The topic of the shadow has been shunned in the Pagan revolution. This could just be that it was overlooked. Yet it is something that every Pagan should be aware of. If one wants to be in full controll of oneself then one must be in alliance with the shadow self. It may stop you from achieving the high Pagan moral standards that our ancestors followed. If you chose to follow these, and you really should as they're only for your own good, then it would be very helpfull to have a seperate part of yourself (that's what the shadow self is) help you in your quest rather than just feeding you it's usual immoral material.
The shadow self is an independent part of you. It succedes where you fail (not to say that you can't succede where it fails, but for a shadow self to fail is a rare occurence). This ability has given way to the misconception that the shadow self wants you to fail. This is not allways true. Even though it often times does (since it may envy you or hate you) this is not allways the case. The shadow self just wants to take over you with whatever method it sees fit (occasionally it is through your failure). Though it may make you succed in order for it to take controll. If your carrear makes you be an immoral person, where you don't think twice about lieng (even to your own mother) then the shadow self is well at work to keep you in that job. If your life is being a porno junky then it will keep you lazy and scepticle of jobs or changes that would get you to be a better person. Being aware of this is the first step to improving yourself.
Denial makes the shadow self grow. If you shy away from the thought of their being a part of you so discusting that the Christian "devil" seems like a nice guy, then the shadow self will grow. You must learn to grow up and deal with this discusting feeling so that you may improve yourself and prevent it from taking controll of even the smallest part of your life. You must acknowledge this and then be on the lookout for when you are doing immoral, cruel, or discusting things. It all comes from the shadow self, however, some are just reactions to situations that you allowed the shadow self to reveal (not that it is good because you have an excuse). Train yourself to acknowledge when you are being misguided by the shadow self and stop yourself then say to yourself "I will not submit to my shadow self, I will do the right thing right now". If you did something bad to someone you must appologise to them even if your shadow self is responsible (it is a part of YOU even though it has it's independence).
However it is not allways good to hate your shadow self. It may have a few possitive aspects. If you are one of those people who would agree to anything, who are overgenerous (which is immoral) or just to nice, then the shadow self may help you change to be more skepticle, more concious of your generosity, or harder on those who are too hard on you.
ONLY FOR SHAMANS
There is a way to meet the shadow self if you are a shaman. I am reluctantly giving the formula for it in here. Note that this is only for advanced Shamans. I will illustrate certain precations that MUST be taken before you attempt to meet the shadow self. Note: that regardless how good you are or think that you are you must take these precations.
1) You MUST consult with your animal guides, or spirit helpers, or protectors. Note: this is in plural, you should have several of them. If you have only a animal guide then you should seek others, if you know an angel ask for its assistance, if you have an ancestor which you contacted then by all means use all that you have. however you must have a lot of force behind you. In the way that you met your first animal guide so you may meet your others (yes everyone has multiple animal guides, there is perhaps no limit on how many you may have), unless you are not ready to meet your next one, then you must hold off on this quest.
2) After you gather your forces you must ask them to teach you all of the important lessons that may be helpfull to you. For example a primitive knowledge on how to use a sword on a magical battle (on the astrall plain of coarse), or how to use certain other tricks, illusions and weapons. These mey come in handy if you master them.
3)You must have a means of purifieng yourself. This may be a feather that you have endowed with the energy to clean (as feathers are extremely good at cleaning things) or a stone that you use to take out all of your negetive energies and thoughts. If you lack one of these then I suggest that you get one and get well aquanted with it.
4) after you have made all of these preperations then you are ready to start the search for you shadow self. It is a good Idea to start with sanctifieng your site. You may choose a circle or you may just cast the hammer of thor in all of the cardinal directions. You must then make the affirmation for your jouney, and out loud! this would be like yelling out "I Seek My Shadow Self!" If you are of the norse faith then you may wish to make a boast (like the ones at Symbel) before going after your Shadow self. Have all of you tools (swords, atheme, etc.) at hand.
5)You can now enter into your shamanic trance. Note: you probably won't find your shadow self on your first try. you may have to make several journeys in search of your shadow self. The time you spend looking for it may vary per person or per journey. Going all night in search of your shadow self may be common. Or you may just spend five minutes and then be told by your guides to come back on another day. However do not give up for that may mean victory for your shadow self.
6)when you find it any number of things may happen. You may be involved in a fight, a game (even a chess match isn't unlikely) a puzzle or riddle, etc. However do not give up for your life (litteraly). If the shadow self wins you may see very evident and painful consequences. That is why you must take all of these precations before meeting with your shadow self. If you win then you are to dictate the terms of its surrender.
7)to give them their terms is a tricky thing. They will most likely not obey it unless you thuroughlt enforce it. They will test your resolve on every turn they get. The terms should be to your advantage, don't take what they suggest as they are not neccesarlily your friends. That may be one of the terms of their surrender (to be your friend). I found that this is perhaps the best solution to a long fued you may have to later go through. Now is when you may say "You will never make me steel" or "you will never tempt me to be cruel" etc. Just be sure to enforce your terms.
If you have any information that you feel I may put in here please write me a little Schpeal about it.
sir_bienkowski@geocities.com
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