The following quote really appeals to me. Our shadow (dark side or even repressed light side for those of us who identify with the dark) can been deeply unknown to us, we may fear it in both ourselves and others. In this quote from John Sandford, which appears in Robert Johnson’s book Owning Your Own Shadow the power and passion of the shadow is spoken for.
We badly need the energy of our shadow side to be known and integrated so we can live closer to our true centre, from dynamic, fully energised place of expression. As Robert Johnson points repression of our shadow is actually a major cause of depression.
The ego is primarily engaged in its own defence and the furtherance of its own ambitions. Everything that interferes with it must be repressed. The repressed elements… become the shadow Often these are basically positive qualities.
There are, in my view, two “shadows”. (1) the dark side of the ego, which is carefully hidden from itself and which the ego will not acknowledge, unless forced to by life’s difficulties, and (2) that which has been repressed in us lest it interfere with our ego-centricity, and however devilish it may seem, is basically connected to the Self.
In a showdown God (Self) favors the shadow over the ego, for the shadow, with all of its dangerousness, is closer to the centre and more genuine.
Emerging From The Dark Night 
This is awesome. Reminds me of Joseph Campbell…what little I know about psychology I learned from him.
I think the dichotomy within each of us is fascinating
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It really is Shane. I love exploring ideas about the shadow. It never goes away and will always be there. Humanity needs to start accepting this more and more if we really want to wise up.
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This makes me think of the Meyers/Briggs personality types. When we look at the “darker” qualities in our types, it always needs to be remembered that the worst of those qualities (the ones that don’t serve ourselves or others) are minimized in those who’ve evolved from them.
Great post!
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Thanks those also correspond to astrological elements eg fire is earths shadow and vice versa thanks for compliment 😆
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When you say “those correspond….” are you talking about MB?
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Yes i think so. Is that similar to Jungs psychological types? it may not be. Fire is intuitive earth more practical sensation focused. I think MB typology may be more complex than this. My understanding of it is incomplete.
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Thanks for that I will try to check it out when I am not so busy. I appreciate your feedback immensely. Deborah
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