Continuing our journey with the Archetypes in Tarot, we are now going to look at the archetype of The Shadow, which is said to be that part of our unconscious mind that includes our repressed desires, weaknesses, shortcomings and instincts.

Lets look at how the Shadow archetype manifests across the different spheres of our life, and of course, the images of the Tarot cards.

The Shadow is, perhaps, one of the most interesting Archetypes in Tarot. We confront this archetype in almost all aspects of our everyday life. From our everyday villains in movies and books to our own inner desires that can be construed as ‘negative’, the shadow is an inherent part of our life. A very common example is the story of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, written by R. L. Stevenson, where Mr. Hyde can be said to be the embodiment of the Shadow aspect of Dr. Jekyll.

The Shadow

According to Carl Jung, every person has a shadow. And the less it is embodied into an individual’s conscious life, the blacker and denser it is. Jung also believed that “in spite of its function as a reservoir for human darkness – or perhaps because of this – the shadow is the seat of creativity.” [Source: Wikipedia page about ‘The Shadow’.]

If we look at the different definitions of The Shadow, we come to realize that the Shadow comprises of all those things (instincts, desires, characteristics) that are present within us, but which are not considered to be ‘positive’ and ‘acceptable’.

Possibly, it is because these so-called ‘negative’ aspects are not truly welcomed, that they bring about the hidden nature of these characteristics.

Symbols of the Shadow

The Shadow, often encountered by people in their dreams, can appear as someone or something that is bad or fearsome. It can also appear as a person who has darker features. Jung also states that the Shadow typically appears as a person of the same sex as the dreamer. As such, the Shadow is the representation of the primitive and indiscriminate aspect of the unconscious mind. Some Jungians also state that apart from the Personal Shadow, the Shadow can also contain the Shadow aspect of the Society that has been experienced by the individual.

The Shadow And Projection

When not dreaming, the Shadow is easily expressed in Projection. This is where the individual turns a personal inferiority into a perceived moral deficiency in someone else.

This is a very common way in which the Shadow aspect of one’s personality is often discovered, and expressed. Individuals, rather than accepting the so-called ‘negative’ aspects of their own personality, point towards another individual and show how that person contains those ‘negative’ traits prominently.

I suppose, we all have been ‘guilty’ of this kind of behavior at some time or the other in our lives. 🙂

The Function and Purpose of The Shadow

There is a very important function and purpose of the Shadow within our lives. As such, even via Projection, the Shadow provides us with a way to express the unwanted unconscious impulses and reduce our anxiety.

But on a deeper level, the Shadow is a very interesting way to getting to know oneself on a very intimate level. Interacting with the Shadow can often reveal hidden desires that may often conflict with our everyday expression of our self. We might not like what we see when we look at our Shadow, but confronting our ‘negative’ aspects and reincorporating this hidden aspect of the unconscious within the conscious mind can help create a stronger, wider consciousness than before.

However, this process isn’t as easy as it sounds. According to Jung, it might take “one, three, seven years, more or less,” and there is a constant danger of “the shadow taking over”.

However, once the process of accepting and integrating one’s Shadow aspect are underway, it becomes easier to see oneself in a different light, accept the ‘negative’ aspects of oneself, and even use those aspects in a ‘positive’ and ‘acceptable’ manner to achieve happiness and success in the world. Even in the inner world, this integration with the Shadow can help one find balance. One can then get to know one’s unconscious mind better, and find a way to become a better person, both inside and outside.

Tarot Cards – The Archetype of The Shadow

Within the Tarot cards, the Archetype of the Shadow has been very elegantly expressed. In some cards it has been hinted at, and in some we come face to face with the Shadow in all its glory.

The Shadow and Reversed Cards

Before we look at the Shadow aspect expressed in certain Major Arcana cards, we need to look at the very common expression of the Shadow aspect that can be applicable for each and every card: the Reversed cards.

The reversed cards are a very interesting example, where their reversed nature by itself can be an indication of the Shadow aspect of that card’s story. The concept of Enantiodromia can very easily explain this. According to Carl Jung, Enantiodromia occurs when the superabundance of a force inevitably produces its opposite.

In life itself, opposites are present everywhere. And in the Tarot, the reversed card typically depicts the opposite of what the upright card has to say.

The Shadow is the complete opposite of the ‘positive’ and ‘acceptable’ aspects of the individual’s personality. Thus, in a reading, the reversed cards can also often depict this shadow aspect of a situation depicted in the picture.

The High Priestess and The Chariot – Shadow Acknowledged

I believe that in the images of the High Priestess and the Chariot, the Shadow aspect is given a certain level of acknowledgement. We see the artists tip of the hat to the Shadow in the black and white pillars of the High Priestess, and the black and white Sphinxes of the Chariot.

In the picture of the High Priestess, we see the lady sitting between these two opposite colored pillars. Even behind her, she has a veil to hide the ocean of unconscious mind. By this, we can even say that she may not have really integrated the two opposing aspects, but she certainly has gathered together all the ingredients that make up the recipe and is waiting to start the cookin’.

Looking at the picture of the Sphinxes in the Chariot card, we might be able to conclude that the driver of the Chariot has managed to control and rein in both these opposing aspects of his personality. The fact that these Sphinxes are going to pull his chariot for him tells us that he is now using the power of these personality aspects to drive his life forward.

The Hanged Man – The Shadow Encountered

Although the Shadow might have been known and even utilized for a creative purpose in the previous cards, it is in the Hanged Man card, that I believe the Shadow is completely encountered.

In this picture we see the man hanging totally upside down. Just by looking at the picture, we can easily invoke the definitions of the Shadow, and the concept of Enantiodromia. Plus, we cannot ignore the fact that he has this interesting halo around his head. What has he seen while hanging upside down that gives him so much knowledge? Could it be his Shadow?

The Devil – The Shadow Experienced

This card is actually the perfect picture of the Shadow archetype in the Tarot cards. 🙂 Not only do we see a hideous looking figure in here, but we also see a darker aspect of the man and the woman – and all of it is nicely encompassed within a scene that is pervaded by darkness.

The Devil card is such a pretty picture of the Shadow aspect. It contains all the typical symbols that personify the Shadow archetype in the Tarot card deck. The hideous monster that holds the man and the woman chained is a very interesting representation of the way the ‘negative’ aspects of the personality can get ‘monster-ized’ and how they can hold us prisoner if we keep repressing them all the time. Even the representation of the man and the woman with horns and tails shows us how they remain chained to these repressed desires, and become monster-like within the darkness of their own mind.

Right here is where we encounter the shadow head-on. Right here is where we see how the Shadow can ‘take over’ and hinder the process of Individuation.

It is in this darkness that we can look at the picture of the Devil and ask ourselves what it is that holds us prisoner? What dark thoughts and repressed desires have become converted into monsters inside of our mind? Why? And then we can ask ourselves: how can we be able to rid ourselves of these chains? How can we tame or destroy this monster? How can we find a way out of this darkness?

Perhaps the best way to tackle this is to find a way to reverse the Devil card.

The Tower – The Shadow Overthrown

The next image where we encounter the Shadow archetype in Tarot is in the Tower card. But here, we see a different kind of encounter with the Shadow. We see a man and a woman being expelled from the tower, rather suddenly, when the tower is hit with a bolt of lighting from the sky.

Could the lightning bolt be a sudden revelation? Could this image talk about the sudden realization that can hit someone after spending days, months, or even years in confusion and chaos?

Look at the card’s picture again. All around, we see darkness. It is night – the time when the darkness is at the peak, and symbolically a time when the Shadow is manifest. And the darkness is present even within the tower itself. Clearly, we can see that the Shadow is all around.

But the bolt of lighting, the realization, has given the power to the man and the woman. This time, they don’t remain prisoners of the Shadow. This time, they jump out of the tower, and extricate themselves from the clutches of the shadow. They run out of, escape from the shackles that bound them to the monster-ized version of their Shadow. They find their escape – and are totally willing to take their chances with the rocks below. (You know how the story ends though – the next card is the Star card, and they end up ok. 🙂 )

The Moon – Assimilation of The Shadow

And what happens after one experiences and overthrows the Shadow? As per Jung, one typically assimilates the Shadow within one’s consciousness. This picture is presented to us in the Moon card.

It is in this card that we see the long drawn out process of finding one’s way through the confusing process of assimilating the Shadow within one’s consciousness. As Jung has mentioned, this process can take a several years. Perhaps it isn’t wrong to say that an individual might even go back into the Devil card, and then come back into the Tower card while experiencing this process.

Assimilating one’s Shadow can be a confusing process – and we see a reflection of that same confusion in the face of the moon in the Moon card. The dog and the wolf can even symbolize the self and the shadow – but now in a fashion where they stand side by side, although on the opposite sides of the path. And of course, the water body symbolizes the unconscious mind. The darkness isn’t over yet. But the light of the moon (the symbol of intuition and inner guidance) is there to show us the way.

Archetypes In Tarot – The Shadow

It is through these different images that the Shadow archetype in Tarot has been interestingly conveyed to us via the Tarot cards. Understanding how these aspects manifest in our life can help us identify and handle, perhaps even assimilate the Shadow aspect of our personalities into our consciousness, helping us along the way to Individuation.

Your Turn…

What do you think? Do these interpretations and thoughts make sense to you? Do you also think of some other cards where you can see the Shadow aspect / the Shadow archetype in Tarot expressed in an interesting fashion? What are your thoughts about this archetype? Do let me know in the comments section below.