Mental Wellbeing – Why is your Shadow self or Dark side important
Shadow integration is important for self acceptance
I am writing this in recognition of my shadow side, a part of me that I’ve done my level best to ignore and reject, up until now that is. However, my forties are about self-protection and self-acceptance, not self-destruction. Accepting our shadow selves is important for mental wellbeing.
My wellbeing aspirations for you
My wish for you dear reader, is that if you haven’t already arrived at this epicentre, you learn your lesson early and avoid the discomforts involved in trying to rid yourself of this essential part of who you are.
For, to be whole, you have to be the sum of all your parts!
What is your shadow side
When I refer to the shadow side, I mean all the very human petty jealousies, unpleasant cruel thoughts, externally directed anger, all the thoughts emanating from your internal well of pain.
Uncomfortable feelings
You know them, because they make you feel uncomfortable, unworthy, less than zen, human, earthbound, ugly inside. In our culture, just having them is considered dirty and sinful, and bringing them into the open and owning them is an absolute moral violation! Can you imagine the conversations if people were that honest in a constructive way? Maybe one day…
Shadow power
And, this darkness is very powerful and seductive, which is why I caution to not let it loose onto others, it really has nothing to do with them.
If you summon all your shadow thoughts right now, can you feel their energetic resonance? Can you see the fires of your rage in your mind? If, you acknowledge the truth that thoughts have frequency, imagine how much earth you would scorch if you channelled this wrath outwards.
Facing your shadow
A friend told me to give myself permission to let all this darkness fly in my soul. To feel it without restrictions or ends, because eventually it would speak its truth and its power to hurt me would dissipate, leaving me totally free and unbound to the individual that caused it. After all, nothing happens for no reason. Own your own truth people.
The dangers of rejecting your shadow
Some of us choose to spend our lives trying to meditate that bitch out of ourselves. This continual rejection not only prevents the Holy Grail of “wholeness”, it reaps a lifetime of repairing all the self-destructive fury she creates from being outcast.
*I am just referring to her in feminine because I am female, the same applies if you are male.
Your inner warrior
Your shadow deserves its place at your table, its role is often largely self-protective, it’s your inner warrior fighting to protect you. So, do not deny it, you don’t need to flaunt your shadow either, it is for you alone and will only cause harm if unleashed on anyone else. All it needs is to be owned, listened too and accepted. It is the poster campaign for personal growth.
Get to know your shadow
I tell my children to get to know, accept and own their shadow selves, so that they may know themselves completely. It’s helpful to know your hidden corners, it’s stops things lurking there unchallenged and not dealt with.
Pay attention to your shadow messages
Your shadow side is also your internal signal that something isn’t right but out of kilter inside you, triggered by someone else, but related to you.
So, pay attention to the message you’re trying to give yourself, the truth in those thoughts.
Complete integration
Since Dad’s untimely demise, I’ve travelled so far and literally through the valley of darkness. I’ve spent a lot of this lifetime trying to rise above my dark emotions, rationalising what has been done unto me with my natural compassion and emotional intelligence.
Besides, it’s hardly befitting for this spiritual witch to be scrabbling around in the human cesspool of jagged hurts. Or is it? The Greek Gods didn’t undermine their own ambitions with consideration of others. I need to be as human as everyone I am helping, complete integration is key to holistic wellbeing.
Appreciating my shadow
I know my shadow side, but I’ve never until very, very recently acknowledged its importance or place in my life.
It’s like everything in life, the balance between light and dark, yin and yang. It’s all a journey, things make themselves clear in the correct order, trust in that.
Final word
You now know what your shadow side is and why it is important to your mental wellbeing. It is also important to your physical and spiritual wellbeing too, you can create disease by letting your shadow get out of control. And, you can’t achieve true spiritual wellbeing without this complete integration.
Shadow work support
If you would like some support to make your shadow work easier, I can offer a range of support, which at the most basic are my natural lotions and potions, which I create using essential oils, herbs and vitamins. Or, I can provide tailored support, with a deep dive into who you are, what your life purpose is, lifetime wound etc with a bespoke wellness service of your choice or help you to develop your inherent soul connection through my Introduction to Witchcraft Course.
