Buddhist Catholic Contemplative Evangelical General Christian Hindu Jewish Latter-day Saint Muslim New Visions Progressive Christian

Beliefs

Topics

Columnists

Resource Library

Research Tools

Video

Podcasts

Thought Readers

Faith In Media Tracker

Newsletters

Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In Subscription Support

Follow Patheos

Home
Pagan
Witch This, Not That: Shadow Work

Witch This, Not That: Shadow Work

Last updated on: February 11, 2025 at 5:23 am by Thumper Forge

Witch This, Not That: Shadow Work 2025-02-11T05:23:13+06:00 Thumper Forge

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

As hard as I try, I can’t get away from shadow work. And by that, I mean no matter where I look, people will not stop talking about it.

A couple of days ago, I saw someone ask about rituals to help let go of past traumas, and several people confidently responded, “Shadow work.” However, I also saw someone post in multiple online groups, asking for help getting started with shadow work, and the response was absolute crickets.

Actually, I take that back. One person replied, “Work with Saturn,” which, I mean, is not the worst suggestion, but it also wasn’t particularly helpful without any context or instruction.

Saturn’s over here like, “Oh. Um, hi. This is awkward.” (Image via Pixabay.)

Whenever I see someone recommending shadow work, I have to stop myself from responding, “Good answer! What is it?” Because that’s what bugs me about the whole thing: As popular a term as it’s become to bandy about, it doesn’t really mean anything — or at least, it’s being tossed into conversations without anyone really knowing what they mean when they say it.

Are we talking about initiatory ordeals? Shamanic crises? Psychoanalysis? Cognitive-behavioral therapy? The Hero’s Journey? All of these include concepts that could be described as shadow work, but there’s not an overarching Shadow Work pennant that we can cram them all under.

The Jung and the Restless

The Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung defined the Shadow as the unconscious part of the human psyche, similar to Sigmund Freud’s concept of the Id. It’s our animal nature, and it gives us the potential for both creation and destruction. As humans, we tend to reject or ignore the parts of ourselves that we don’t like, and those parts can become aspects of our shadows. Or, if we’re wrestling with, say, low self-esteem, our shadows could be comprised of really positive things that don’t gel with our negative self-image.

The “goal” of Jungian psychology, then, is to learn to acknowledge and accept the Shadow, thus integrating the unconscious and the conscious selves into a Whole Person™. Which is nowhere near as easy as it sounds (and it honestly doesn’t even sound that easy).

When we stare into the Shadow, the Shadow stares back. (Image via Pixabay.)

I am not quite sure how shadow work made the jump into modern Witchcraft, but it’s currently as prevalent a topic as moon water and cord-cutting. And while I do think actively working to integrate one’s shadow can make one a healthier person and in turn a more competent and effective Witch, it’s important to realize that a) it’s a long-term process, not a one-time ritual, and b) it can be painful and scary and damaging.

No Tea, No Shadow

If you’re going to throw yourself into shadow work, my one, non-negotiable rule is this: Be kind to yourself. I mean it. Even with outside support, it’s easy to slip into dark places when we’re looking at the ugly parts of ourselves, so it is almost medically necessary that we treat ourselves as gently as possible while we’re in the middle of it.

“Oh, come here, I’m a hugger.” (Image via Pixabay.)

For more information on the subject, I highly recommend Rebel Witch: Carve the Craft that’s Yours Alone by Kelly-Ann Maddox. She covers shadow work in-depth and offers tips, basic techniques, excellent resources, and a lot of encouragement. You really couldn’t ask for a better starting point.

More discord, you say? But of course! Follow Fivefold Law on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and Zazzle.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Kelly-Ann Maddox

Saturn

Shadow Work

About Thumper

Thumper Marjorie Splitfoot Forge is a Gardnerian High Priest, an initiate of the Minoan Brotherhood, an Episkopos of the Dorothy Clutterbuck Memorial Cabal of Laverna Discordia, a recovering alcoholic, and a notary public from Houston, TX. You can read more about the author here.

Previous Post

August 30, 2021

Seeking Witch Life Off the Beaten Wheel (i.e., Podcasts!)

Next Post

September 3, 2021 Gardnerian All Along

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category 12-Step Recovery Chaos Magic Discordianism Divination Gender and Sexual Minorities Greek Mythology Neurodiversity Pagan Saints Uncategorized Wicca Witch This Not That Witchcraft

Select a Month September 2026 May 2026 April 2026 February 2026 January 2026 October 2025 September 2025 August 2025 May 2025 March 2025 February 2025 January 2025 November 2024 October 2024 August 2024 July 2024 June 2024 May 2024 April 2024 March 2024 February 2024 January 2024 December 2023 November 2023 October 2023 September 2023 July 2023 June 2023 May 2023 March 2023 February 2023 January 2023 December 2022 November 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 January 2022 December 2021 November 2021 October 2021 September 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz

What was Ezra's profession?

Select your answer to see how you score.

Scribe Soldier Farmer Priest