Do you want to practise witchcraft but don't know where to start? Do you find it all too confusing? Maybe you've been practising for a while and want to go back to basics. Or perhaps you're a seasoned witch and want to explore more ways of practisin...
Below is a list of shadow work prompts. They are sorted into broad categories that you can choose depending on your current goals.
To start, skim through the list and take note of any prompts that elicit any particularly strong emotions (positive or negative), or make you feel particularly uncomfortable. Once you've made a note of all the prompts you want to explore, get yourself into a comfortable and safe space to begin the session. Go to your first prompt, write it in your notebook, and then try your best to answer it. Once you've answered it, move onto the next one. If you need to stop at any time, please do!
Really dig deep, there's a lot of tough prompts and the answers may not be obvious right away. Feel free to work on the same prompt through multiple shadow work sessions if necessary.
⏸ Take breaks whenever necessary. Shadow Work can bring on strong emotions. ⏸
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💭 General Reflection 1. What are the parts of myself I try to hide or avoid? Why do I hide them? 2. What qualities in others trigger strong emotional reactions in me? What do those reactions reveal about me? 3. When was the last time I felt jealousy or envy? What was the underlying reason? 4. What am I most afraid of others discovering about me? 5. What beliefs do I hold about myself that might not be true? Where did those beliefs come from? 6. What do I criticize myself for most often? How can I approach myself with more compassion? 7. When have I judged someone unfairly? What did it reveal about my own insecurities? 8. What do I avoid doing or saying because I fear rejection or judgment? 9. What past experiences have shaped my deepest fears or anxieties? 10. How do I handle conflict? What does my response reveal about my emotional state or upbringing?
👶 Inner Child Exploration 1. What did I need most as a child that I didn't receive? How can I give that to myself now? 2. What were my happiest childhood memories? How can I bring more of that joy into my life today? 3. What were my most painful childhood memories? How do they affect me now? 4. When was the first time I felt unworthy or not good enough? What caused it? 5. How did the adults in my life respond to emotions? How has that shaped the way I handle emotions today? 6. Was I ever told to "be realistic" or to "stop dreaming"? How did that affect my goals and aspirations? 7. What role did I play in my family (e.g., caretaker, peacekeeper, rebel)? How has that role influenced who I am now? 8. What activities or experiences made me feel truly free as a child? How can I reconnect with that sense of freedom?
🎭 Emotional Awareness 1. What emotions do I find the hardest to express? Why? 2. When was the last time I suppressed my emotions instead of addressing them? What was the outcome? 3. How do I handle feelings of anger or frustration? What do I need to learn about these emotions? 4. What emotion do I fear the most? How does that fear impact my decisions? 5. How do I react when someone sets boundaries with me? What does this say about my own boundaries? 6. When have I ignored my intuition? What were the consequences? 7. How do I numb myself or avoid difficult emotions (e.g., through distractions, substances, etc.)? What am I trying to avoid?
