Shadow Work and the Forgotten Power of Death and Rebirth: Reclaiming What We Were Taught to Fear

As we transition from the powerful energies of the Full Moon in Pisces and the Equinox, we move into the New Moon and a Partial Solar Eclipse on October 2nd—a time ripe for transformation. These celestial alignments offer a profound opportunity to reconnect with an ancient cycle that modern society has largely abandoned: the cycle of death and rebirth.

In a world ruled by patriarchal structures, we’ve lost touch with the sacredness of darkness, the power of letting go, and the necessary cycle of destruction before renewal. We’ve been taught to fear our shadows and avoid the parts of ourselves that feel too intense, too powerful, or too different. But these hidden aspects of ourselves hold the key to our spiritual growth, wisdom, and healing. Shadow work is the path that allows us to reclaim the parts of ourselves we were taught to suppress.

Patriarchal Suppression and the Fear of Darkness

For thousands of years, patriarchal systems have suppressed the power of the divine feminine. This suppression has been particularly focused on the feminine’s connection to the shadow and the death-rebirth cycle—essential components of personal and spiritual evolution. In ancient cultures, the feminine was honored for its ability to transform, to hold both light and darkness, and to guide others through the sacred process of letting go in order to make space for rebirth.

Under patriarchal rule, however, this sacred process has been demonized. We’ve been taught that darkness and the shadow are dangerous, things to be feared or hidden. As a result, we now resist the natural cycles of life and death, holding onto outdated versions of ourselves out of fear, rather than allowing ourselves to be reborn into something new. We’ve forgotten that destruction is an essential part of creation.

Shadows as Powerful, Not Just Painful

Many of us think of the shadow as a repository for pain, trauma, and negative experiences, and while that’s true, it’s not the whole picture. The shadow also holds many powerful parts of ourselves that we’ve been conditioned to fear. These are often aspects of ourselves that patriarchal systems have deemed "too much," "too intense," or "too different" to be acceptable in society.

For women, especially, this has included qualities like deep intuition, sensuality, wild creativity, and emotional power. These parts of ourselves, which were once revered in ancient feminine spiritual traditions, have been labeled dangerous and suppressed for generations. Shadow work isn’t just about confronting painful memories or trauma—it’s also about reclaiming these powerful aspects of our being that we were taught to fear.

Shadow Work and the Forgotten Power of Death and Rebirth

In ancient and shamanic cultures, the cycle of death and rebirth was not just a natural part of life, but a sacred process. Shamans and priestesses would guide individuals through rituals of letting go—whether it was releasing old emotions, outdated beliefs, or past identities—so that they could be reborn into a more authentic and empowered version of themselves.

This process is mirrored in the myth of Inanna, the ancient Sumerian Goddess who descended into the underworld to face her shadow self, only to emerge reborn and transformed. The journey into the shadow—the dark, the unknown, the parts of ourselves that we’ve rejected—is a necessary step toward spiritual growth and wholeness.

In today’s world, we resist this cycle. We fear the destruction that comes with letting go of who we used to be, clinging to old identities and patterns that no longer serve us. But the truth is, we cannot grow without letting something die. The Full Moon in Pisces may have brought old emotions and shadows to the surface, reminding us of the things we’ve suppressed, but the upcoming New Moon and Solar Eclipse invite us to finally let them go.

The Role of Shadow Work in Reclaiming Our Wholeness

Shadow work is the practice of reclaiming the parts of ourselves that we’ve hidden away—both the painful memories and the powerful qualities we were taught to fear. It involves confronting the emotions, beliefs, and experiences we’ve tucked into the corners of our unconscious and integrating them into our present-day lives.

1. Confronting the Suppression of Power:
   Patriarchal systems have taught us to fear our power, especially the kind of power that comes from deep emotional intelligence, intuition, and the divine feminine. Through shadow work, we can begin to reclaim these powerful aspects of ourselves, recognizing that they are sources of wisdom and strength, not danger.

2. Letting Go of Outdated Identities:
   Shadow work requires us to let go of the versions of ourselves that were created out of fear or the need to conform. These outdated identities may have kept us safe in the past, but they no longer serve who we are becoming. By releasing them, we make room for a new, more aligned version of ourselves to emerge.

3. Embracing the Cycle of Death and Rebirth:
   Shadow work teaches us that death is not something to fear. Whether it’s the death of an old pattern, a limiting belief, or a version of ourselves, the act of letting go is an integral part of our spiritual journey. Just as the seasons shift and the moon cycles through phases of darkness and light, we too must honor the cycles of life, death, and rebirth within ourselves.

The New Moon and Solar Eclipse: A Time for Shadow Integration

The upcoming New Moon and Partial Solar Eclipse are powerful moments for engaging in shadow work. The New Moon represents a time for introspection, release, and setting new intentions. The Solar Eclipse intensifies this energy, offering a unique portal for transformation.

As you prepare for this time, reflect on these questions:

• What parts of yourself have you hidden because they felt too powerful or “too much”?
• What old beliefs or patterns are you ready to release?
• What version of yourself is asking to be reborn?

This is the perfect time to reclaim your shadow, release what no longer serves you, and integrate the powerful aspects of yourself that have been suppressed. Shadow work allows you to become whole, embracing both the light and the dark within.

Shadow Work in the Ancient Feminine Mystery School

Throughout October, inside the Ancient Feminine Mystery School (AFMS), we will be diving deep into the practice of shadow work. Through guided rituals, shamanic journeys, and lunar practices, we will reclaim the parts of ourselves that have been suppressed for too long—both the painful and the powerful. This is a space to safely explore the shadows and experience the healing and transformation that comes with integration.

💫 Are you ready to reclaim your shadow? Join us inside the AFMS this October and begin your journey of spiritual transformation. Comment "Awaken" below to learn more.

In Closing

The fear of darkness and the suppression of our shadow selves are the direct results of patriarchal conditioning, which has taught us to fear our own power and shy away from transformation. But now is the time to reclaim that power. By embracing the cycle of death and rebirth, and through the practice of shadow work, we can return to wholeness, stepping fully into our spiritual path.

Let the upcoming New Moon and Solar Eclipse be your guide as you begin this sacred work. Shadow work is not just about healing—it’s about remembering the parts of yourself that are powerful beyond measure.