When you look in the mirror, do you see your shadow's reflection beside your own?
What do they look like?
Do they have claws, fangs, evil eyes? Maybe Wings?
Or perhaps they appear pristine; pretty and light with the most inviting face you could imagine.
Do they look you dead in your eyes or shy away avoiding connection with their unknown self?
Do you blink? Do they smile?
Are you Scared?
Sometimes we shy away from our shadow. They intimidate us - or maybe even, we are ashamed of them. The shadow we see triggers a fight or flight inside of us. We prefer to live in our light, we decided long ago that the shadows of ourselves, the ones whom appear scary...they do not exist. We were programmed for "keeping up appearances", that the light is good and dark is evil. As a child we were afraid of the dark and found comfort in the sun.
In other instances, throughout our lifetime our "light" and our "shadow" have swapped places. Now, we THRIVE in the dark. In fact, the being we see in the mirror dead ahead of us was once our shadow however, we allowed it to take over our identity through trauma and perhaps hardships. The being we see as our shadow self besides us is in fact quite bright and shiny....now this has become the side of us which jolts us into panic and discomfort.
What causes each of us to experience this one way or another? Do you remember a time when you experienced it differently than you do now?
The term "Shadow Work"; what does this represent to you? How does it resonate as you stare into a reflection pool? It is time to open your eyes, BE VAIN! Look at your reflection in every opportunity you can! As you walk by store fronts, do you see your shadow following you? Or on the contrary - are you following them?
Does the work represent acknowledging the dark twisted spirit following you around? Is it time to learn from this side of yourself? What about the possibility of surrendering and surround that side of yourself with healing warmth and compassion?
For others, you may need to stand up and remember when that pretty looking shadow was actually you. Do you remember the light was once how you identified? Is it time to separate from that identity you have clung to for so long? - That identity which was once scary to you, but now scary to everyone else. Conceivably, the identity of your "dark side" has become your only identity. Now, the terrors of your life are the pretty aspects. The blooming flowers of pink and yellow, the shining sunny day, the "perfect" family bbq or even true love. Could this shadow work be REMEMBERING the light within and embracing the inner child? How would this work require you to soften?
Ultimately each reflection of yourself is a significant part of YOU. As humans we compartmentalize these figures of ourselves. It takes work, but the goal is to remember, embrace and honor the TRUEST version of yourself. Learning how to integrate all aspects of our being can feel like a huge task yet, it could be started by just looking in the mirror.
Medusa’s Madness 