by Tracy Moore
We’re often told that the shadows are a dangerous and scary place. While that is at times true, it is more often not. Yes, sometimes the shadows hold monsters.
Many times however, those monsters are the creations of our own fears, misconceptions, and insecurities. Perhaps the monsters are the voices of those who used scare tactics or shaming to ensure our conformity in the past.
One of our most powerful allies exists deep within the darkest corners of our psyche…the whole picture.
For thousands of years, there have been those who have tried to convince the rest of us that the part of us which bristles at the idea that there is only one truth, that conformity equals worthy, or that if we aren’t sweet all the time that we are flawed is wrong.
We have been trained not to think for ourselves. We have had fear planted deep within us. Many of us who were brought up in strict religious households were taught that thinking too much for ourselves was sinful. Why? One word…control.
Being raised to be a ‘nice girl’, at one time I would have never dreamed of embracing the dark side of life and myself.
Many of us are raised in a turn the other cheek and just play by the rules culture. Years of experience and wading through shit (many times unnecessarily so) have taught me that there are times in which the only way to make your way to the light is to claw, or at times merrily skip, your way through the dark places.
Below are just five reasons in favor of dipping your toes into the gray area of the pool, though there are many others.
Being taken advantage of.
Let’s face it, many magical people are empathic, psychically gifted, and giving by nature. Some people see this as an open invitation to dump all of their unwanted thoughts, feelings and emotions right into the lap of someone with these qualities.
Like parasites, some people will drain another dry without thinking twice. They gain energy by spreading their drama and chaos to others, and once they’re in, they will demand your time and attention.
People like this will try to use guilt or your sense of compassion to keep you compliant. They aren’t truly looking for help…they are gathering energy…at the expense of yours.
Whatever their deal is, it isn’t your burden to carry them. There are people out there genuinely looking for tools to work with, and if you’re depleted you cannot help them, or yourself. Remember that you matter too.
You can be kind without being a doormat. There may come a time when normal shielding isn’t quite enough. Remember that repelling or shielding against a specific person is not the same as doing another harm, attacking, or messing with free will. This is defense!
When you are under attack.
As much as we would like to think that people do not use energy as a weapon, we all know in our hearts that they do.
It’s sad, because it makes no sense to use your energy to harm or take away from someone else when you could be using it to help yourself to get to where it is that you would like to be in life. There will be those who will see your happiness or success as a threat to their own. Their lack of understanding that there is enough happiness and success for everyone is dangerous and harmful.
There are also people who will wish for you to do something which you do not wish to do, no matter what that might be. These unscrupulous people will aim those energetic daggers straight at you and either feel justified in their actions, or simply not care.
It is easier to blame someone else for their unhappiness than to examine themselves to figure out the work which they need to do.
It isn’t okay for someone to attack another person out of jealousy or insecurity. Thankfully this doesn’t happen all that often, but when it does what’s the harm in turning the tables and simply sending their own energy and intent back?
This is a gray area for some. For me, it is nothing more than bouncing their own issue back for them to deal with. Why should they get to take the easy way out?
When you are truly in need.
We’ve all had rough patches in our lives. Times when there wasn’t enough money to last until the next pay was due, or an unexpected emergency which left the coffers shy of funds for day to day expenses.
As long as you watch your intent, this is one of those areas which can be worked within very safely. Ask to be directed to a way to get the needed funds without creating a lack for someone else.
Playing in the shadows does not mean that we turn into the very type of person which we would feel that we might need to defend ourselves from. The idea here is to ask to be given a way to receive that you need in such a way that it doesn’t create problems for someone else.
Would you rather find a wallet stuffed with cash, causing someone else to lose their grocery money or be given a way to earn or perhaps win what you need?
When someone you love is in danger.
Many of us have faced situations in which we have seen those that we love the most facing grave danger. It could be a deadly health condition, a violent relationship, or we could have a precognitive flash that they could have an accident.
This is another one of those gray areas in which intention is everything (as most everything in life is). Always be mindful that their problem could be one which is part of their soul’s journey here in the physical realm.
Far be it from us to step in and alter that lesson, therefore impacting not only their karma, but our own. When facing something of this nature, the important thing is to make it clear in your intention that you are sending energy to that person to assist them in a way which is for their highest good in that moment.
When you are being your own worst enemy.
There are times when our own fears and insecurities keep us from pursuing our dreams, essentially creating a prison in which we do not express our truth or do what it is that we were put here to do.
Being faced with success can be scary, especially when you may have had your head filled with negativity in the past. This is one of those moments when the only cure is to dive headlong into that dark place, face that beast, and kick its ass!
Delving into ancient memories, from this lifetime and those of the past is difficult work.
There is a quote out there by a man named Roy Peng which says, “There is no light without dark, no happiness without grief, no improvement without error, and no true love without heartbreak. Take every bump in the road as a signal for something greater to come”.
Use that beautiful talent of yours to foster your own success. Remember that you are worthy. Keep walking through that shadow, because the light at the end of it is brilliant!
As you can see from the examples above, it really is all about intention. The shadow part of ourselves is not something to be feared or ashamed of.
It is as natural as the contrast between day and night in the natural world. Learning to accept the shadow and how to work within it healthily is important work.
There are many who would shame you for having normal human feelings such as anger, doubt, or discouragement. Feeling those feelings does not mean that you aren’t doing something right…that you are setting yourself up for failure…that you don’t have enough trust.
It is what you do with those feelings which sets the frequency for what comes next. Feel your feelings, even the darker ones. There are lessons and tremendous opportunities for growth in them.
About the Author
You can check out her website, Pull Up A Toadstool, where she posts a little bit of everything; ranging from short articles encouraging people to tap into their personal power, mini-workshops on subjects such as meditation and crystals, poetry, fiction, some of her artwork, and information on getting a reading or intuitive services. She also runs a project with a friend, sistersintheshadows.com, that’s revolving around shadow work and dark stuff that is fun, as well, like the month long Horror Fest in October. You can also join her Facebook group and like her page to engage in conversation, get the card of the day, and meet new people.
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