Uncontrolled bursts of anger, sexual addiction, strange phobias, unexpected deep depressions, unshakeable self-loathing, and self-destructive tendencies are all signs of the shadow archetype โ and we all have one.
The shadow archetype, also known as the shadow self or dark side of humanity, can be seen throughout myth and legend since the dawn of humanity.
If youโd like to discover your shadow archetype, some examples, and how it influences your life, youโll find that and more right here!
Spiritual Wanderer Course:
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ "I started the Spiritual Wanderers Course a short while ago and for the first time in twelve years I have started to experience love, acceptance and compassion for myself and within myself. Thank you so much." โ Vivienne S.
Want to take the test immediately? Click here to skip straight to the shadow archetype test.
Table of contents
What is the Shadow Jungian Archetype?
How can anyone see straight when he does not even see himself and the darkness he unconsciously carries with him into all his dealings?
โ C. G. Jung, The Essential Jung
We can thank Swiss psychiatrist Carl Jung for his idea of psychological archetypes, which are patterns that appear repeatedly within human consciousness.ย
Among the many archetypes within our species is one that Jung named the Shadow, which is the dark, suppressed, and hidden side of our nature.ย
How Does Your Shadow Form (and Signs Itโs Active)?
For one reason or another, we all have abandoned parts within ourselves that we reject either consciously or unconsciously.
These rejected parts are often deemed โugly,โ โbad,โ โunworthy,โ โoutrageous,โ โunlovable,โ or even โdangerous,” and so theyโre cast out from our conscious-facing personalities (also called our โpersonaโ).
But these outlawed fragments of ourselves donโt just disappear into thin air. Instead, they get buried, locked away, and, in some cases, actively blocked off within our deep unconscious minds.ย ย
The longer these shadow parts are cut off from the light of consciousness, the more they fester and build up like a seething volcano waiting to explode.ย
Shadow & Light Membership:
โญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ๏ธโญ "Shadow and Lightโs weekly guidance always rings true to my heart. Thanks for acknowledging my shadows and inviting my inner light. I always get excited to open the Shadow and Light emails on Sunday!" โ Angela M.
Incidents of intense rage, emotional meltdowns, mental health crises, addictions, dark nights of the soul, and many other issues are signs that the shadow is trying to get our attention.
Why Should You Face Your Shadows?
To be liberated from the self-destructive force of our shadows, we must turn toward them.ย
We must integrate the shadow archetype into our lives by befriending it and finding the hidden gifts that it carries. In the words of Jung,
Everyone carries a shadow, and the less it is embodied in the individualโs conscious life, the blacker and denser it is.
(Psychology and Religion)ย
Spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle writes about the shadow archetype, referring to it as the โpain-body.โ He writes:
The pain-body, which is the dark shadow cast by the ego, is actually afraid of the light of your consciousness. It is afraid of being found out. Its survival depends on your unconscious identification with it, as well as on your unconscious fear of facing the pain that lives in you. But if you donโt face it, if you donโt bring the light of your consciousness into the pain, you will be forced to relive it again and again.
(The Power of Now)
Shadow Archetype Examples
Hereโs a list of shadow archetype examples.
Keep in mind that most of us possess more than one shadow archetype, and they can change during the course of our lives.
Also, note that none of these shadow archetypes is totally black or white โ remember that each type has a hidden gift or strength:
- Addict
- Glutton
- Workaholic
- Beggar
- Bully
- Coward
- Wounded/Orphan Child
- Destroyer
- Seducer/Black Widow/Don Juan
- Gambler
- Gossip
- Perfectionist
- Critic
- Miser
- Anarchist
- Saboteur
- Trickster
- Slave
- Sorcerer/Sorceressย
- Thief/Con Artist
- Tyrant
- Vampire
- Victim
A few shadow archetype examples in pop-culture and fiction include Green Goblin (Spider-Man), Alex (A Clockwork Orange), Moriarty (Sherlock Holmes), Gollum (The Lord of the Rings), Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Voldemort (Harry Potter), Norman Bates (Psycho), Darth Vader (Star Wars), The Joker (Batman), Regina George (Mean Girls), Ursula (The Little Mermaid), Agent Smith (The Matrix), Duck Phillips (Mad Men), Hannibal Lecter (Hannibal), Montgomery Burns (The Simpsons), Joffrey Baratheon (Game of Thrones), Nurse Ratched (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest).
You can find more ways to work with your shadow archetype in my Mindful Shadow Work book!
What is Your Shadow Archetype? (Free Test!)
There are seven main shadow archetypes in this test, which correspond to the seven chakras. The result you get can help you find some focus and clarity on your healing journey.
Would you like to save this?
Your information will never be shared.
What is your shadow archetype? Share below in the comments!
**NOTE: If you’re taking this test on your phone, be aware that the results are within an embedded iframe, so if you struggle to scroll down, try scrolling right at the very edge of your screen to keep going down. Also, a few people have reported that their results aren’t appearing. If you don’t seem to receive any results, please try taking this test in a different browser (examples are Safari, Firefox, Google Chrome), and if that doesn’t work, try using a different device or opening in incognito mode. Enjoy!
What result did you get? Please share below in the comments. I’d love to know!
If you’re interested in other shadow-related resources, here are a few: Shadow Self Test, 35 Shadow Work Prompts (For Each Chakra), and 21 Signs Youโre Experiencing โSoul Lossโ.
Whenever you feel the call, there are 3 ways I can help you:
1. The Spiritual Wanderer Course: Need "big picture" direction, clarity, and focus? Our Spiritual Wanderer course is a crystallization of 10+ years of inner work, and it can help you find your deeper path and purpose in life as a spiritual wanderer. You get 3+ hours of audio-visual content, workbooks, meditations, a premium test, and more!.
2. Shadow & Light Membership: Want weekly intuitive guidance to support you on your awakening path? This affordable membership can help you to befriend your dark side, rediscover more self-love, and reclaim inner wholeness.
3. Spiritual Awakening Bundle: Looking for a collection of all our essential transformative resources? You get five enlightening ebooks, seven in-depth journals, plus two empowering bonuses to help you soul search, heal, and awaken.
Couldnโt find my result on ipad โน๏ธ
Have you tried using a different browser, Charles?
The Wounded Child. Just thinking about addressing this makes me anxious and uncomfortable. It feels too monumental for me. I wish I had someone to lean on.
Thanks for this quiz, and for your amazing site and books.
I can understand why you’d feel that way, Julie. I’ve felt that way, too, in the past. Just take it little by little. We have many excellent resources on this website for you to enjoy and lean on if you don’t have anyone in person right now (just use the search box and look up “inner child.”) Our Inner Child Journal is a wonderful place to start if you want something cohesive and guided: https://shop.lonerwolf.com/product/inner-child-journal/ I hope that helps ๐
It does not work. No result is coming.
Have you tried changing browser, Max?
Bang on with the ‘Wounded Child.’
๏ปฟ๐๏ปฟ Glad to hear that Jill!
I got the Idealist, which I was not expecting at all. I am excited to explore how that particular archetype shows up in my daily life.
Thanks for sharing Caleb!
Hmmm… I took the test on my phone and on my desktop. Still don’t see the results. Bummer.
Try changing browser, Christie. Let me know if that works for you. ;)
I’m quite the sceptic but this is so uncannily correct that I have no explanation other than to sit up and listen.
You have been spot on with every test and article lonerwolf has written and has been a beacon of light throughout my healing journey, which has been painfull beyond words.
Thank you.
This really touched my heart, Andrea. Thank you so much for sharing this ๐
I got the trickster. I have been working on self expression and living my authentic self. Seems I got more to do in opening up my throat chakra
Wow I got the Addict. It is so accurate as this is something I am struggling with right now. I have so many good things going for me in life right now but I cannot enjoy my life because I am struggling to break the habit of this repetitive behavior. I will try again today, I am so very tired of doing this over and over.
I hear you Vince. I hope the suggestions and resources within the test results help you out โค๏ธ You may also like to check out parts work or IFS therapy. Wishing you healing and freedom.
I’m glad you have a place to focus on now, Catherine โค๏ธ
I got the victim, which is more applicable in the less obvious sense. On the surface I am the furthest from a victim (mentality) as possible, but underneath is where the signs become clearer. Which is only highlights the meaning of “Shadow Archetype” lack of focus and regular fatigue are big ones.
Yes, being a shadow, the behavior is often buried beneath the surface in our mindsets and approaches to life. Thank you for sharing Steve ๐บ
The Nihilist, I am so glad I did this. It is exactly how I feel at the moment and how I don’t want to feel. First time it is described in real words. I must just find the energy to do something about it and get my life back.
I got the same
And it’s so true.smd as you know
It’s a terrible way to feel.
I’m glad you have a name for it now, Letitia and Judy. As you can see, you’re not alone in dealing with the Nihilist as a shadow archetype. ๐