Five Shadow Work Prompts for the Waning Moon

After every full moon, the light shrinks a little each night for about two weeks. I think of the waning moon as the tidying-up part of the month. It is a good time to look at the corners of yourself you usually walk past.

Shadow work simply means getting curious about the parts of you that feel uncomfortable: jealousy, old hurts, habits you defend a little too quickly. It isn’t about judging yourself. It is about understanding yourself well enough to choose differently.

Before you start

Pick a quiet evening. Light a candle if you like, and keep a cup of tea nearby. Choose one prompt, not all five. Write for ten minutes without editing, then close the notebook and do something comforting.

The prompts

1. What did I feel envious of this month, and what does that envy tell me I want?
2. Which conversation do I keep replaying? What did I wish I had said, and what stopped me?
3. Where did I say yes when I meant no? What was I afraid would happen?
4. What story about myself did I repeat this month (“I’m always the one who…”)? Is it still true?
5. What would I let go of if I knew nobody would be disappointed in me?

Closing the session

Read back one sentence that surprised you. Underline it. That sentence is your clue for the coming month. Blow out the candle and leave the rest on the page.

If old pain comes up that feels too heavy to hold alone, please reach out to a counsellor or someone you trust. Journaling is a companion to support, not a replacement for it.

If something comes up

If your prompts point to something you want to release or rebuild, I can carry part of it for you. My peace and balance rituals and courage and inner strength work are where most people start.