“It is a frightening thought that man also has a shadow
side to him, consisting not just of little weaknesses and foibles, but of a
positively demonic dynamism. The individual seldom knows anything of this; to
him, as an individual, it is incredible that he should ever in any
circumstances go beyond himself. But let these harmless creatures form a mass,
and there emerges a raging monster.”
In my forthcoming book, Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realm, i described the Shadow Self as:
"The Shadow Self is also seen as an archetype that represents the neglected side of our nature. It is this aspect of ourselves that can drag us down into a pit of despair. This “darker” side of our personality relates to the “reptilian”, or our more primitive, instinctive brain functions that we share with all reptiles and mammals. These most powerful functions form part of our oldest coping brain functions and without which, we would not be alive. These functions include emotions and impulses such as anger (often coupled with fear), sex drive (need to procreate) and selfishness (survival). If any of these functions are taken to the extreme or enacted upon in a less than desirable manner (dictated by society’s norms), then we may find ourselves shunned, our actions disproved of, and we end up being categorised as “undesirable”."
"The Shadow Self is also seen as an archetype that represents the neglected side of our nature. It is this aspect of ourselves that can drag us down into a pit of despair. This “darker” side of our personality relates to the “reptilian”, or our more primitive, instinctive brain functions that we share with all reptiles and mammals. These most powerful functions form part of our oldest coping brain functions and without which, we would not be alive. These functions include emotions and impulses such as anger (often coupled with fear), sex drive (need to procreate) and selfishness (survival). If any of these functions are taken to the extreme or enacted upon in a less than desirable manner (dictated by society’s norms), then we may find ourselves shunned, our actions disproved of, and we end up being categorised as “undesirable”."
I share some of my thoughts about the Shadow and the Shadow Work in this video as the means of an introduction:
The second part of my thoughts on the Shadow and the Shadow Work can be found is this second video:
I anticipate to share more of my thoughts on working with the Shadow and the Shadow Work, especially when utilising darker aspects of the deity, as I suggest in my upcoming book, Encountering the Dark Goddess: A Journey into the Shadow Realms (now due for release in April 2021, due to be published by Moon Books).
