Shadow Work Tarot Spread
Shadow work is one of my favorite things to think about, write about, or even bring up in ceremony and spiritual spaces. Our shadows are the parts of ourselves we don’t want to integrate or can’t look at for too long - the pieces of ourselves that we’re afraid or ashamed of. In psychology it can also be called the id, or the shadow archetype.
Why do we hate these parts of ourselves? The parts that are angry, aggressive, needy, withholding, or flaky. We hate these parts of ourselves because we are judging ourselves for them, hoping to hide or exorcise them so we can be perfect. Only perfection doesn’t exist, and in order to be whole we must also wholly accept the parts of ourselves we don’t really like. Healing these wounds is a big part of our journeys here on earth, and consistently being able to confront our shadows with love and compassion is a necessary part of the path for anyone who is hoping to grow spiritually.
Personally, I love my shadow. My shadow is being a judgemental bitch, is being a mean cunt with a pretty vicious tongue. We’ve gotten to know each other a lot throughout the past several years, and I no longer try to hide that this is a part of myself that needs care and healing, and this is the part of myself that comes out when I’m feeling hurt, upset, or judged by others. So much of our shadow is just a defense mechanism, a way to protect ourselves and our wounds from the world. The first step for me in healing this part of myself is the simple, joyous proclamation that I can be a bitch. Once I was able to say that with humor and truth, I was able to move forward into love and compassion for myself.
Because the truth is, I only ever fall back into my bitchiness when I fear that other people will judge me, and so I judge them first. If I push people away with meanness, then I never risk letting anyone getting close enough to hurt me. It’s a way to avoid being vulnerable with others, and avoid opening up to them. It’s pretty effective too. Only the problem is, when I avoid vulnerability I also avoid any chance of having a deep and meaningful connection with someone. More than that, I’m missing out on the opportunity to be vulnerable and imperfect and having someone hold me totally in love in that moment. Being held in love when you’re revealing what you think are the ugliest parts of yourself is one of the most transformative and liberating things I’ve ever experienced. Here’s a tarot spread to help you move deeper into your shadow work, and discover a new level of clarity around what might need healing in this moment. <3
Tarot Spread for Shadow Work
What part of my shadow am I having difficulty integrating right now?
How does my shadow express itself when I feel unsafe?
What past wound is causing my shadow to express itself in this way?
How can I support myself when I feel myself moving into my shadow?
What coping mechanisms or behaviors need to be released?
Who or what is supporting me and this growth right now?
What divine guidance am I receiving around this healing work?
What is the most important lesson I’m being taught with this work?
How can I come back to joy?
Happy reading!
xoxo
Em