Drums and Rattles.

Shadow 

Emma Vanstone writes on her blog page where she shows you how to make and play with shadows that shadows are formed when light hits an object it cannot travel through.

I don’t discuss the concept of “shadow” very often.  Actually I don’t think I have ever written about it.  Honestly, I tend to be a happy-go-lucky person who keeps her eye on the positive rather than the negative.  Light definitely moves through me mainly because I choose for it to move through me.  I’m a solution-driven person who looks at challenges and crisis as an opportunity to work at letting light move through me. I guess you could say “I believe in heroes and super powers”.  

Looking back at the last few years and the events of 2023, I have to admit that the world is struggling with shadows.  They surround us globally but also at smaller levels like within our communities, our families, our couple relationships and even within ourselves, within our  personal dimension.  It seems like we are being called to develop the skill to allow light to move through us.

Shadow as defined by the Webster dictionary is a dark area or shape produced by a body coming between rays of light and a surface.  As a child from the ‘60’s I remember often playing with shadows on the wall.  It was a game parents often played with children.  Keep in mind that at that time, we didn’t have cell phones, computers or many tv channels.  It sounds strange to admit but these simple experiences shaped us in ways that we couldn’t imagine.  It certainly allowed me to better understand “shadows”.  I developed a sensitivity to them; which allowed me to understand that some shadows are protection, others are detrimental, and many fester imbalances.  By comprehending these nuances I was able to make conscious choices towards how to approach “shadows” in my life.

In Shamanism, “shadows” are referred to as independent entities. We create them with the help of attitudes, intentions, attributes and choices.  What makes us a “being” also gives us the ability to create light, shadow and darkness.  We all struggle with these different dimensions of the self; which basically defines us as entities connected to nature and the stars.  People often approach me with similar challenges.  One common hardship is self-judgement as well as self-abuse or self-persecution.  We all hide fears, insecurities, and a lack of self esteem.  I believe we are all born with this reality.  Stepping out of it seems part of the journey and certainly demands work or discipline. 

Part of eliminating detrimental shadows implies acknowledging their existence.  In 2019 at the start of the pandemic there were many protests showing how people around the World were ready to condone systematic racism, sexism, and prejudice.  The idea of having “rights” and wanting to protect them was an experience everyone explored from varied perspectives.  It triggered the notion of “unresolved”.  Shadows definitely appear throughout dysfunctional and unresolved relationships.  Once we admit that shadows are born out of our own ignorance, lack of skill or understanding of others, we can begin to see ways to find our way into the light.

In many ways, I believe that the rise in panic, anxiety, fear and depression in recent years is due to this awareness of shadow.  Admitting its existence is a first step into the process of walking towards the light.  It demands courage and action to transform negative attitudes and attributes. In any case, shadow brings us to take note of ourselves and consciously make choices towards change.

There are so many different ways to explore shadow.  My upbringing certainly emphasized that playfulness can be an efficient way to learn about shadow and even face it.  When you are trying to enjoy a hot, sunny Summer day shadow can be a welcomed sight.  My favourite spot at the cottage is always where the hammock hangs in the shade.  Toddlers tend to have been born with an innate sense of the positive value of shadow.  During a thunder storm they will always hide under the blankets or under the bed where darkness keeps them from seeing lightning.  I think it’s important to realize that as much as shadow can be negative, it can also be positive.  As long as we have strong reference of the latter we can survive and even strive when submerged in its polarity.

As an artist, the shadows always reveal more of the 3D dimension.  They point to those parts of us we often forget.  You could say that “shadow” serves as the “devil’s advocate”; which implies that it reveals those perspectives we overlook.  What I personally like about shadow is that it protects my sense of will.  It reveals all parts of me and demands that I chose the next step of my journey with a sense of wholeness.  Of course, it takes strength, and confidence to interact with shadow in this way.  You need to be ready to face shadow or else it will slowly eat you up…..

What does it mean to be ready to face shadow?  

It means reminding one’s self that shadow and light are siblings.  They are of the same family.  They are loved ones.  Not unlike us, they seek to be together.  In other words, we are all made of light and shadow.  The idea is to know of their existence within us and not to take them too seriously. If we find ourself stuck in shadow then, simply ask the light for assistance.