Thinning Veils and Shadow Work: Embracing October's Mystery

October isn't just about pumpkin spice; it is a spiritual gateway. Leading up to Halloween, there is a traditional belief that the veil between the physical world and the spirit world is at its thinnest. This energetic shift invites us to tap into deeper senses: Mystery, Intuition, and Shadow.

1. The Call to Gratitude and Provision

As a primary harvest month, October is deeply imbued with the spirit of gratitude. There is a spiritual duty to acknowledge and appreciate the abundance that has been provided throughout the year before scarcity and cold set in.

• Practice Provisioning: This is the time to build your inner resources. Focus on security and preparation, not just physical storage, but securing your mental and emotional well-being for the challenges of winter.

2. Increased Intuition and Mystery

When the veil thins, our connection to the deeper, unseen truths becomes clearer. Spiritually, this means heightened:

• Intuition: That "gut feeling" becomes louder and more precise.

• Vivid Dreams: Dreams often carry profound messages from your subconscious or ancestors.

• Ancestral Connection: This is an optimal time for practices that honor and connect you to those who came before you.

3. Embracing the Shadow Self

The darker days invite a necessary spiritual journey into the unknown or the "shadow self." Shadow work is the process of exploring, acknowledging, and ultimately integrating the hidden, rejected, or unconscious parts of your personality, known as the Shadow Self.

The goal of shadow work is not to eliminate the negative traits, but to achieve psychological wholeness.

The concept comes from psychiatrist Carl Jung, who defined the Shadow as everything we deny about ourselves. This includes:

1. The "Dark" Side: Negative traits, urges, embarrassments, and societal taboos (anger, jealousy, selfishness).

2. The "Golden" Shadow: Positive traits and potential we are afraid to claim (great creativity, immense power, confidence).

   
   

We hide these aspects of ourselves because they are incompatible with the idealized image we want to present to the world. October is the perfect time to explore:

• Mystery: Allowing yourself to be curious about the parts of your life that remain unexplained.

• Hidden Aspects: Journaling about the emotions you suppress or the traits you deny.

By embracing the shadows within, you illuminate yourself fully and move into the winter with greater wholeness and self-awareness.