We’re approaching Samhain – the time of year when the veil is the thinnest and when we move into the dark half of the year. This is a time for withdrawing inward.
This is not just about the ways that we withdraw from the world and start enjoying the warmth of the home as the weather turns colder (here in the northern hemisphere). It is also about how we start to reflect upon our own inner world. It is the time for getting comfortable with the darkness and following the flow of the earth’s natural cycles. It’s the time for Shadow Work.
Shadow work is a journey inward to reclaim the darkness and light within you.
Shadow work helps you gain an intimate understanding of your inner self. It’s the conscious undertaking of exploring the dark, interior realm of your subconscious mind and the hidden feelings and wounds that reside there. In a modern, spiritual sense, Shadow Work is about uncovering and exploring the parts of yourself that are holding you back. These parts may be preventing you from living in authentic joy. They are created over time through social conditioning, personal fears, and trauma and wounds inflicted upon you by others (from your childhood to the present day).
These shadow aspects of your personality are created when you have a traumatic emotional response to something that was deemed negative by others (and thus, seen as negative by the self). To cope, your subconscious mind locks this part of your psyche away in the “shadow.”
Shadow work is the spiritual work of uncovering and reacquainting yourself with the parts of you that you’ve been made to feel are “unacceptable”.
The discarded parts of yourself that you’ve locked up and hidden away because others (family, friends, society) have deemed them unsuitable or negative. It is the conscious reintegration of these aspects as part of your whole self.
Your shadow self and your light self are two halves to one whole. Re-integrating and reuniting these dual aspects of yourself is important for balance and alignment. After all, both pieces are a part of you and contribute to the uniqueness of who you are. Thus, the Shadow is a necessary part of your being, it is part of your wholeness.
It’s Time to Walk the Path of Shadow and Illumination…Do You Feel the Call?
Perhaps you’re brand new to this concept. Maybe you’re a little familiar but don’t quite understand it all yet, or maybe you’re even deeply immersed in this process as a part of your regular spiritual practice. Shadow work helps you get to know yourself better than ever before. No matter where you’re at on your path, healing crystals can be incredibly helpful for support during your Shadow Work Practice, (both the novice or the experienced shadow worker alike).
The following are the 5 Best Crystals for Shadow Work:
Black Moonstone:
Black Moonstone is connected to the energy of the dark goddesses (especially Hecate/Hekate, Baba Yaga, and Kali) that rule the Shadow Realm. These goddesses are often feared because of their perceived negative connotations, but in fact, they represent transformation.
Black Moonstone assists you during times of uncomfortable change as both an emotional and energetic support. It’s also a stone of feminine empowerment and is linked to the archetypes of the maiden, the mother, and the crone. It is an excellent companion stone for times of rebirth or transformation, especially spiritual rebirths.
Black Moonstone reveals to you your identity as it’s seen by the divine. It can facilitate a connection between your light side and your shadow side. It is especially powerful for use during ritual or ceremony related to shadow work during the dark and new moon phases.
Black Moonstone is related to all forms of growth (physical, mental, and emotional). It can keep you energetically protected during major life transitions so that you can emerge safe, supported, and whole on the other side of your journey.
Black Obsidian:
Black Obsidian assists you in finding deeper meaning in your Shadow aspects. This stone helps you unlock the symbols and insights presented by your Shadow side. You will be better able to integrate these aspects of yourself back into the light.
This is best done through the art of crystallomancy (a form of crystal scrying divination). It will engage the subconscious mind in the act of journeying into the realm of shadow. The crystal Black Obsidian is connected to the Dark Goddess Kali. You can read more about the Healing Properties of Black Obsidian here.
Are you interested in starting your shadow work journey but aren’t sure where to start? These two courses are your ultimate guides for your journey within:
My Crystal Shadow Work Course & Unlocking Obsidians Course will gently support you through the deep, introspective and sometimes heavy work of meeting your shadows. They both leave the shop on Friday, October 17th — enroll today to grab them before they’re gone!
Black Onyx:
Black Onyx helps keep you feeling safe, grounded, and centered during your Shadow Work process. It’s a stone of stability and calm, so it works well to hold onto this stone when you’re feeling overwhelmed or while you’re processing something meaningful. This stone is connected with the Dark Goddess Persephone (also known as Core, Kore, Proserpina, or Proserpine).
Join Adam Barralet, Ashley Leavy, Kyle Perez, and Nicholas Pearson in the very first episode of the Crystal Confab Podcast as they discuss all-things Black Onyx, including:
- Black Onyx & the New Moon in Libra
- Black Onyx for Shadow Work
- The science behind the energy of Black Onyx
- The origins and etymology of ‘Onyx’ and how the meaning has shifted over time
Tune in now and dive into the magical world of Black Onyx!
Lapis Lazuli:
The Sumerian Goddess, Inanna, was said to wear a Lapis Lazuli necklace. Inanna also carried long wands of Lapis that she used to measure the length of a person’s lifetime. Throughout time, people have associated Lapis with connections to other worlds.
In one ancient Babylonian myth, the goddess Ishtar adorns herself from head to toe in Lapis Lazuli to prepare for passage into the Underworld. These prove useful as they must be given up in exchange for passage through the seven gates of the underworld. This is a journey that eventually leads to her ascension and rebirth.
Work with Lapis Lazuli when you’re ready to heal your wounds. It will allow you to rise from the realm of shadow to reclaim your power. Lapis Lazuli is a stone of spiritual mystery and helps you to better understand your shadow side. Although the shadow self is often ignored, consciously working with it brings about personal growth. Lapis Lazuli helps you tap into your shadow side and take a journey of self-discovery.
Selenite:
Selenite helps to clear out old wounds and energies that have been healed or released during your Shadow Work practice. It also assists with clearing cords to people, places, energies, or experiences that no longer serve you.
I can’t wait for you to experience the growth and transformations that you unlock with these Shadow Work Crystals. The world needs your gifts, but you can only shine your light once you’ve acknowledged your inner darkness.
As crystal healers, it’s important for us to continue to practice our own inner work and deeper healing by exploring the interior realm of the subconscious mind and the hidden feelings that reside there.
Shadow work is the spiritual work of uncovering and reacquainting yourself with the hidden parts of yourself, and recognizing and reintegrating these parts can be really helpful and very healing. That’s why, in my Crystal Shadow Work Course, I’ve shared some of what I’ve learned on my own journey of the conscious undertaking of exploring this dark, interior realm of the subconscious mind and the hidden feelings that reside there – because connecting with your shadow is a huge step in your journey toward greater wholeness!
You’ll learn foundational techniques for using crystals in your shadow work, like…
- Why shadow work is a necessary part of spiritual work (including crystal healing!)
- 5 steps to begin your shadow work practice and which crystals to incorporate along the way
- Instructions for a guided shadow work crystal meditation
- A crystal ball scrying technique for unlocking the shadow work symbols
- Journaling prompts and workbooks to support your shadow work journey
Are you ready to uncover and reacquaint yourself with your hiddenmost parts? Harness the power of crystal energy to connect with your shadow self and unlock your full potential with my Crystal Shadow Work Course!
But hurry! This course leaves the shop on Friday, October 17th. Enroll today before it’s gone for good!
Are you interested in becoming a Certified Crystal Healer? Find out more about the CCH and Advanced Crystal Practitioner Program HERE!
2 Responses
Thank you. Really enjoyed the podcast. I have a large tray of crystals but don’t know what to do with them. So I carry some in my pocket for protection and grounding, but that’s it. When you speak of working with your stone, I have no real idea of what that means. Will watch more of your podcasts. I am a Reiki practioner so will look at how to use crystals there. I have rose quartz under my bed. Will definitely use my selenite when I talk to my son. Again, thank you. ?
So happy to hear that. 🙂 It sounds like you have a natural intuition about how and when to keep your crystals near you! I hope you continue to enjoy and learn from our podcasts and posts. <3 Crystal Blessings!