When I first heard someone talk about shadow work, I had absolutely no idea what they were talking about. It even sounded a bit scary and dark because I tend to associate shadows with darkness and fear. I came to find out that “shadow work” is just a term for something that I had been doing for a long time. I am willing to bet that if you are here reading this right now, then you have already been doing it as well. It is another term for healing and practicing emotional intelligence. This could look different for everyone because nobody’s journey is the same. If you would like to read a little bit more about shadow work, I suggest reading this page on my website. In this youtube video, as well as in over 70 of my tiktoks, you will find prompts to inspire you to reflect and really dig deep. There are many ways of doing this: you can journal using these shadow work prompts, talk to a processor about them (such as a therapist, social worker, life coach, sponsor, etc.), or just think about these prompts.

21 Days of Shadow Work

In September of 2020, I created a “21 days shadow work prompts” challenge on tiktok, mostly because I wanted the accountability for my own shadow work journey. I made 21 shadow work prompts based on the archetypes oracle deck and posted them to tiktok. This was the first time in my life that I actually completed an entire challenge like this on my own and I was really proud of myself. I was also pleasantly surprised to discover that other people were benefitting from the prompts I had created as well. Since I know that not everyone has tiktok, I wanted to make these prompts more accessible, so I compiled them all into one youtube video. I am also going to list the prompts here (if you do not want to watch the video).

1. The Seed: First, write down anything that the archetype of “the seed” reminds you of. You can even listen to the song “the seed” by aurora. The seed is an archetype about growth and with growth comes growing pains and frustration. For the shadow work prompt, write down the things that make you feel agitated, frustrated, or antsy.
2. The Mirror: What do you think of when you think of this archetype? Reflection, Narcissus, Alice through the looking glass…write down what this archetype reminds you of. Then, look in the mirror and write down all of the things you dislike about yourself and your appearance. Also, write down how you compare yourself to others. This may be difficult if you struggle with your self-image, so maybe burn it after writing down so you can release those judgments. Whether you’re conscious of it or not, your initial thought is “this is me and my body.” The thoughts that come afterwards are judgments that have come from society, other people, and the world you were socialized into.
3. The Village: Write down your thoughts about this archetype and make as many connections as you can. The village is an archetype that can represent where we came from: our families, societies, religions, etc. In order to fit in, many of had to conform. For this prompt, write about all of the times you rejected yourself and who you are in order to fit in.
4. The Bardo: I had to look up this archetype because I didn’t know much about it. In Tibetan tradition, “the bardo” is like a sacred pause and gap in time where we can love the unlovable, forgive the unforgivable, and say the unsaid. Here on earth, this pause usually happens when there is a death, birth, natural disaster, or tragedy of some kind. So for this prompt, write about your relationship with birth and death. How do you react during these events? How do you feel like you should react? How do you think others expect you to react? What do these events bring up for you?
5. Eros: This is greek for romantic love, eroticism, passion, and desire. First, what do you think of when you think of love and desire? Are there any “taboo” things that you want or want to try, but don’t think you can have or do? If so, why? Are there things that you wanted to share in a relationship but couldn’t or didn’t? Are you curious about things but feel like you can’t explore them?
6. Gnosis: This is Greek for knowledge, but specifically knowledge of the divine. In english, this is where we get the word agnostic from. So this prompt is going to be about spirituality and religion. Were any beliefs or religions pushed onto you? How did you react to this? What do you believe now and how did you come to believe this?
7. Agape: This is another greek word, which means unconditional or boundless love. So for this prompt, write about all the times you have NOT shown yourself or others unconditional love. This could be times that you are ashamed of, like when you’ve shown the opposite of love, or it could even be you feeling like you don’t deserve love. How can you show up for yourself more? How can you show more love to yourself and others?
8. The Womb: Write down all of the things you can think of in relation to this archetype. Make as many connections as you can! The prompts are-what is your relationship to femininity and mothers? If you’ve been pregnant or want to be, write about your relationship with pregnancy and fertility. If you’ve never been pregnant, can’t, or don’t want to be, you can also reflect on that. Also write about safety! When do you feel the safest? When do you feel the most unsafe? Lastly, since coming from a womb is a universal experience, what are some experiences that connect you with others and what are some experiences that alienate you from others?
9. The Forest: What does this archetype make you think of? Lots of things can happen in a forest. You could get lost and it’s also usually dark in a forest. So for the prompt-when have you felt lost or alone? Are you scared of the dark and/or what could be lurking in the dark? Why or why not? If you answered yes, when did you first notice this fear? Due to the seclusion, darkness, and secrecy of a forest, many scary movies and TV shows take place in forests. What things have you kept a secret or kept in the dark?
10. The Sword: Reflect on this archetype and make as many connections as you can. I think of the suit of swords in tarot, King Arthur and the sword in the stone, and the phrase “the pen is mightier than the sword”. Swords are connected to the element of air and they represent decisions and things having to do with the mind. So for today’s prompt, let’s reflect on some of the decisions we have made. What are some “bad” decisions you’ve made and why do you think they were bad? What are some decisions that hurt you and/or others? What are some decisions that you regret making? Also, when have you hurt yourself and others with your words?
11. Kairos: This is a Greek word for time, but not just time in general, divine timing and synchronicities. This makes me think of sayings like “everything happens for a reason,” “time heals all wounds” and “just give it time”. What things in your life have happened in maybe just the right time? (hindsight is 2020) And then what things in your life have made you question that there really is anything out there at all because things aren’t working in your timing? If you’re stuck in this mentality, just know that everything happens FOR you and not to you. It’s called divine timing and not ego timing for a reason!
12. The Thread: I think of sewing, a needle and thread, I also think of the fates in Hercules cutting the thread. What do you think of? Make as many connections as you can! This archetype usually refers to fate, destiny, freedom, and being fully alive. When was a time that you felt fully alive? What were you doing? Who were you with? How did it feel? And can you feel that again? And also what would you do if you knew you were supported and had no chance of failure?
13. The Mentor: There are so many connections you can make with this archetype. What does it remind you of? For the prompt, reflect on the advice or life path that your guardians gave you that you no longer follow. Why don’t you follow it? For example, my mom is an Evangelical Christian and I am not. Next, write about your least favorite or most challenging teachers/coaches/professors/etc. Why were they your least favorite? Finally, write about something that you have taught to another person and what are your strengths/weaknesses as a teacher.
14. The Crone: A crone is usually a witch or an old, homely woman. I think of “baba yaga” or the witch from beauty and the beast who turned the prince into the beast. The crone is queen of letting go. So what aren’t you letting go of? She has also risen above the world of duality. So what have you done or said that you believe is “bad” or “wrong” and why do you think that?
15. The Queen: A queen can rule with patience, eloquence, and grace, or she can be self-righteous, vain, and wrathful. I think of the Queen of England, Elsa, the Queen of Hearts from Alice and Wonderland, and the Evil Queen from Snow White. Queens are demanding and don’t settle for less than they deserve for themselves and their kingdoms. When have you settled for less than you deserve? Why did you settle? And when have you done/said something out of vengeance/jealousy? What did you learn from that experience?
16. The Orphan: For this prompt, I opted to add an inner child healing aspect. For this prompt, find a picture of yourself from when you were a child or imagine/visualize the younger version of you. Or you can write a letter to your inner child. Imagine giving them a hug. Tell them it’s going to be okay and that they are safe now. Thank them for helping you get to where you are. Tell them they are loved beyond measure. Say they are strong, brave, and then tell them anything else that you wish someone would have said to you. Say these affirmations with your inner child: I am loved, I am more than enough, I am healed. What is your soul searching for? What is it starving for? Ask your inner child to help you answer that.
17. The Stone: What does this archetype remind you of? In Jewish mourning traditions, stones are actually left at graves instead of flowers. Sit with that for a while and maybe reflect on that. Why do you think they do this? You may choose to look it up if you want to. I wrote down that stones do not die, just like the soul never dies. But flowers do die, just like the body. Stones also weigh things down. What is weighing you down? What is holding you back? People also often call people their rocks. How have you been rock-like (steadfast, loyal, reliable)? And how have you not been rock-like (flaky, disloyal, unreliable)?
18. The Tear: English is difficult and multiple things can be called the same thing, so this archetype is referring to tears as in crying, sadness, and grief. When was the last time you cried and how often do you cry? What are some things that you want to cry about but maybe haven’t let yourself cry about yet? It may be time to allow yourself to release by crying. Find a safe space and let it out!
19. The Venom: I pulled this card on the day of the Full moon in aries, which is a perfect time to release toxicity. What do you think of when you think of this archetype? I think of poison, snakes, spiders, toxicity, and the character from spider-man. So let’s get into the prompt! Has anyone ever described your actions/behaviors as toxic? What were those actions/behaviors and do you agree that they were toxic? Why or why not? What are your most toxic/negative traits or what are some of the most toxic things you’ve said? Why do you think they’re toxic?
20. The Mother: A mother has both light and dark aspects. She nurtures, but she can also prohibit you from growing. She creates but restricts, gives but clings. What is your relationship like with your mother and other feminine authorities? If you are a mother, what do you think are your strengths and weaknesses? If you’re not a mom, what is your opinion of what a “good mother” is or how would you like to be as a mother in the future? Also write about anytime you have ever judged a mother. Oftentimes when we make a judgment about someone else, we are judging something in ourselves. Can you pinpoint what that mother triggered in you and what you are judging in yourself?
21. The Empty Room: Empty rooms can make us feel unsettled or uncomfortable. When I first move, it always unsettles me to see how bare everything is without my personality in it and I get impatient. When are you the most impatient? What tests your patience? Oftentimes we try to fill voids and empty spaces because they make us feel uncomfortable. When you feel this emptiness inside, what do you fill it with? If you had a blank canvas or an empty room, what would you fill it with and what do you think that says about you?