How to Become a Witch, Amber K. [new books to read .txt] 📗

In shadow work, we confront those uncomfortable parts of ourselves that are usually hidden in the subconscious. They reveal their presence in our feelings. When we experience fear, anger, hatred, shame, guilt, grief, or even irritation or embarrassment, we can be sure that a shadow issue has been triggered.

Shadow issues also manifest in negative attitudes, such as self-loathing, prejudice and bigotry, pessimism, and even indifference. And ultimately, they reveal themselves in harmful behaviors: addictions and other self-destructive acts, sloth, mindless conformity, discrimination, recklessness, or violence. Unresolved shadow issues also frequently lead to emotional, mental, and physical illness.

All these things stunt our potential. They limit our ability to be joyous, creative, lifegiving, and healing individuals. They not only prevent us from being positive forces in the world but can cause us to harm others, even those we care for deeply.

As Witches, we face our shadow sides, work to understand their sources and roots, then reframe, transmute, and harness the power that resides in the shadow. This is in huge contrast with those who want only to ignore, avoid, or escape anything to do with the shadow.

Of course, we are dealing with the same issues that one encounters in counseling or psychotherapy. And Witches are quite willing to seek counseling when it seems appropriate. It is simply that we have different perspectives and tools than the average therapist.

Shadow work is not comfortable or quickly done. But those who will not shine a light into the shadowy recesses of their own hearts are destined to be controlled by whatever lurks there unseen. And Witches submit to no control except that of the divine spirit within.

Doing shadow work requires three steps:

We admit and take responsibility for our negative emotions, attitudes, and behaviors.

We choose not to stuff them, avoid them, ignore them, blame them on others, run away from them (through alcohol, drugs, etc.), or let them control our behavior (act them out in destructive ways).

We work with them until we understand their sources and can bring them into the light and release them, or transform them into something positive.

Take care of your basic physical health, because negative feelings can be caused by, or worsened by, a physical condition. Check with your doctors and healers to see if there might be a physiological cause for feelings or behaviors that distress you. A chemical imbalance in your brain can lead to manic depression, a shortage of serotonin can lead to clinical depression, and the list goes on. These can be treated with improved diet, control of your blood sugar level, medication, and other approaches.

Of course, there is usually a synergy between physical illness and emotional, mental, energetic, and spiritual problems, so you can approach it from both sides. We believe that very few problems are strictly physical or emotional; we are each a complex interaction of many parts, and the whole person must be treated for any imbalance or disease.

Many magickal or ritual tools or techniques can be used in shadow work:

Meditate until you understand why that shadow was necessary in your life; then thank it, say farewell, and do a releasing spell.

Do magick to discover whether you are affected by an outside agency or person; for example, see if energy cords from other people are attached to your chakras. Ask yourself, “Is this my ‘stuff’ or does it belong to someone else?”

Work with animal allies, elemental spirits, and spirit guides who have balancing strengths; if you are fearful, get help from one who is filled with courage, like Lion or a fire elemental.

Imagine a version of yourself who has transcended the shadow issue or transformed it; raise power and draw it into yourself or a poppet (doll) representing you.

Rename or reframe the shadow; look at it from another perspective that is positive and useful, and pour energy into that image.

Make and wear a talisman based on an element, planetary energy, or deity that can heal, release, or transform the shadow.

Think how you could be without that shadow, then act in accord, “as if” it were already healed or released, until it becomes reality.

During meditation, go inside and meet your shadow self. (It may be an earlier version of you from a traumatic time in your life.) Talk and listen to it, then do healing for that wounded self.

Do a ritual cleansing to release the shadow and embrace the pure you.

Do self-blessings and affirmations frequently; affirm the former need for the shadow and release it from your life now.

If you have harmed another or yourself, seek atonement. Balance the scales: restore, heal, or replace what was lost or damaged.

You need not face the dark alone. Work with deities who understand shadow issues; these are only a few of them:

Persephone, the maiden who was taken to the Underworld but returns to the world of life and light each spring for a while. She understands both light and darkness. And remember that she is Queen of the Underworld—that’s where she gets her power.

Hecate, the torch-bearer who guides Persephone through dark tunnels to the light and her mother, Demeter.

Inanna, the Sumerian goddess of life who voluntarily went to the Underworld to learn to understand death, and there met the dark queen Ereshkigal.

Rhiannon, the Celtic goddess who was forced to suffer and bear many burdens before she achieved her freedom.

Ceridwen, another Celtic deity, who has the sacred cauldron of transformation and rebirth.

Osiris, Odin, Tammuz, Mithras, and the gods of sun and grain who die and are reborn.

Quan Yin, the compassionate goddess of the East “who hears the weeping world.”

Isis, Brigit, Apollo, Hygeia, Aesclepius, and all the healer goddesses and gods.

Ganesh, the loving Hindu god who can remove all obstacles.

You need not face the dark alone. Work also with people who understand shadow issues; these are a few of them:

An elder Witch who has worked through these issues.

Your coven sisters and brothers, who may be able to lovingly point out an issue or help you gain clarity.

A counselor; after all, most of the behaviors you may question will have a nonspiritual