Meeting the Shadow

In my dreamtime I found myself in the womb-like holding of Oweynagat, Morrigan’s Cave. This Goddess of death had called me to her lair once again. In fear, I tried to resist as she pulled me deeper into the darkness. I questioned whether the ancient, dripping limestone was going to collapse on top of me. But with a surprising change of heart, I told myself, “If you’re going, go headfirst.” I felt my body shift position as I surrendered to her invitation, and began to dive into the shadows. I then said “Tuck your chin in”, and travelled at lightning speed into the depths of her cave.

From our descent into the darkness comes our liberation. 

We are programmed to see our wounds and suffering as inherently bad, something to be disowned and buried deep in the shadowy cave of our mind. We think that if we don’t see them, don’t listen to them, starve them of oxygen, they will die. But our lack of ownership over these parts of ourselves only feeds them, allowing them to grow in power until we are forced to face them. And when we do, we usually find ourselves being dragged by the hair to meet them. 

There is another option. 

We can call on our strength and choose to dive into the shadows. Headfirst. Chin tucked in. Making an elegant descent to that pearl of wisdom that a part of us always trusts will be waiting for us in the end.

We can choose to find opportunity in our suffering. We can ignite a flame in this cave, meet this wounded part of ourselves and witness in it an invitation to expand our consciousness. 

We can look at this wounded part and the paintings it has made on the cave walls, and offer it awareness. 

We can listen to the stories and songs it has composed in its long hours of isolation, and offer it acceptance. 

We can learn to understand the language and energy of this wounded part, moulded by a primal need for survival, and offer it love. 

Here is where we transform. Here is where this part of you will begin to die, rebirthing into a more healed version of itself. Our wound can be our greatest healer, it can awaken within us a beauty and wisdom that we never knew existed. To quote John O’ Donohue, “This work of beauty is slow and patient; it is the transformation through which the darkness of suffering eventually glimmers with the learned refinement of true radiance.”

Art: Shelly @ talesfromthewood.ie