Putrefaction

Shadow Release

Purge and integrate the dark energy within you. Shift negative projections into self-empowerment.

How you view the world is how you view yourself. When the Putrefaction oracle card shows up, it’s time to face ethe difficult shadows within you and become conscious to what you are projecting into the world. Psychoanalyst Carl Jung described the shadow as our untamed true nature that we hide from the world to feel safe and accepted in our environment. The authentic side of ourselves is hidden by a mask to protect itself when we experience trauma or challenges. This card calls for you to do inner work around how you perpetuate suffering in your own reality.

Where are you projecting your own shortcomings, pain, trauma, and angst onto others? Projection occurs when you are triggered and reactive in your outer world. This is because of pain from past traumas or difficulties that are buried beneath the surface. Think of when an objectively beautiful person walks into a room and immediately receives jealousy and judgment from those in the room who feel insecure in themselves. Al alchemist will use moments like this as an opportunity to cleanse their shadow through releasing other’s opinions.

Putrefaction is the fifth phase of alchemy and one of the most emotionally challenging because it requires an honest look within. Scientifically, putrefaction is the decomposition of organic matter. Use your life as a spiritual practice and start to release unconscious patterns. Doing so will create space for new, healthy patterns.

Putrefaction Phase Shadow Work: Handling difficult emotions is one of the most challenging parts of alchemy, and it’s best not to do this alone. Seeking a licensed therapist, healer, mystic, or astrologer can help guide your way through this extremely sensitive phase of the process. Remember that support is available to you, and that requesting it is a sign of strength, not weakness.