ione

Astrology ✦ Witchery ✦ Art Libra☀︎ Sagittarius ☾ Aquarius ⇡

[astroione]

My 5 Daily Affirmations:

I am loved, and I am loving.

I am zestful and have a lust for life.

I am curious and love to learn new things.

I am grateful for everything that I have.

I am optimistic for my future.

[astroione]

per aspera ad astra

"to the stars, through hardships"

One of my favorite phrases; it suggests that greatness can be achieved through enduring trials and tribulations. Discomfort is natural a part of life, and I believe that strictly chasing comfort and ease is greatly counterintuitive. Facing hardships head-on is not only the quickest way to get through them, but it allows you to learn the necessary lessons the hardships are trying to teach.

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 14)

66. Who have you most let down in my lifetime, and how/why did it happen?

⟢ Have I made peace with the situation?

67. What does freedom mean to me?

⟢ Do I feel free?

68. What in my life gives me the most purpose?

69. What makes me feel valued?

⟢ Why? ⟢ Do I value myself?

70. What would I most like to be recognized for?

⟢ Why? ⟢ What can I do to obtain the recognition I desire?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 13)

61. What makes me self-conscious around others?

⟢ Why?

62. Who dislikes me or treats me with disrespect?

⟢ How does it make me feel? ⟢ Where does this attitude / behavior come from? ⟢ Be very honest; is it deserved? Do I owe them an apology? ⟢ If I do, write a letter apologizing. ⟢ Write down 10 times: "Other people's opinions of me are none of my business".

63. What makes me feel unsafe?

⟢ Why? ⟢ Is it rational to expose myself to this in a way where I am, physically and emotionally, safe?

64. What would have made my childhood better?

⟢ How do I feel about that?

65. What one thing could somebody say to bring me to my knees?

⟢ Why do those words hold so much power? ⟢ How can I begin to take the power out of those words?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 12)

56. Who do I hold a grudge against?

⟢ What is stopping me from letting it go?

57. Think about a time I felt betrayed.

⟢ Have I made peace with the person involved? ⟢ Write them a letter explaining how it made me feel.

58. Think about the previous exercise. Consider when I have behaved similarly.

⟢ Has the person involved treated me as though I betrayed them? Either way, write them a letter apologizing.

59. Who have I previously made conflict and allegedly resolved it, but I remain wary of since?

⟢ How did they make me feel? ⟢ What worries me about the relationship now?

60. How do I view asking for help?

⟢ Is it a sign of strength or weakness? ⟢ Why is this?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 11)

51. What is the worst emotion someone could provoke in me? (Anger, jealousy, betrayal, etc.)

⟢ Why do I feel so strongly about this? ⟢ Does my answer differ/change according to the person in question?

52. Think about a time where I was manipulative. Explore the feeling behind the behavior- what need made I behave that way.

⟢ Have I overcome those feelings?

53. How do I feel about my childhood?

⟢ Was it generally positive or negative? ⟢ Who made me feel safe? ⟢ How let me down? ⟢ Who was I close to?

54. How does drama make me feel?

⟢ Am I dramatic, myself? ⟢ Do other people call me dramatic? How do I feel about this?

55. Which of my traits do I find it difficult to accept? Explore why this is?

⟢ Do I accept these traits in others? Do others readily accept these traits? ⟢ Think of somebody who shares these characteristics with me. Write down 3 things I admire about them. ⟢ These traits do not define me; write down 3 ways I am more than these characteristic

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 10)

46. What situation in my life do I wish had a different outcome?

⟢ How would it have improved my life? ⟢ In what ways is your life better for it not having worked out?

47. Who do I feel inferior to?

⟢ Objectively explore whether they have intentionally made me feel this way, or if it's my own feeling of inadequacy creating that illusion. ⟢ How do I think they view and feel about me? Why?

48. Who has let me down the most in my life?

⟢ Are they still around? ⟢ How do I feel about that?

49. What's the worst character trait I have as a result of my childhood / past?

⟢ What / who do I think caused that? ⟢ How do I feel about that?

50. What are my parents' best attributes?

⟢ What are my parents' worst attributes? ⟢ How am I alike them? ⟢ How am I unlike them?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 9)

41. What was my last uncharitable (unkind, unfair, overly judgmental) thought? Did I voice it?

⟢ Was it deserved? ⟢ What I being unfairly judgmental?

42. Who do I owe an apology to?

⟢ What did I do that warrants an apology?

43. Who owes me an apology?

⟢ Why? What did they do? Is it possible I misinterpreted the situation? ⟢ Write myself a letter from their perspective, explaining the reasons for their transgression, and apologizing. ⟢ Take a deep breath and, as I exhale, breathe out any resentment or hurt I've been holding onto from this.

44. What is my biggest regret in life?

⟢ How might I be able to make peace with that? Think about my circumstances at the time and give myself permission to be okay with the fact that I did my best at that time.

45. What's my worst childhood memory?

⟢ Who was there? ⟢ How did they comfort me or make it worse? ⟢ What would I like to say to them? Write them a letter if necessary; you don't have to send it.

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 8)

36. What authority figures (individuals) did I respect growing up?

⟢ What qualities did/do they possess? ⟢ Do I share those traits? ⟢ How might I develop / enhance them?

37. Without thinking too deeply, what is my gut reaction to the question: "Do people respect me?"

⟢ Why do I think this is? ⟢ How do I feel about this?

38. How am I letting myself down at this time in my life?

⟢ How could I be better to myself? (Consider finances, habits, relationships, knowledge, etc.)

39. What lies have I previously told myself?

⟢ Am I being entirely truthful with myself at this time in my life?

40. When I'm alone, what does my inner voice sound like? Is it positive or negative?

⟢ Consider whose voice that truly is. ⟢ Write a letter to the person who became my inner voice; thank them if they champion me, or challenge their criticisms.

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 7)

31. What are my core values?

⟢ Am I living in alignment with them? What could I change to be more in harmony with them? ⟢ Do they match those of my childhood self? ⟢ If not, why?

32. What do I wish people understood about me?

⟢ How might I be better able to demonstrate this quality that people tend to overlook?

32. Do I have the same recurring nightmares?

⟢ What is the theme? ⟢ What might it relate to? ⟢ How might I face the fear that's causing these nightmares?

33. What is the worst way I've been taken advantage of?

⟢ Think about the person who treated me that way and consider their circumstances. What do I think drove them to treat me this way?

34. Now imagine somebody is working through the previous exercise and they are picturing me.

⟢ Who is this person? ⟢ What did I do to them? ⟢ What were the circumstances at the time? ⟢ Write a brief letter to the person that explains myself and apologizes. ⟢ Have I forgiven myself? Imagine the person is writing their letter to me, and they forgive me. Take a deep breath and, as I exhale, breathe out any feelings of guilt I have been holding onto from this.

35. What is the worst thing I've ever done?

⟢ What drove me to it? ⟢ Have I confessed this to anybody, even myself? Am I afraid of being honest about it? ⟢ Am I protecting myself or others? ⟢ Could being open about it help to bring me peace?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 6)

26. With whom or in what situations do I find myself putting on a mask or embodying a different persona?

⟢ What do I think would happen if I exposed my true self? ⟢ How does that make me feel?

27. Negative traits tend to develop in childhood as a defense mechanism. They're useful at the time but we outgrow them in adulthood. What are some of my least desirable traits?

⟢ Where do these come from? ⟢ Think about their purpose and write down more positive and productive behaviors I could use instead. ⟢ Think about others I know who display these traits too, and how they make me feel. Make a promise to look past the trait to the vulnerability behind it in the future as I do not know other people's stories.

28. Think about my friendships. Who are the people closest to me?

⟢ Why did previous friendships fail? ⟢ How do I feel about it?

29. How do I typically respond to compliments?

⟢ How do I feel about my positive traits being seen, and publicly praised? ⟢ Why do I feel this way?

30. What do I most dislike about myself?

⟢ Why is that? ⟢ Would I feel the same levels of distaste for somebody else in my position?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 5)

21. What is my definition of failure?

⟢ What makes these circumstances so terrible? ⟢ Imagine myself in this situation. Write down 5 things I believe people would think about me. ⟢ Now write down 5 things I would hope people think of me.

22. Who regularly (or lastly) belittles or downplays my emotions?

⟢ How does that make me feel?

23. Think about unhealthy relationships I have or have previously had. What is the common theme?

⟢ Why do I think I find myself in this kind of dynamic? ⟢ How can I recognize and avoid allowing this type of relationship to develop?

24. What emotions tend to bring out the worst in me?

⟢ Why do I think that is?

25. When have I been self- sabotaging or self-destructive in my life?

⟢ How was I feeling at the time? ⟢ What triggered my behavior? ⟢ Is there a trend or pattern than I've noticed? If so, what is it?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 4)

16. What misconceptions do people have about me?

⟢How does that make me feel?

17. What would I tell my younger self? Exercise compassion, grace, understanding, forgiveness.

⟢What advice would I give my younger self? ⟢ Why?

18. What memories bring me shame?

⟢ Consider who I was then, what led to my behavior, and how I've changed since then. ⟢ Think about my memories of shame. Close my eyes and take myself back to when I was at my worst. Relive the feelings I had at that time, breathing in deep 5 times and letting the air out slow. After 5 breaths, open my eyes and look around - notice how far I've come. ⟢ Write out the words: "I did the best I could at the time, and I forgive myself".

19. Which traits would I least want to have?

⟢ Why would those traits be so terrible? ⟢ Have I ever demonstrated these traits?

20. In what ways am I similar to my parents / childhood caregivers?

⟢ Is this a conscious decision? ⟢ In what ways would I like to emulate them? ⟢ How do I actively choose (or try) to be different?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 3)

11. Would others be more likely to describe me as confrontational, or a pushover?

⟢ How would I prefer to be viewed? ⟢ Why?

12. What is an impactful relationship I've walked away from?

⟢ Why was this a positive life choice for me?

13. How would I objectively describe myself? (Facts about myself).

⟢ How easy was this task? ⟢ Do I truly know who I am? ⟢ Do I like who I am?

14. What person has hurt me most in my life?

⟢ What would I like to say to them?

15. What most frightens me?

⟢How might I be able to expose myself to my fears in a safe way?

[astroione]

Shadow Work Prompts

(Pt. 2)

6. When is the last time I felt let down?

⟢ Were these feelings truly rational, or was I triggered by something?

7. Do I have healthy boundaries in my relationships?

⟢ Is there any particular relationship that I feel could benefit from setting stronger boundaries for myself? ⟢ What is preventing me from having the courage to hold that space for myself? ⟢ Can I say, with complete confidence, that I respect the boundaries of others? ⟢If not, why?

8. What makes me feel empty?

⟢ How do I usually fill that void? ⟢ What are some healthy strategies I'd like to develop to overcome feelings of empty?

9. Who has the most influence over me?

⟢ Is that healthy?

10. Who do I envy?

⟢ What do I envy about them? ⟢ Why? ⟢ How might I be able to work towards gaining the things/traits they have?

[astroione]

Shadow Prompts

(Pt.1)

What do I think are the worst traits a person can have?

⟢When have I demonstrated those traits?

2. How do I think people see me?

⟢ How would they describe me? ⟢ How would I feel about that?

3. What things trigger me?

⟢ Where do these irrational feelings stem from?

4. What is the very worst emotion to experience for me, personally? (anger, jealousy, rejection, betrayal, etc.)

⟢Why? ⟢When was the first time I felt that? Where does that come from?

5. What do I judge in others?

⟢ When have I seen that behavior / trait in myself?