As a Medicine Person (a shaman) from the Navajo Nation, I work with the shadow side of myself and other individuals all of the time. However, my approach is different from other forms of shadow work. Yes, I do approach shadow work from the psychological framework provided to us by Carl Jung and other great minds. However, as a shaman, I will approach shadow work from a more organic, natural world perspective. Within the natural world, everything that is in the light will cast a shadow. There is no shame, no blame, no embarrassment here. Shadows land in the natural world organically. And so, it is with us, we all have a shadow side, and that is natural.

What are the nuances and benefits of doing shadow work from a shamanistic perspective? Before I get into this wonderful topic, I would like to take a step back and provide some of my foundational shamanistic concepts of working with the natural world to assist in all areas of life, not just with our shadow side.

Most shamans will work with the natural world in order to create balance within individuals and communities. Different shamans will approach this in different ways, as shamanism is a global spiritual path. Personally, as a shaman, I work with animals, landscapes, and seasons. As depicted in the natural world, different animals will behave in different ways in order to accomplish their goals of living and thriving. We can learn from this. Likewise, each animal will be more comfortable in specific landscapes, the landscape that works with the animal's natural habitat. Additionally, different seasons will affect each landscape and in turn each habitat and the behavior of the animals that thrive within the landscape. There is a natural cycle within the natural world. We can learn from all of this. Let me break it down.

Animal Spirits: How They Behave in the World
We can learn so much from our brothers and sisters in the animal kingdom who also inhabit Mother Earth. We learn different ways to approach the world, how we move in the world, and how we interact with the world around us.

For example, the birds that fly within the heavens. They show us how to rise above situations, and how to see the bigger picture from a "bird's eye view." They also show us that there are different ways to get from point A to point B: "As the crow flies." We also have a category that I like to call the "four-leggeds:" any animal that moves within the world with four legs on the ground. Theirs is a different perspective than that of the birds of the air. These animals show us that moving in the world is a grounded form of placing one foot in front of the other, and, at times, leaping. This shows us that at times we need to stay grounded within our movement, placing one foot in front of the other and not getting ahead of ourselves or our situations. These animals move with intention and practicality. They may need to move around other objects, unlike the bird˜so some patience is required with them. Another animal group would be the "water nation," as I like to refer to them. These are any animals that move within the water, such as fish as well as whales and dolphins. These animals show us how to move in groups or schools and go with the flow. However, there is always an exception in any group; in this group, it would be the salmon, who move against the current, headed up stream. We also have insects that teach us that there is strength in numbers. Amphibians show us how to be transformative in order to live and thrive. Each of these animals shows us a different way to behave and interact with the world around us. None is better or worse than another, they are simply different ways of living.

The same can be said about the different ways that each of us walks in the world. Some of us rise above and seek a bigger picture. Some of us stay grounded and move with practicality. Some of us go with the flow. Some of us find strength in numbers. And some of us are living a life that continues to ask us to transform. When we look at each other with this perspective, it can allow us to understand each other more. Ask yourself what some of your favorite animals are and how they like to move within the world; this can lead to more self-discovery. What about your friends and family? What are their favorite animals, and how does that animal behave in the world? This can lead to deeper understanding of others.

Different Landscapes: The Environments That We Are In
When observing different landscapes, we can see that not all animals can survive, live, or thrive in every landscape. Each landscape creates a biosphere of its own.

In thinking about different landscapes, I come up with a few. I am thinking about a beach in a sunny region. I am thinking about the mountain tops in other regions. There are landscapes within each desert, each forest, and every prairie grassland and plain. This all makes sense. Now, extract the idea or conceptual metaphor of each of these landscapes and I can learn so much more. You can do this by describing each landscape in detail. For example, at times I might equate myself to being in an environment that reminds me of a mountain top: high elevation, warmer days and colder nights, and at times it will snow. Or a prairie, with wide open plains that allow for expansive growth and plenty of vegetation. How about a jungle, where it is hot and humid; it is alive and a little wild as you cannot always see what is coming around the bend.

Now describe the different landscapes in which you live or work. Is it more like a mountain that you need to climb? Is it more like a prairie with plenty of room for expansion? Is it more like a jungle, and you need to be on alert? Again, one environment is not better or worse than another—the question becomes, "Is the environment that you are in conducive to how you like to move within the world?"

Again, think about the types of animals that are your favorites, and this is most likely due to a familiarity. Next, think about what types of environments those animals are able to survive, live, and thrive in. This exercise can bring so much insight into you and the environment in which you are living or working. Maybe you are in an environment that is providing much-needed growth or pressure, or maybe you are in an environment that is limiting your authentic potential. This is a different way of looking at the world, but it can bring much insight.

Seasons of the Year: The Lifecycle of the Environment That We Are In
From my shamanic perspective, the season of the year is going to directly influence how I am acting and interacting with the world around me. Moreover, each landscape has a cycle, a seasonal year just like mother earth. I honor and consider the seasonal cycle of each landscape prior to making any changes.

For example, suppose I am looking at the landscape of my career. Let's say that my career is in sales; I will understand that I will have higher sales at certain times within that year depending on supply and demand for whatever it is that I am selling. Let's say that the landscape is the relationship that you are in, take into consideration that relationships flow through cycles, seasons, and so forth depending on real-life situations.

Sometimes we are in an environment that is experiencing the springtime; it is warm and new growth is happening. Sometimes we are in an environment that is in the summertime, and social invitations and creative opportunities abound. At times, our environment is experiencing autumn, and it is time to let go and release. And finally, at times we are in an environment that is in the winter, a time of slow moving and cold. All of these are natural.

Shamanism & Your Shadow
As a recap, at times I assess what type of animal an individual is behaving like in a situation. I do my best to understand the landscape that they are in and see if it is conducive to the type of animal that they are emulating. And I also take into consideration that each landscape moves through seasons and cycles, so it changes, too. With this wisdom, I am able to understand what type of support they may need in order to live a more balanced, authentic life.

So, back to the original question: What are the nuances and benefits of doing shadow work from a shamanistic perspective? Shadow work is difficult, as it is moving into an unseen, hidden, or subconscious part of ourselves—the parts of ourselves that might not feel comfortable. However, with the shamanic understanding that all is natural even if it is uncomfortable, is key.

In my newest release, Shamanism and Your Shadow, I carefully walk the reader through shadow work by providing an animal spirit guide that will understand the landscape and season of each stage, so you are never alone.

There are so many more teachings from the natural world that I will provide insight to for the reader to have a safe and incredible journey: working with animal spirits, guided meditation and journaling, different landscapes, the time of day or night and the seasons of the year, the four cardinal directions and aligning elements, a medicine wheel, and magical tools. We are a part of the natural world. Our shadow is, too.

In Shamanism and Your Shadow, you do not need to walk this wonderful path alone. You are surrounded by the teachings of mother earth. The shadow is organic and natural. Take my hand; let's discover more about ourselves together.