9 Crystals For Shadow Work, Healing & Integration

What Is Shadow Work?

Shadow work is a term used in psychology and personal development. In recent years you hear it mentioned a lot in the spiritual community. But what does it mean? We all have a shadow self, the side of us that we are not fully conscious of. Despite this, it has a big impact on our personalities and life. Our shadow contains the parts of us we don’t want to see or deal with.

It usually originates from our childhood (and teens) where our personality was still forming. Usually, we have a bad experience that causes us to limit ourselves, repress a part of our persona or carry fear or a false belief with us. If you want to know more about the origins of the shadow self I recommend the following article by Mind Body Green – What Is Shadow Work?

Doing The Work

You are probably already aware of limiting beliefs, old stories you tell yourself that hold you back. This usually causes some kind of pattern of behaviour. Perhaps like many of us, you experienced bullying and that has had an impact on your self-confidence?

Doing shadow work does involve self-analysis and confronting some uncomfortable memories. It’s not for everyone and you need to be ready to do this kind of inner work.

Through recognising where these fears or self-limiting beliefs about yourself come from you can begin the process of healing them. This allows you to see how the event made you believe something that wasn’t true about yourself. This allows you to free yourself.

“Shadow work isn’t quick or easy self-development work. You may have to speak to a mental health professional, especially if you have gone through any kind of trauma or suffer from mental health conditions”

Shadow Integration Vs Shadow Enabling

This is just something I have noticed and not everyone will agree with me. The term shadow integration is used a lot. What this means is seeing and dealing with the shadow aspects of your personality. Recognising the untruth or pattern of behaviour so you can learn from it, overcome it and become stronger from it. You are often unlearning things that are holding you back from your highest potential.

I see some people think integration means allowing toxic and harmful behaviour to continue. It’s like they believe the shadow is who they are, completely missing the ‘work’ part of the shadow work. This could be potentially dangerous and keep you stuck in the cycle, never really making any progress.

To me, the goal of shadow work is to learn from the past and break the chain of self-limiting beliefs. You are recognising something inside you that isn’t true and needs healing.

“Shadow work is like inner alchemy, you want to turn that lead you found into gold”

Working With Crystals For Shadow Work

You can work with crystals for shadow work. Crystals support the process by helping you identify harmful patterns, locate the source and begin healing. They can also clear negative energy around the issue and as it comes up. Crystals won’t do the shadow work for you but they can support you on your healing journey.

As always, please read the info about each crystal below. See which ones you are most drawn to. You can carry, wear, meditate with these crystals. Go easy, self-healing is not a race. If you feel uncomfortable, stop, take a break from it.

9 Crystals For Shadow Work

SMOKY QUARTZ

This is probably the most easy-to-find crystal for your shadow work needs. Smoky Quartz is cleansing, clearing negative energy caused by negative thinking and challenging emotions. This earthy crystal is useful in managing fears as they come up. Smoky Quartz helps balance emotions and encourages self-acceptance.

BLACK OBSIDIAN

Pitch Black Obsidian is known for its ability to absorb negativity. This form of Obsidian helps reveal the source of your shadow wounds and supports you in facing your fears. Working with this stone brings out your inner warrior and helps you cut etheric cords to harmful situations or people from your past.

TIP: If you find this too strong for you then you could try Apache Tear, Snowflake Obsidian or Rainbow Obsidian.

PRESELI BLUESTONE

This British stone brings the inner strength and the determination you need to overcome inner obstacles. Preseli Bluestone is a wonderful healing stone that also supports facing your fears and confronting your shadow aspects.

DANBURITE

This isn’t a crystal that most will think of when they think of doing shadow work. I recommend it here because it teaches you not to overidentify with your shadow side. Danburite is cleansing and shifts you out of a lower vibration. It is a good one to use after doing the shadow work. Danburite can help you align yourself with your higher purpose.

BLACK MOONSTONE

This black and dark brown form of Moonstone clears negative energy. Black Moonstone helps in healing the emotional body, healing your emotions. This dark lunar crystal helps with feelings of hopelessness too. If you can’t find it you can use grey Moonstone.

SMOKY LEMURIAN SEED CRYSTAL

These are also known as Smoky Lemurian Quartz or Lemurian Shadow Healers. These may not be easy to find but they are a powerful crystal for shadow work. Smoky Lemurian Seeds detoxify your aura and help heal your emotions. They can shine a light on the root cause of the shadow issue and assist you in working through your fears.

HEALER’S GOLD

This gemstone is also known as Apache Gold. I’ve always found Healer’s Gold to be an excellent crystal for personal transformation. This beautiful black and gold stone guides you through inner or outer changes in life. Healer’s Gold increases faith and hope and can even support you through a dark night of the soul.

LARVIKITE

This gemstone is also known as Norwegian Moonstone or Norwegian Black Moonstone though it is not the same as Black Moonstone. Larvikite encourages self-reflection and all inner work. It points you in the right direction by turning inwards to discover the shadow aspects of yourself that need healing.

SHADOW LEMURIAN JADE

This is the sister stone to Midnight Lemurian Jade (black). Shadow Lemurian Jade helps reveal your blocks and fears. This healing grey gemstone can guide you through all aspects of personal transformation.

BONUS CRYSTAL: ROSE QUARTZ

Before we reach the end of this post, I thought I would add an extra crystal for you to consider. Rose Quartz is a good companion crystal to pair with any of the above crystals for shadow work. Its energy is soothing and supports self-love and self-care. Its message is to be gentle with yourself and to be kind to yourself. It’s also good to use after doing any kind of shadow work.

More About Shadow Work Practices

If you’re new to shadow work and need more guidance on specific practices please do more research first. There are some good shadow work tips and practices in plain English in the following article by Mind Body Green – What Is Shadow Work?

Have you done any shadow work before and how has it helped you? I would love to hear from you in the comments below (PLEASE keep any questions you have concise and stick to this blog post topic if you want a response).

If you are looking for other information please use the search box or visit my FREE Resources page to see if it’s already been covered elsewhere.

With gratitude,

Ethan

www.ethanlazzerini.com

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Copyright © Ethan Lazzerini – Not to be used or appear elsewhere without permission from the author Ethan Lazzerini.