Your Personal Guide

By Stephanie Kirby

Publisher: Wellfleet Press

127 Page Hardcover + Foldout Wall Poster

Release Date: July 2nd, 2024

In Focus: Shadow Work is the book I wish I had when I began my deep shadow work during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Alas, I have it now, and plan to utilize many of the new techniques and perspectives I found within the book. When people hear the term “Shadow Work” many of us tend to cringe, as it’s known to bring up many hurts and traumas we’d rather forget. There is, however, a silver lining if we do the work. The author refers to this silver lining and the “Golden Shadow”, which is the gem to be plucked from the darkness, the treasure from your own personal underworld.

Combining spiritual practices, psychology and Jungian archetypes, as well as modern Neuro-Science, the reader is given a psychologically and scientifically sound method of working through their own shadows. I appreciate the non-dogmatic approach that Kirby chose, not writing from any one spiritual perspective, but rather from a more mundane perspective, even adding in that therapy is a necessity for many, especially those of us (such as myself) who have had a lot of shadows accumulate throughout our lives.

Kirby mentioned something in this book that really caught my attention, and has since re-shaped the way I see my own personal family dynamics: the idea of the family scapegoat, or black sheep. I personally embody this energy, as I have been working on not only healing my own personal shadows, but also those of my ancestry and bloodlines. This is a huge weight to carry, and Kirby suggests many useful journal prompts, exercises and even Yoga poses to utilize in your shadow work, recovery and integration. These prompts, tips and exercises are given in each of the book’s 9 chapters. This edition also features a foldout wall poster with pertinent information to refer to during your shadow work practices.

I chose this book for a multitude of reasons; first and foremost, I am a Scorpio Stellium native, and as such am no stranger to shadow work. I have also found myself grasping for more information on the subject; many write about it, post about it, etc., but there are few books that I’ve seen that fit this bill. Of course, there are books in the pagan and witchcraft niche that deal with this subject, but this is an excellent source for anyone looking to heal themselves and become whole once more, embodying our truest selves. I have no complaints or critiques, and wish I could give it more than a 5 Pentagram rating; I will recommend this book to anyone asking about or looking to practice shadow work.

Stephanie Kirby is a student of energy medicine. She is a certified kundalini yoga instructor, herbalist and occultist. She has studied Buddhism from the wise sages in Dharamsala, India. She has developed this unique approach to shadow work through these experiences in their respective fields.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Poison Witch, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including those from Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Slavic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism and Ceremonial Magick, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns, including The Modern Merlin’s Corner, Entheogens for the New Gen, Stellium, and Scary, Strange and Mythical Encounters. He also has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!