What is Shadow Work?

Based on Jungian psychology, Shadow Work® is a method of achieving deep personal transformation by bringing the power of the true self out of shadow. Our shadows are all those parts of ourselves that we have split off, repressed or denied — the parts of ourselves we are afraid to show. In Shadow Work, we believe that the core of every shadow contains a nugget of strength and power. Our shadows are like a gold mine of creative, useful energy. Our shadows contain not only our darker energies — our fear, anger, grief, and shame — but our "golden shadows" as well: our joy, self-esteem, wisdom, and ability to be intimate. Shadow Work can help you release the gold hiding in your shadows, creating a pathway for transforming many core issues. Shadow Work is a way to transform the hurt, the fear, the anger, the shame, and begin to live more fully. Most of all, it is a way to love ourselves for the journeys we have chosen. Shadow Work uses four archetypes to identify energies in shadow and suggest tools for bringing them into conscious awareness, where we can integrate them to support our aspirations:

• The Magician archetype enables us to see options and perspectives.
• The Sovereign archetype has to do with motivation, inspiration, and acceptance of self and others.
• The Lover archetype is about connection, feelings and creativity.
• The Warrior archetype enables us to take action and set boundaries.

On a Shadow Work weekend you will experience a series of group processes carefully designed to help you access the energy of each archetype. In addition, some participants may choose to work a specific issue in the center of the group. This can provide the opportunity to explore and deal with a life issue with the help of skilled facilitators and the support of the group. But you can also gain tremendously from the workshop without doing center work. As you watch and support the work of others, you can share in the transformation of wounds similar to your own.