When I started working with deities, they wanted me to do shadow work. It was mandatory, and it was presented to me as a way not only to know my shadow and integrate it, but as a way to alchemize myself. A way to transform. To become something new.
I started doing it using tarot and automatic writing.
This is the spread I use
The shadow // A card to represent the shadow to get to know in this reading.
Why I rejected it // Take your time reading this card. Feel it. Dig deep in yourself. Sometimes even the reasons are in shadows.
How does it surface in my life? // Everything you reject, or suppress, or do not acknowledge finds its way to your everyday life. Take your time with this card, too.
The hidden value of the shadow // Every shadow has something to teach you, to empower you. Getting to know yourself better strengthens you. Find the wisdom in it. Face the shadow and see it's beauty.
How to Alchemize it // The way to integrate the shadow in your life. To harmonize yourself with it. To look at the shadow as a friend, as a part of you, and not something to hide or reject. The way to shift internally and transform.
It was really useful.
If you use it and have feedback, let me know!
Una stesa per il lavoro sull'ombra
Quando ho iniziato a lavorare con le divinità, volevano che facessi shadow-work, ovvero il lavoro sulla propria ombra. È stato proprio una tappa obbligatoria, che mi è stata presentata non solo come un modo per conoscere la mia ombra e integrarla, ma come un modo per "alchimizzarmi", per trasformarmi e diventare qualcosa di nuovo, una persona.
Così ho iniziato a farlo coi tarocchi abbinati alla scrittura automatica.
Questa è la stesa:
1. L'ombra // La carta che rappresenta l'ombra che verrà approfondita nella lettura
2. Perché l'ho rifiutata // Una carta che ha bisogno del suo tempo per essere "sentita" in profondità, perché a volte anche le motivazioni rimangono nell'ombra.
3. Come affiora nella vita? // Tutto ciò che rifiutiamo, sopprimiamo o non riconosciamo comunque trova il modo di affiorare in superficie nel nostro modo di vivere. Anche qui, prendetevi del tempo.
4. Il valore nascosto dell'ombra // Ogni ombra ha qualcosa da insegnare, e può renderti più. Conoscere se stessi ci fa crescere. Cercate la saggezza in quest'ombra. Guardatela e trovate la sua bellezza.
5. Come Alchimizzarla // Il modo per integrare l'ombra nella nostra vita, per armonizzarci con essa. Per guardare all'ombra come un'amica, come una parte di sé e non qualcosa da rifiutare o nascondere. Questa carta indica il modo di compiere quello spostamento interno e trasformarci.
This reminds me of a party I went to last year. I was standing with some friends, chatting, and someone said something that indirectly implied that sexism exists. Some trivial recounting of the basic facts of daily life for most women. Something so mild, so uncontroversial, so mundane that I don’t even remember what it was.
Suddenly, this man standing on the outskirts of our conversational circle piped up with “actually, I think men are more discriminated against than women these days.”
All conversation died.
I turned to look at him and he had this smug, insufferable grin on his face, relishing this moment, expecting us to waste our time and energy refuting this ridiculous thing he had just said.
The Devil’s Advocate was among us.
And, in my mind, I saw the next 15+ minutes playing out. The parade of facts and statistics in a vain attempt to defend ourselves, our gender, and to prove that misogyny is real. The glib, snide denials from some shithead who is getting off on our pain and frustration. The Gish Gallop of bullshit that would take a whole evening to properly dismantle. It was depressing and overwhelming. I hated it. I had to kill it before it began.
So I looked him dead in the eye and I said “OK,“ shrugged, and just walked away.
Nothing I have ever said to another human being has ever been so crushing. As I walked away, I watched the smug grin vanish and confusion and anxiety set in. The rest of the group turned their backs to him and carried on as if he had never spoken - as if he was invisible. He was still staring at me when I walked over to another friend and told her what he had said. I pointed him out for her and made direct eye contact with him while we both laughed.
tl;dr: Don’t feed the troll. Let it perish, cold and hungry, in the wasteland of your indifference. It is weak and you are strong. Live your best life.
