Episode 1: Welcome To Your Shadow

Hex This Podcast is safe space where healing is raw, magic is real and transformation happens in the dark. Because being whole means embracing every part of who you are. This week we delve into the underworld of the self - the shadow. But don't worry I brought a flashlight. 

Before we dive deep, let's do a victory lap - a weekly ritual where we take a moment to celebrate ourselves and our accomplishments. Victory laps are an important moment to set strong intentions and to get in the habit of patting ourselves on the back because shadow work is can be challenging. 

Victory laps don't have to be huge or life altering. If all you did this week was keep your shit together - that deserves celebrating. Email your victory laps to lunajune@hexthispodcast.com and I'll read them out in the next episode.

In this episode we explored:

• What shadow is 
• What shadow work looks like
• Myths around shadow work 
• Life changing benefits of doing shadow work

Journal Prompt:

In this episode I invite you to pause and reflect. Shadow work starts with awareness—and awareness starts with asking the right questions.

Go ahead and open up that journal or just sit quietly for a moment and try to answer the following question. There's no timer - take as much or as little time as you need. Let yourself answer honestly, without judgment. This isn't about fixing or labelling anything. It's about noticing. Naming. Bringing it into the light. Are you ready?

What parts of myself have I learned to hide in order to feel accepted, loved, or safe?

Deep dive exercise:

This is a simple but powerful exercise designed to gently introduce self-awareness by observing recurring patterns.

Here's how it works:

Make a list of 3-5 recurring emotional themes or situations in your life where you feel stuck, reactive, or uncomfortable. These could be things like:

• "I always feel left out in groups."
  

• "I constantly doubt myself at work."
  

• "I shut down when people disagree with me."
  

For each pattern, ask yourself:

• What part of me do I avoid or hide in this situation?

In the next episode, we'll be building on this exercise so try to hold on to it. For now, try to stay present, get curious and just start by observing and noticing. Remember, no judgement or shame. Just awareness.

Here is a worksheet to help you with this exercise:

Building a daily practice:

Remember shadow work isn't just a one-time exercise; it's a continuous journey of self-discovery and integration. To make this practice a foundational part of your daily life, here are a few suggestions:

Continue with Daily Reflection:
Earlier in this episode I set out a simple exercise to help you build self awareness. Maintain consistency by setting aside a few minutes each day to observe and take note of any patterns that are surfacing for you.

 
I also encourage you to doodle - open your journal to a blank page and just allow yourself to write words or doodle illustrations without any goal or theme in mind. This will encourage you to let go of perfection, soften into your practice and release any expectations you've placed on yourself or this process.

Mindful Meditation:
Incorporate mindfulness meditation into your routine. It doesn't have to involve hours of sitting in the lotus position. Meditation can involve eating your favourite dessert and slowly savouring every bite or walking barefoot through grass, feeling every blade tickle your toes. The main purpose of mindful meditation is to take ourselves off auto pilot and be fully present in the moment. During meditation, observe your thoughts without judgment. This awareness can bring hidden aspects of your psyche to the surface, allowing for conscious integration.

Write a personal Affirmations:

Let's dive into this one a little deeper:

If you can, take a moment right now—grab your journal and write down a personal affirmation inspired by your shadow work today. This affirmation should be a positive statement that acknowledges both your shadow and your light; something like:

"I embrace all parts of myself with compassion and courage, and I honour my journey toward wholeness."

Of course, this affirmation is yours to tweak, expand, and personalize. Let it be a reminder that every emotion has a purpose or let it be a statement of your commitment to growing from every experience. Allow it to serve as a daily mantra that grounds you in the present and empowers you to move forward with intention.

As you write it, consider how this affirmation reflects your own unique path of recovery and growth. Maybe include a few words that resonate with your personal truth—maybe something like "I trust the wisdom that flows from within" or "I am whole, even in my complexities."

This is a small, yet powerful tool for reclaiming your power and integrating your shadow in everyday life. Carry it with you, repeat it when you need grounding, and let it remind you that every part of you is valid, valuable, and vital to your journey.

Book Recommendations:

To honour Carl Jung, the pioneer of shadow work, I recommend Modern Man in search of his soul - it's the perfect introduction to his ground breaking themes and concepts. 

By exploring Jung's writings, you're not only honouring the roots of shadow work but also equipping yourself with profound insights into personal growth and self-awareness.

Up Next:

In our upcoming episode, we'll be diving even deeper into the core of our emotional triggers—exploring practical strategies to work with them so you can move through life with greater ease, resilience, and creativity. It's all about turning the insights from your shadow work into everyday empowerment.