I have a very positive view of the thing that is "shadow" - it protects me from being burned by the sun, protects my very light sensitive eyes from being blinded, it is necessary for many plants I like to grow, it can give me some privacy, keeps me cooler in the summer and makes it easier to see what's on my phone's screen... so I never liked the term shadow-work. Also, I never do it on purpose, because the "avoidance etc. (shadow work )" things come up regularly in my readings anyway, when the time is right for me to deal with it, so I don't have specific shadow work decks either, as if it comes up, I just go on with the deck I'm already using.
I enjoyed this chat, it's been really useful. I don't do much shadow work with tarot because I've had a lot of therapy and manage my mental health daily, so tarot has other supportive functions for me. Tarot has been useful for the more light side of things, forming new core beliefs, building better relational habits etc.
I'm brand spanking new to tarot. This series is super helpful & I love the chemistry/friendship between you both. You complement each other. Anyway, I hope this series continues. Xo ~ Patricia
Great discussion. I am realising that I’ve never attempted tarot shadow work, and I’m thinking about why. I guess from my personal work with journaling/dreams/authentic movement, and also just noticing my life, I know there is unconscious material - that’s a given - and it comes out to be met when it’s safe to do so. So the most important thing is more safety, to be able to meet the parts and go to those places. And it can be met in the world of symbol and feeling and creativity - but like any symbology there’s this duality of being both very mysterious and very obvious. I really do think that the shadow parts are hiding in plain sight and can be seen as plain as day. The only difference is that we become internally safe enough to see it. And then perhaps that part does not need to be in shadow anymore. Perhaps it means we’re now standing in a different place in relation to the sun. (And in astrology the sun can be a sense of self sooo…. Yeah!)
I am finishing up a Shadow work challenge in a fb group I'm in. That is, I'm at the last of the daily prompts. I have essentially recorded the readings and taken some notes with the intention to work through things at the right time. Allowing myself to pause and do the deeper work when I am more ready/have time has helped me to actually stock with the challenge. I have 3 decks that I specifically got for Shadow work: the Thoth Tarot (partly because I want to incorporate it into my understanding of tarot) for dealing with xtian based trauma. Sacred Rebels for the same kind of work. I got Tarot of Vampyres for general Shadow work. Interestingly (to me) the Unfolding Path Tarot has brought up some shadowy things for me regarding inclusiveness. I want more inclusiveness in decks and media in general, but I find myself struggling with it when it is there. It's been good to take a look at that part of my inner self that both wants and resists including people whose experiences I DON'T identify with.
Okay I finished the whole video and rewound multiple times to listen properly. It’s bringing home to me that I am still slowly and fundamentally getting to know what kind of decks feel alive and resonant for me full stop, before dealing with whether they are shadow decks. Allowing myself time to develop relationships with the decks I do have rather than diluting the connections by bringing in more decks feels quite critical for me. I think of my readings as conversations and so it’s natural that a deep conversation helps me see some of what I’m not seeing. Reading supports me in other activities that do fit into shadow work - such as my anger practice (I used to think i was never angry. A teacher taught me to begin exploring the possibility by playing with a growl). Or like working with triggers in real life (noticing myself acting calm and diplomatic when the truth, clued in by my rising stress, was that I was afraid and so did not give anyone the chance to know my needs and help). The cards can help me draw the picture together and get clearer about what I am trying to bring to light. I have been pulling cards for my dog and they tell me what I could be doing better for him that is hard for me to picture on my own! I think that might be a type of shadow work! One deck people don’t talk about is Mythologia Fennica Tarot. I am so in love with the rich and dynamic artwork, and the Finnish Kalevala stories and folklore take me to a deep inner excavation. I can feel profound compassion for the deities and heroes and it strengthens my resolve as I go deep too.
I think this is amazing. It’s why I subscribe to both of you. You’re both genuine and sincere. I think a lot of ppl are confused because shadow work has become kind of a buzz word and is quite superficial. Lots of ppl say it, but use it as I do shadow work so I’m exalted above you. No. It’s so personal and can be quite difficult to navigate. It’s an extension of therapy- I mean that in the way that’s you approaching something that could be detrimental to you or something you don’t want to integrate that’s positive. I love everything you both said about this. It’s hard to deal with and sometimes you’re not in the right space to do that. It’s internal, not something that’s for clicks. I mean that the reason for it is you, not what you share- not that you can’t share it on sm. It’s totally fine to share your journey and that’s quite beautiful. Just that’s not the draw of it. If you’re doing it and sharing it can be quite healing for the collective when you see someone’s authentic experience and then you say this is my experience and we realize we’re all ppl and all struggling with diff things. There’s other ppl struggling with similar things. It’s quite lovely. I love that you are doing this series. This was beautiful. Thank you both ❤
This topic came at the most perfect time! Thank you both so much.... really enjoyed this. I think Dawn is referring to double exposure on the death doula. It's where two pictures are taken before advancing to the next frame. We've all probably done it back in the day if your old enough to remember film photography a😂
I apologize if I misspoke,. What I was trying to say wass that it seems common that people in general assume the shadow is negative qualities/traits rather than neutral or positive ones. :)
@@januspatermagnus Well, to be fair... I studied Jung last in college.. and that was twenty years ago. But, I think I misspoke as I was trying to convey the common assumption that the shadow is negative and the way the wiki was worded seemed to lean that way as well.
I'm late to the show but I found the discussion of transition readings and affirmation decks as a way to dull the sting incredibly interesting. Im a big shadow work tarot reader and I never once thought of transition readings as a way to still carry what you need to work on but be there for your family, friends, and community. I would love to hear more about this topic!
Hi Lisa and Dawn, I totally Love, Love , Love these you-tubes you are putting together. As soon as I see they are up. Its like a light goes on in my JOY factory within my body and I start planning when I can sit down on MY OWN without interruption. I take notes and enjoy the conversations that you share. This was all so every useful as I have requested for you to share the shadow work side of your practice. Ohhhhh.... now I get how to do it....Thank you as I have always wanted to do shadow work but just didn't know where to start and how to go about it. But I have a clear understanding now. I have the Reclaim Oracle, the Lantern Oracle, the Inna Segal Decks you spoke of, the Nicolette Ceccoli Tarot, both The Wisdom of the Shadow and The Wisdom of the Feminine, The Heart Align Affirmations oracle also. Now I can re-write my notes and start playing. Thank you for sharing your decks with us and also sharing the questions you may ask when using that deck. So helpful. I have been doing shadow work with out the cards all my life. Like when I get Triggered or feel Poked I always address it with reflection and try to unpack it the best I can. But this is going to help make it so much easier and deeper I believe. Journalling about it for me always works. Looking for repeating pattern also is a highlight to me. I had a very difficult childhood and so much comes up so often. This is going to help me start using my decks more fully. I already feel bonded with most of these decks and its going to be great to go deeper with them. Take Care Ladies. Terri from Australia. 🦘🇦🇺 💜
“Troubleshooting myself” YES!! The way I already feel that becoming part of my every day language 😆 this whole video was fantastic! So glad you all approached this topic, this series is awesome! 😁
I listened to you two birds as I packed up and stored Halloween, so thank you for the company! 😄 I really appreciate this discussion, as sometimes I question whether I’m interpreting and working with shadow “right,” so this is validating and encouraging of other ways to expand into it as well. The way you synced with the Reclaim and Iris…😮 I just may have to pull the former from purgatory (and buy the Iatter 😆). Thanks for going deep, you two! Love this series. 🩷
Such a wonderful discussion on the topic- thanks so much to both of you! Thank you for mentioning it’s important to go at one’s own pace - sometimes it’s important to look at the message but come back to it when in a better headspace in order to be able to process/address it when in a healthy -more balanced / state/mindset. Reclaim Oracle is one of my favs to add to tarot to help clarify and also can hit deep.
Hi Lisa and Dawn. POESES created by Andrea Wan and Poetry by Megan King. I love this deck and have been working with it this morning with the information you both shared. It has really hit the spot. So thought I would share it with you, as you did say give any feedback. Terri from Australia 🦘🇦🇺💜
I like to think of it as "eclipse" work - things we are repressing or over-expressing that are intrinsic to our unique selves or hindering our authentic selves. For a long time, I stopped singing ABBA into my hairbrush. I needed the shadow of judgement to move out of my way. I'm happy to announce I dance and sing all the time now. But, sometimes I can be a grumpy bossy cow and that harsh sun could use a little shade. Yin. Yang. I love Carl Jung, he's my dead guy crush. Shadowwork should be approached with caution and only on a good day IMO. Some people believe themselves able to help other people with their shadow and all that is happening is a reactivation of trauma. Yes, trigger. But also potentially re-traumatisation. It is important work that needs to be approached maturely and from a balanced, curious, non-judgemental head, heart and soul space.
This was interesting because I've always wondered what shadow work is and how and why one can direct special focus on doing it. But as I think I'm understanding it, I already do some aspect of it in every open reading I do. And while listening I thought if there is a card in the tarot that represents shadow work, for me, it would be the 4 of cups. If I intentionally acknowledge a 4 of cups moment in every reading I do, then I discover, or pay more attention to what I haven't previously paid attention to or been aware of. And I think you revealed for me what it is that I don't like about oracle decks, is that the ones I've been exposed to only give me positive affirmations and don't point me in the direction of needed shadow work.
Interesting discussion. I’m not really interested in Jungian psychology specifically so I don’t say I do shadow work but I do explore different aspects of myself, my mind, my emotions, etc. It’s been particularly useful to ask things like “do I really think that?” to dig into some of the things I absorbed from society or my fundamentalist upbringing that don’t actually align for me.
Hey! Loved this video! Shadow work is such an interesting and relevant topic in my spiritual practice! Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I guess I was the one who commented on Dawn's video about the Death Doula Oracle. It's one of my favorite decks of all times! The images are all made with analogue film camera and the artist does what we call in photography "double exposure" which is basically 2 or more images overlaid in one single photograph. There's no digital process on this, which for me makes even more amazing! Love it so much!
I opened up youtube at the perfect time! I love you both and i have a deep interest in this topic. Great way to start my Saturday ❤ Some of my fav shadow/shadow leaning oracles are Magick of You by Fiona Horn, W.I.T.C.H (woman in total control of herself), Reclaim Yourself, Shadow and Bone, the archetype deck by Kim Krans, The Archeo -an archetype deck, and Dark Mirror (may not be for everyone). I dont feel like these two are super shadow decks but they are deep together and I have gotten SO much out of The Maey Magdalene oracle by Meggan Watterson and Oracle of the Roses by Cheralyn Darcey (even though its a rose oracle its not all fluffy) I really want The Lantern Oracle.
Hello beautiful ladies thanks for the video 🩵🩵 Lisa I have a request, you asked in another video if we wanted a deep dive on Northern Animal Tarot. I want one please 😅🙏🏻 It's my soul deck and it would be a precious treat to have your deep dive on it. I know many ppl love that deck I'm sure a deep dive on it would be very highly appreciated by many ppl 🙏🏻
I leaned about the positive side of shadow work called the golden shadow when I was working on myself through attachment theory. It’s the hidden potential you have. For example, when you put someone on a pedestal bc you think they are confident, capable or smart, you would look at where you are those things and why suppress them.
Such a great conversation! I like how you defined things and talked about acceptance and integration. So good. It’s a lifelong practice for seekers and intuitives. Thank you so much! Xoxo
Dear Lisa, how is the deck called you showed with the black and white figures. The bag said emotional baggage but the deck? I could not find it online.
A tool I found helpful for shadow work was the enneagram, it sorts you into a personality type but each type has a subtype and then healthy and unhealthy levels that the personality can operate on. Bring able to admit what I am like on an unhealthy level and show myself compassion helps me use tarot to assist me to move toward the healthier natural kind of self expression I aspire to be.
Thank you for this! I’m a beginner and trying to learn, absorb and experience as I go and shadow work is something I feel my soul needs to do for my own personal overall health & wellbeing. I don’t want to rush into it though, that’s why I’m trying to understand & get a little bit of a grasp on what it actually is, how to do it, when, why and where. I don’t want to start it premature as I do want to actually be affective and of substance. Thank you again for your tips!
