The Dark Night of the Soul is one of the most painful, isolating, and destabilizing experiences in life. Yet it is also a tremendous blessing in disguise.
As a primordial process of death and rebirth, the Dark Night of the Soul is a period in life where we are stripped of everything that is false.
The veils of illusion are torn from our eyes. We suddenly see the fragility of ourselves, other people, and existence itself.
Out of nowhere, we start asking big questions such as “What is the meaning of life?” “What happens after death?” and “Why was I born?”
The more we start to question our lives, the more deception we come across. We see the lies perpetuated by society.
We see the ways we have become wounded and behave dysfunctionally. And we may even notice a sense of emptiness inherent in our lives. Something feels missing. But what?
For many people, the Dark Night of the Soul heralds big life shifts. We may quit our jobs, leave our marriage, and seek out something more meaningful and aligned with who we truly are.
For some, the Dark Night is a call to begin the spiritual wanderer’s journey toward self-actualization, spiritual illumination (or enlightenment), and reconnecting with the Soul.
Dark Night of the Soul Questions
When people first enter this dark period of life, they often have many questions.
It can feel scary to lose interest in what you once valued and have your life turned upside down. Due to its destabilizing effect on our lives, the Dark Night is synonymous with what is known as the spiritual emergency.
Here are some commonly asked questions which might help to relax your mind a bit:
Most people who go through the Dark Night feel a sense of loneliness, isolation, anxiety, and depression. It’s common to crave solitude and quiet, comforting environments. While some describe the experience as a death and rebirth, others describe it as the feeling of disintegrating or falling through a void.
The Dark Night of the Soul is an experience that is unique to everyone (although it does share many common characteristics). For one person it may last a few months, for others, it may last a year or many years. Most importantly, please understand that this is a temporary experience, and many people can relate to what you’re experiencing. You’re not alone, although it might feel that way.
There are many ways to answer this question, but it’s crucial to understand first and foremost that the Dark Night is a natural and organic process. Just as trees go through a period of losing their leaves in Autumn/Winter, so too do we as humans (metaphorically speaking). We all go through cycles of death and rebirth – periods where we are full of life and energy and then periods where we need to slow down and go within. The Dark Night helps us to stop and tune into our inner selves. It is a process that goes hand-in-hand with the spiritual awakening process and finding our true life purpose.
Good question! Think of the Dark Night of the Soul as entering a prolonged Winter period. What comes after Winter? Spring! After the Dark Night, we emerge refreshed, renewed, and ready to walk our true life paths. This is known as the ‘Illumination‘ stage on the spiritual wanderer’s journey. In this period, we have gained clarity, wisdom, tenderness, and the ability to tune into ourselves thanks to the Dark Night period. These qualities we then bring into our lives. It’s quite common to start big projects, make powerful life changes, and explore our newly found gifts after the Dark Night of the Soul. It’s a blessing in disguise.
Dark Night of the Soul Test
Are you experiencing symptoms of loneliness, isolation, depression, and soul loss? Does it feel as though you’re cut off or totally disconnected from the Divine?
If so, you may be experiencing a Dark Night of the Soul. Take our free Dark Night of the Soul Test to confirm (or challenge) your suspicions below:
What result did you get? Feel free to share your results in the comments as well as any reflections.
If you need more in-depth guidance, see our Dark Night of the Soul Journal for more help.
What has your experience during the Dark Night been like so far? I’d love to hear from you below. Your words might inspire or support someone else on this difficult journey.
This may have already been touched on, but I don’t have time to go through all the comments, so I’m sorry if this is a repeat. Can a person be born with this and have it all their life? I’ve always felt this way and it just gets worse the older I get. I follow The Michael Teachings and I’ve been channeled as an old soul and some of these things seems to be old soul related.
I always come here to help find some guide to where I need to go and this has helped a little.
Many years ago I started suffering badly with my health I put this down to strain and stress of caring for my daughter full time however after years of struggle I was diagnosed with endometriosis, my health hasn’t improved and has taken me down some dark paths but what’s worse is the breaking down relationship with my mother whom I have always been extremely close to due to her putting another man before me and me not rolling over and accepting it, I feel like I’m constantly out of body, my mind is cloudy and the night terrors are worse and more frequent than normal I honest don’t know where to turn or what to do anymore.
Thank u Luna for posting these things when it feels I need it most.xx
I grew up in foster care till 13. My parents were herion addicted and very young. I suffered alot in foster care physically sexually emotionally. I grew up mad at God. I felt forsaken..like I was his personal joke. I still have issues with God but now its more of a guilt because I was angry at him. I used his name in vain etc. Then 2002 had kidney failure and liver failure. No medicinal reasons. I was in icu for 4 months. I watched so many people die. Finally I grew older and wanted a deep relationship with God. I was raised catholic but I prefer a nondenominational. So I got saved..and I still felt the need to make a connection with .my higher .in the process I have become more aware of myself . I know I have had a “gift” since I was little. So now im just trying to go though my spiritual journey and figure how to get past trauma to be more at peace..to be happy. Any insight would be greatly appreciated. I don’t have anyone to talk about this
Hey Julie,
Thank you for opening up and sharing these experiences and your vulnerability. You ask for insight into going through the spiritual journey and getting through past traumas to be more at peace. I think you’ll find this guide on inner work helpful (it will give you a place to start with your healing journey). You might also benefit from reading this article on the spiritual journey. I hope that helps <3 Much love
Renee, the answer is yes! I got out of the abusive relationship I was in and life started to seriously shift for me. It hasn’t been easy getting out of that in the middle of my own dark night, but it was a necessary step to make space (create rest and peace) for personal growth to happen.
I could have written this. I feel sorry for you. I’m ashamed that as a man I’m subject to identical gaslighting. I have junior school children with this person. I’m resigned to it all and happy to retreat to a solitary place every night.
Yes, I probably am going through a dark night . I lost both of my parents in the last five years but I lost them way before then. My brother was after their assets and took control before he even reached adulthood. It was very gradual. When I finally realized what was going on it was too difficult to loosen the hold he had on them. I did everything I could to get him out of their house and away. Now they are gone and we are all free of his control. I am going through a lot trying to figure out how, why this happened. And exactly what happened because no one could ask them, they couldn’t speak because he was always hovering, threatening.
I am receiving much help from your writings. More than I have received after many years of therapy.
And I am not scared. I’m finding that I am a lot like my brother even though we are very opposite from each other.
I think I know that my parents still loved me as hard as my brother tried to turn them against me. Now, as I look back I suspect he’s responsible
for some VERY dark actions. He is SO skilled at manipulation, especially when it comes to those in authority and those who are most vulnerable. He’s had many years of practice. I’m less disturbed now than when it was actually happening. I feel very aware, now that I’m free of being gaslighted.
In 2015 my life started spiraling forward. I didn’t really see the crash coming as I was busy trying to keep it together being the strong one and all. In 2015 I lost my Aunt who was more like a mother do there went my moral compass. Then in 2016 our family business, which I ran with my dad, went under after 16 years. 2017 I lost my house and apparently my mind. 2018 I missed my daughter’s graduation, 2019 missed my daughter’s 21st birthday, and now 5 years in I’m feeling so low on myself I wonder if it’s best that I just stay away. I literally lost everything that made me me. Thank God I was aware that in 2015 we, our solar system, was going to be entering another depth of space. This is when people’s lives really started going haywire. People began experiencing things they had never experienced such as intuition, seeing spirits, hearing voices, and experiencing psychic abilities. These chosen people would either lose their minds or forever be changed anew. I always had empathic abilities and saw spirits but nothing like I do now. It wasn’t until I became familiar with Luna and Sol that I realized what was happening to me. Even though it doesn’t soften the pain and deep loss that I feel inside, I am thankful for the clarity. At least I know I’m not crazy… Thank you guys
Thank you for your time and effort to make a decent page that deals with the subject. I have been trying to figure out where to go and get the information I need to have to make the best decision for me and I have found it
I Feel you guys so very much, recently ive been watching Rumi poems on youtube, they kinda help me… hugs. joao
very strong,it really hit home plus i am experiencing so much more, most times i feel numb i am costantely crying wanting to just move away from this life and die ,i have no idea who iam anymore an why am i on this earth my whole life i have felt nothing bur pain an sorry i feel as if my soul has died. i use to to be strong confident woman now i feel week i let people abuse me mentally an especially emotionaly i have nobody .i lost my sons the man i was with i found out was using me an i seen the signs but i just didnt want to be alone anymore.i believe i was brought to u for a reason ,i can feel wen someone is lieing,cheating an basically not agood person i never lost my intuition i just ignored it i am hoping this will help me be happy an enjoy life as i have before.i feel like im spinning in space i cant catch my breath or touch the ground im lost so so lost
ooooooooow