You think you’ve done your Shadow Work, but you’re neglecting the final and most important stage of shadow integration: ritualisation.
At this stage in your psychological healing, it’s starting to seem like you genuinely understand what's going on inside your psyche - you’ve read the books, interpreted the dreams, and perhaps made some promises to some of your shadow parts in a particularly profound journaling exercise or active imagination?
Carl Jung would be proud.
You entered the unconscious, and subsequently made it conscious - so now your shadow work is done, the darkness is the light, right?
No, and here’s why:
- It’s not enough to simply identify your Shadow Behaviours.
- It’s not enough to simply speak with your Shadow Entities.
- It’s not enough to simply explore a Shadow Territory on the mental level.
I hesitate to write this post because I’m aware that it might be seen as rude or dismissive, but I feel called to call you higher as I’m reflecting on how my students have been progressing through The Shadow Work Library course and curriculum.
The discussion keeps coming up:
“Jordan. I found another shadow, now what?”
Ritualising your Shadow Work into your everyday life is the most critical yet often forgotten stage of shadow integration.
You need to prove to your parts that you’ve heard them, that you’re willing to make the changes, and that you’re committed to keeping communication open - this means continual action, not a standalone encounter with your journal or imagination.
Shadow rituals don’t have to be a crazy crystal ceremony or quitting your job in-front of a pile of burning clothes.
Simple, consistent rituals are more anchoring than bold proclamations if you’re interested in long-lasting shadow integration.
When my coaching students share their shadow rituals, they generally talk about things like slowing down when walking in nature, saying grace before eating or creating focused time for creative projects.
“But Jordan, isn’t that just being mindful? “
No. Ritualisation adds intention to mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the paper, intention is the ink.
Ritualisation is honouring the ongoing work and attention you want to give to all of your parts and shadows.
Here are a few ritual examples:
- Playing on the swings at the park for your inner child.
- Putting on a button shirt and trousers even though you’re working from home to help your inner entrepreneur feel represented.
- Throwing away the half-full jar of nutella as a symbolic reinforcement of your new self-respecting eating habits… and not buying another.
- Buying a small statue or figurine to display on your desk for the inner warrior who wants to fight and win.
- Pulling angry or disgusted faces in the mirror for three minutes before you head out into the world to be presentable.
Shadow rituals demand intention into action.
Whatever you do this week, please anchor your psychological work into material reality with small, consistent rituals and gestures.
More below,
Jordan
P.S. Struggling to think of what your next transformational shadow rituals might look like? You don’t need to do it alone. My 115 students are sharing their collective wisdom inside our private community every week. Tap the link in the comments to get involved.
Jordan Thornton - Inner Work
You think you’ve done your Shadow Work, but you’re neglecting the final and most important stage of shadow integration: ritualisation.
At this stage in your psychological healing, it’s starting to seem like you genuinely understand what's going on inside your psyche - you’ve read the books, interpreted the dreams, and perhaps made some promises to some of your shadow parts in a particularly profound journaling exercise or active imagination?
Carl Jung would be proud.
You entered the unconscious, and subsequently made it conscious - so now your shadow work is done, the darkness is the light, right?
No, and here’s why:
- It’s not enough to simply identify your Shadow Behaviours.
- It’s not enough to simply speak with your Shadow Entities.
- It’s not enough to simply explore a Shadow Territory on the mental level.
I hesitate to write this post because I’m aware that it might be seen as rude or dismissive, but I feel called to call you higher as I’m reflecting on how my students have been progressing through The Shadow Work Library course and curriculum.
The discussion keeps coming up:
“Jordan. I found another shadow, now what?”
Ritualising your Shadow Work into your everyday life is the most critical yet often forgotten stage of shadow integration.
You need to prove to your parts that you’ve heard them, that you’re willing to make the changes, and that you’re committed to keeping communication open - this means continual action, not a standalone encounter with your journal or imagination.
Shadow rituals don’t have to be a crazy crystal ceremony or quitting your job in-front of a pile of burning clothes.
Simple, consistent rituals are more anchoring than bold proclamations if you’re interested in long-lasting shadow integration.
When my coaching students share their shadow rituals, they generally talk about things like slowing down when walking in nature, saying grace before eating or creating focused time for creative projects.
“But Jordan, isn’t that just being mindful? “
No. Ritualisation adds intention to mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the paper, intention is the ink.
Ritualisation is honouring the ongoing work and attention you want to give to all of your parts and shadows.
Here are a few ritual examples:
- Playing on the swings at the park for your inner child.
- Putting on a button shirt and trousers even though you’re working from home to help your inner entrepreneur feel represented.
- Throwing away the half-full jar of nutella as a symbolic reinforcement of your new self-respecting eating habits… and not buying another.
- Buying a small statue or figurine to display on your desk for the inner warrior who wants to fight and win.
- Pulling angry or disgusted faces in the mirror for three minutes before you head out into the world to be presentable.
Shadow rituals demand intention into action.
Whatever you do this week, please anchor your psychological work into material reality with small, consistent rituals and gestures.
More below,
Jordan
P.S. Struggling to think of what your next transformational shadow rituals might look like? You don’t need to do it alone. My 115 students are sharing their collective wisdom inside our private community every week. Tap the link in the comments to get involved.
15 hours ago (edited) | [YT] | 150