Through a Jungian Lens

A simple photo today, one taken yesterday morning from my backyard deck.  Like the previous photo, this one is about the contrast between light and dark.  Here, the shadow world is active.  As I looked at the scene, I was struck how much vitality was given to the object, Trollius x cultorum, or “Golden Queen.”  Those flowers in full sunlight appeared to be faded, almost washed out with the light.  Those in deep shade where also less distinct.  But those at the edges of shadow and light were the most vibrant.  Nature has so much to teach us.

This makes me thing of how we become more ourselves, fuller beings when we work to bring aspects of the shadow into our consciousness.  Being stuck in a sense of self that is fully persona leaves us washed out, energyless and feeling empty.  Being stuck in the underworld of inner spaces where ego is almost non-existent is akin to being the living dead.  It is only when one dares to experience some of the depths of self, to dare heroic journeys of self discovery that one is able to emerge a more vital being.  It is then that one becomes “gold,” not that much different than the Golden Queen flower that thrives best in the partly sunny, partly shady spaces.