Why Shadow Work Feels Hard (and How Tarot Makes It Easier)
Why Is Shadow Work So Emotionally Difficult?
Because it asks you to look at the parts of yourself you’ve spent years hiding, suppressing, or avoiding. Shadow work brings up fear, shame, grief, and memories you may not want to face — not because you're broken, but because you're ready to grow.
It’s not easy. But it’s powerful. And necessary for real transformation.
What Makes Tarot Helpful in Shadow Work?
Tarot gives you something to hold onto in the process.
Instead of being lost in emotion, you have an image — a structure — a symbol that reflects what’s happening. A card like The Five of Cups might help you name your grief. The Eight of Swords might help you notice self-imposed limitations. The cards hold space when you're overwhelmed.
Tarot makes the invisible visible — and that’s where healing starts.
What Emotions Might Come Up?
Shadow work can stir:
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Guilt or regret
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Old anger or bitterness
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Fear of judgment or rejection
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A sense of “not being good enough”
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Memories you haven’t visited in years
This is normal. The key is to meet these emotions with curiosity, not resistance.
How Can I Stay Grounded While Doing Shadow Work?
Here are 3 simple tips:
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Set a time limit — 10 to 15 minutes of reflection is enough
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Light a candle or hold a grounding object before you begin
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End with self-kindness — a stretch, a walk, or writing down something gentle
You don’t need to do everything at once. Shadow work is a lifelong process, not a sprint.
Where Do I Start If I Feel Overwhelmed?
Start with one card and one question:
What part of me is asking to be seen right now?
Let the card speak. Let the feelings rise. Write what comes.
No fixing. No forcing. Just witnessing.
Want Guidance Through the Process?
🖤 The Shadow Work Tarot Workbook includes simple, safe prompts to explore your shadow step by step — without rushing or getting lost.
🃏 Or book a personal tarot session to receive live, intuitive support.
📺 Watch my approach on YouTube for guidance and real examples:
👉 Ripecolor Channel
📌 Share or revisit this blog anytime:
👉 Pinterest – Ripecolor
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Also in News
How a Tarot Reading Can Help You Make Decisions
Can Tarot Really Help Me Make a Decision?
Yes — but not by telling you what to do.
A tarot reading won’t say “Take the job” or “Leave the relationship.” Instead, it shows you:
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What’s influencing you
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What fears or desires are present
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What energy surrounds each option
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What you’re not seeing clearly
The goal isn’t control — it’s clarity.
Why Is It So Hard to Decide?
Because decisions are rarely just logical.
They’re emotional. Energetic. Tied to identity and fear. Sometimes you're not choosing between Option A and B — you're choosing between comfort and growth, fear and freedom.
Tarot helps you name the real decision behind the surface one.
What Kinds of Questions Can I Ask?
Instead of asking:
Should I do this or not?
Try:
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What is the energy surrounding this opportunity?
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What lesson is present in this decision?
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What will I learn if I choose this path?
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What am I avoiding in making this choice?
These open questions give the cards space to speak honestly.
What Will the Cards Show?
The cards reflect what’s already happening inside you — your resistance, your longing, your truth. A good reading won’t push you. It will help you recognize the path you already feel but haven’t fully claimed.
Sometimes, you’ll hear what you already knew. That’s confirmation. And that’s powerful.
Want Help Seeing Clearly?
✨ I offer intuitive, honest tarot readings designed to help you cut through confusion, reconnect to your intuition, and make decisions with confidence.
📘 Want to start decoding the cards yourself?
Explore the Tarot Cheat Sheet and Reversals Guide
📺 Watch sample readings and decision spreads here:
👉 Ripecolor Tarot Channel
📌 Share or revisit this blog:
👉 Ripecolor on Pinterest
Looking for Honest Tarot Guidance? Here’s What to Do
Wondering what really happens in a tarot reading? Learn what to expect, how it works, and how an honest session can bring clarity and grounded insight.
What Integration Really Means in Shadow Work (with Tarot)
Integration isn’t about fixing yourself — it’s about wholeness. Learn how shadow work and tarot help you bring hidden parts of yourself back into the light.
Jeffrey Goldstein
Author