Shadow

Shadow (German Schatten) is an archetype of Carl Jung's analytical psychology: the totality of personality traits repressed from consciousness as unacceptable, shameful or dangerous.

The dark side. The Shadow is the "dark side" of the personality that the ego refuses to acknowledge.

Jung's Words

"Aion", 1951. Jung wrote: "Unfortunately, there can be no doubt that man is, on the whole, less good than he imagines himself or wants to be".

Not Only "the Bad"

Suppressed good. The Shadow contains not only "the bad" — it may also hold suppressed positive qualities (creativity, sexuality, spontaneity) if they were condemned by the environment.

Manifestations of the Shadow

• Projection — ascribing to others one's own rejected traits
• Possession (Besessenheit) — unconsciously "falling into" shadow behavior
• Inflation — identification with the opposite of the Shadow (an idealized self-image)

Working with the Shadow

The first stage of individuation. Work with the Shadow is the first stage of individuation. Without it, further inner work is impossible.

Methods of work:

• Dream analysis (#11)
• Active Imagination (Jung)
• Shadow work in archetypal psychology (#12)