🌑 The Shadows We Inherit

When we think about shadow work, it’s easy to focus only on our wounds and patterns. But the truth is, we carry more than our own stories. Family dynamics, cultural expectations, and generational trauma all weave themselves into our shadows.

As witches, October offers us the perfect moment to face these deeper layers. The veil thins, and the voices of our ancestors—both known and unknown—become easier to hear. This isn’t about judgment; it’s about understanding the threads we’ve inherited so we can decide what to keep and what to release.

🔮 Why Work with Ancestors in Shadow Work?

Our ancestors are not just figures of the past—they are part of us. Their struggles and triumphs live in our blood, our bones, and sometimes in our subconscious patterns. By acknowledging them, we:

• Heal repeating cycles of pain or dysfunction.

• Reclaim ancestral strengths we may have forgotten.

• Root ourselves more deeply in who we are and where we come from.

🕯️ Ancestor Shadow Ritual

You’ll Need:

• A photo of an ancestor (or a symbolic item, if unknown)

• A white candle

• A glass of water (as an offering)

• Pen & paper

Steps:

1. Place the photo or item on your altar with the candle and glass of water.

2. Light the candle and say:
   “I honor my ancestors. I welcome your wisdom and guidance.”

3. Spend a few minutes in meditation, imagining your ancestors gathered around you.

4. Ask: What patterns have I inherited that are ready to be healed? Write whatever arises without censoring.

5. Thank your ancestors, offering the water as a gift. Snuff the candle.

✍️ Journaling Prompts for Ancestral Shadow Work

• What family stories or sayings shaped how I see myself?

• What patterns (addiction, silence, anger, perfectionism) seem to repeat across generations?

• What strengths or gifts did my ancestors carry that I can embrace more fully?

🌙 Healing Beyond Yourself

When you heal something in yourself, you also heal it for the generations before you and the ones yet to come. This is the magick of ancestral shadow work: it ripples across time.

🕸️ Looking Ahead

Next week, we’ll explore how to transform shadow into strength—taking what we’ve uncovered in the past three weeks and alchemizing it into empowerment. This sets the stage beautifully for Samhain, when we honor both endings and new beginnings.