“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” Carl Jung.

Do you wonder why certain situations, people or behaviours trigger you? Have you ever considered perhaps your reaction is more telling than the scenario you find yourself in?

That trigger is an aspect of your character called your shadow.

The idea of shadow, our unconscious or ‘disowned self’ was first introduced by the Swiss psychiatrist and founder of analytical psychology Carl Jung last century. Jung identified we all present a conscious persona more commonly known as our ego outwardly to the world. The conscious ego seeks to be admired and respected. It conforms to social and moral behavioural codes and is eager for acceptance.

The unconscious shadow however is the aspects of ourselves we would rather keep hidden and unacknowledged. We’re social creatures who thrive off personal interaction and community, at our core whether we recognise it or not we all fear rejection and isolation.

As emotions develop and present in early childhood we’re taught reactions such as anger, sadness or jealousy are considered ‘bad’ behaviours. Time and experience teach us to suppress socially unattractive traits; but when there’s no outlet for them to be expressed and released, they become stifled and unaddressed.

Emotions connected to our shadow of our unconscious self are rage, envy, prejudices, sexual desires and our desire for power and dominance over others. Given our evolution, it makes sense that our basic instincts are animalistic, society couldn’t function if we went around acting upon our wildest impulses! Instead, we’re taught young what’s considered socially acceptable and to reject those parts of ourselves which are not.

Analysing yourself by reflecting on past experiences and reactions which may have led to shadow facets forming can be uncomfortable. In the discomfort of self-discovery, however, is where we will all find revelation and true understanding of ourselves. By not addressing our shadow we are effectively rejecting a part of ourselves. Deep healing can take place when you see the whole.

“Man becomes whole, integrated, calm, fertile, and happy when (and only when) the process of individuation is complete when the conscious and the unconscious have learned to live at peace and to complement one another.” — Carl Jung

Where to look for Shadow in Astrology and Human Design

1. Every zodiac sign has a high and low vibration in the way it expresses itself. Given the three biggest hitters in a chart are the sun, moon and ascending look to the signs they fall in and note their lower vibrational characteristics.
2. The moon in a chart represents our needs, emotions and early years. Consider the sign, house and if there are any hard aspects to the moon, especially from the malefic’s (Mars and Saturn).
3. The 12 house in a chart rules our subconscious and karma (this and previous lifetimes). The condition of your 12th house can reveal a great deal, consider the sign and its lower vibrational characteristics. Do any planets occupy your 12^th house, if so which ones (again, the malefic’s will have the toughest impact) and what aspects they’re making within the chart, concentrate on conjunctions, squares and oppositions.
4. The condition of someone’s Saturn can also be revealing. Saturn in the chart is here to act as our teacher. Saturn points us in the direction of important life lessons but it can also be restrictive, ridged and authoritarian.
5. Pluto is the other planet to read, it rules our shadow! As well as being the keeper of our secrets it’s also here to crush our egos and help us all transform and transmute.
6. The asteroid Chiron known as the wounded healer is our pain point in the chart. Its energy is more subtle than the planets and is said you won’t feel its effects until you are 50+ years of age. Depending on where Chiron is placed within your chart is where you need to heal.
7. Final place in astrology to look would be your south node, we default to our south node characteristics when stressed or not acting from a place of consciousness.
8. In Human Design we all have a ‘not-self’ theme also known as our shadow self. It expresses itself when we are not following our strategy and authority.

Generators ‘not-self’ theme is frustration

Manifesting Generators ‘not-self’ theme is frustration and anger

Manifestors ‘not-self’ theme is anger

Projectors ‘not-self’ theme is bitterness

Reflectors ‘not-self’ theme is disappointment

9. It’s important to be aware of which of your centres are open and undefined (an open centre is white; a defined centre is coloured in). With open centres, we’re absorbing the energy of our environment, taking in and on that which is not ours. Once you’re aware you can start to watch your reactions and urges to situations and question is that me or how I’ve become programmed. In Human Design we called this ‘conditioned’ by others.

Aside from exploring shadow in my charts, there are other tools I’ve used over the years to help me process and explore that which I kept locked away. I’m sharing my experiences in the hope to be of service and help (can’t help it, that’s my Virgo Sun for you!). Everyone’s approach and exploration are their own. If you embark on the process try to be honest and neutral with yourself. We all carry shadow selves, you are not alone. Most people choose to shy away from looking at themselves so be proud of yourself for recognising the need to do the work. And be kind to yourself as you start to explore the recesses of your psyche.

Tools and techniques to uncover your shadow self.

1. Journal – make a note each time you find yourself feeling a strong negative emotion (envy, anger, hate etc) what were the circumstances, who was involved, and what was said? Once clear try recalling other instances where you may have had similar reactions and feelings. Keep going as far back as you can, the further back into your history the more likely it is you’ll reach the core of where the shadow originated. This process may take you some time, don’t rush it. If it doesn’t come flooding in that’s ok. Be aware so as and when things present make a note and look for patterns.
2. Talk to your shadow – I know it sounds odd and will likely feel strange initially, but I promise your shadow will start to talk back. Find a quiet place where you won’t be interrupted, close your eyes if it helps then start presenting yourself with open questions such as “Why do I feel angry?” “What is it about this person that provokes me?” “Why do I feel envious of them?”.The more you do this the more you will realise you have the answers and understanding within. Your inner voice might answer back, and you can begin a dialogue. Or maybe you’ll see something flash in your mind, or perhaps you’ll feel a physical reaction within your body, which you’ll need to decipher and ask why your body is holding onto emotion there. Note, everything that is said or presented back to you for reflection and understanding. This practice can become something you start to do regularly whenever you feel provoked or stuck. When you recognise and call out your shadow it has nowhere to hide, and more importantly, you won’t unconsciously be carrying it with you.
3. Hold up a mirror – who do you have the most difficult relationships with? Question why that is, what traits do they display that most annoy you? Take an honest look, and note all that comes up for reflection and understanding. As Jung said ‘Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.’
4. Inner child – this is a topic all of its own but it’s important to be included in shadow work too. Science suggests our personality traits are predominantly formed by the age of 7. It is crucial as part of shadow exploration to go back to your earliest standout memories and relationships and evoke what lasting impressions they made on you and what impact they may still be having on your life today. This can be done through mediation, journaling, talk therapy or hypnosis to name a few.

Final thought…

I know, this all sounds like effort, time and potentially hard, uncomfortable work but try to think of shadow exploration differently. What if after you’ve examined yourself you reveal your most potent, creative, expressive self?

Perhaps it was never you who chose to shun that side of yourself, you may discover you were in fact shamed by a strict parent, or an envious friend made you feel foolish or perhaps a conventionalist teacher just didn’t recognise your talent. You may have closed down aspects of your character in an act of unconscious self-preservation. Perhaps your untapped shadow talent has for all this time been patiently waiting dormant, ready to be expressed and to come into the light.

It’s worth remembering too our shadows won’t ever leave us, they are us, and it’s part of the tapestry of your unique character. We all owe it to ourselves to find our unconscious self, recognise it, embrace it, and integrate it. If as Jung suggested it’s the unconscious shadow version of ourselves running the show in these global turbulent, uncertain times would we consciously choose our rage, dominance, and prejudice to lead us? Perhaps that’s why we find the world in the state of flux it is today.

Image credit Stefano Pollio