On the quest to wisdom, one must be willing to be vulnerable.
Yet the fear of the unknown often stops us dead in our tracks as we can’t control outcomes and can’t prevent pain. You do realize safety is an illusion anyway, right?
You really can't keep yourself from emotional pain.
In order to grow, heal and truly experience joy, you must venture into the shadowlands.
We do not know where we are going, but we know WHY we are going.
If this scares the shit out of you, seek guidance to face the shadows. Raven (crow) is a very powerful ally for this.
What you have hidden from yourself and others will be revealed and you must deal with it.
Let me help you understand what I mean…
We are being brought to the Underworld/Lower World:
In Shamanism, there are 3 worlds that relate to different aspects of consciousness. It is the lower world I will speak of here.
The Lower World or Underworld is the realm of our unconscious… unconscious, meaning, unknown to us. It is here we can heal traumatic wounds, past life influences, and access our not-yet-realized potential.
The Lower World usually appears a lot like our regular world does, yet there appears to be more beauty and mystery here. It is often an “earthly” realm filled with benevolent beings, animals and ancestors that bring us wisdom and healing. My visits here have been beautiful, powerful and comforting, even when the "scary" stuff shows itself.
In the Lower World you descend into the depths of the subconscious, confronting shadow aspects of the self and reclaiming lost soul fragments (known as soul retrieval). You also come here to find your power animal, and garner wisdom from the ancestors. This is often what is referred to as Shadow work.
Shadow Work:
Shadow work is an essential component on the path to self-discovery and growth. It relates to unearthing the hidden aspects of our psyche, the suppressed emotions, traumas, and fears we often bury deep within ourselves. This shadow-self houses our repressed feelings, desires, and past experiences.
It's about bringing to light what has been hidden to understand ourselves better, encompass the divine wisdom which is our birthright (but we must work for) and have a deeper capacity to feel love and experience joy.
It’s a very sacred journey that involves embracing the totality of our experiences, even the painful or challenging parts.
Shamans understand that the parts of ourselves we see as weakness or flaws actually hold immense power.
Ignoring shadow work can have significant consequences!!
When we deny or suppress parts of our psyche, these elements strengthen and influence our behavior without our realizing it or understanding why.
Ever found yourself being reactive only to be disgusted with yourself after?
Keep engaging in self-sabotage?
Or find yourself drawn to harmful situations or relationships over and over?
This is because we have shadows hidden in our proverbial closets.
Eventually this can lead to a fragmented sense of self and emotional pain. Spiritually, it ends up costing us our connection to Source/God.
Integrating our shadow can lead to a more profound understanding of ourselves, greater compassion towards others, and a more balanced life.
When we fail to engage in shadow work, we risk becoming trapped by the ego and all the bullshit it tells us. We become trapped in our stories and unconscious patterns and behaviors.
Does this work scare you? It should.
But not doing it should scare you more.
Call on the medicine of the Raven to help you navigate the shadows within your heart.
Seek out a therapist, a guide or a healer.
The Medicine of the Raven:
Since I was very little, I have been fascinated by these birds. In my teens I believed they were somehow connected with the dead, and carrying their souls to heaven.
In American Indian medicine tradition, it is believed that light comes out of darkness. What lies in our shadows is where our true power lies.
The Raven and its beautiful color black is not “evil”… it is associated with the Void, or the Womb of Creation (also known as the Great Mystery)…the source of all energy. Raven serves as the messenger of Source Creator.
Have you been seeing them recently?? Raven (crow) heralds the need to make dramatic changes in our attitudes and in the way we perceive things. And life is walking us down the path to make sure this occurs. We have lived out of harmony with our planet and each other long enough!!
Raven is the guardian of Ceremonial Magic and healing absentia. It is the being that carries the “message” or intention of the ceremony of Healing to Source.
Raven magic is a powerful medicine. She grants you the courage to enter the darkness of the Void to heal those things you didn’t know were there. She carries the intention of the healing to Source.
We are about to experience a change in consciousness. Raven guides the magic of healing and the change in consciousness that will bring about a new reality.
Bare your soul.
Face your fears.
Allow the journey to unfold. Fighting it will cost you.
With Love and Light along the Journey,
Sincerely,
Rebecca Costello, Psychic Medium.
Dancing Elk Shamanic Healing
Comments