How Darkness Births Discernment
A Sacred Journey into the Shadows
Let’s get real: if you don’t give your darkness a place to breathe, it’s going to find its way out, often in ways you’d never choose. Darkness doesn’t vanish just because we ignore it. It’s the side of us that holds our fire, our passion, and our boundaries. When it doesn’t have a sacred space to flow, it can start to leak into places it doesn’t belong. Maybe you snap at your niece or put up walls with loved ones, all because there’s a part of you that hasn’t been honored.
Here’s the truth that most people don’t say: your darkness is sacred. It’s as much a part of you as your joy, your softness, and your kindness. Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés, in Women Who Run with the Wolves, talks about our “shadow” as the parts of us that society labels too intense, too fierce, or too wild. When we keep these parts hidden, they don’t disappear—they just wait. And when they do surface, it’s usually with a force we didn’t expect.
Science backs this up, too. Studies show that bottling up emotions doesn’t just weigh on our spirits; it harms our health. Research from the Journal of Psychosomatic Research shows that people who regularly suppress emotions are at higher risk for stress-related conditions like hypertension. Darkness, unexpressed, becomes a quiet storm in the body. But when we give it a sacred space, when we let it breathe, we start to reclaim every part of ourselves.
Why Creative Outlets Are a Path to Transformation
In Your Brain on Art, Susan Magsamen and Ivy Ross explore how creativity physically rewires our brain, helping us process and release deep emotions. When we let our darkness flow through creative outlets—dance, art, or poetry—we’re giving it form, allowing it to move through us instead of staying stuck. These acts don’t just help us “vent” emotions; they bring us back to ourselves. The very act of creation reduces stress, strengthens resilience, and honors the parts of us that need to be seen.
5 Intentional Outlets for Embracing Your Darkness
1. Dance: Dance is a sacred language. When you let your body move intuitively, you’re letting it speak in ways words can’t. Research shows that dancing helps regulate emotions and reduce stress, and Your Brain on Art highlights how rhythm soothes the nervous system. So, find the music that calls to you, close your eyes, and let your body say everything it’s been holding.
2. Art or Painting: Art allows you to see your inner world outside yourself, in color, shape, and form. You don’t need to be an “artist”—just give yourself permission to create freely. Magsamen and Ross explain that visual art taps into parts of the brain tied to emotional processing, helping us express what we often keep locked away. Art becomes a mirror, reflecting what lies beneath and helping it rise to the surface.
3. Writing or Poetry: Writing lets your shadow side speak without interruption. Science shows that expressive writing improves mental health, letting us release complex emotions in a healthy way. In Your Brain on Art, writing is described as a path of self-discovery, giving us clarity on what’s within. Try free-writing or poetry, and let your words flow without judgment.
4. Breathwork and Movement: Darkness often sits in the body, showing up as heaviness or tension. Breathwork, as Magsamen and Ross explain, calms the brain’s fear center, grounding us in the present. Paired with gentle movement, it becomes a way to let emotions flow through us. Each breath and stretch becomes an invitation to release and clear space for ourselves.
5. Vocal Expression: Never underestimate the power of your voice. Sometimes a deep sigh, a hum, or even a primal scream can be the release we need. Your Brain on Art highlights how vocal expression stimulates the vagus nerve, which calms the body. Try it somewhere safe and let your voice be a channel for the energy within you.
How It Feels to Honor Your Darkness
When you create intentional outlets, you’ll feel more grounded, more at peace. Your relationships feel lighter, and you respond to life instead of reacting. Honoring your darkness isn’t about “fixing” anything; it’s about respecting every part of who you are, light and shadow alike.
Your darkness deserves expression as much as your light. This journey is about reclaiming every part of you, so next time you feel that quiet storm rising, invite it to dance, to paint, to write, or to sing. This is your path to wholeness—a reminder that your full self, darkness included, is beautiful and sacred.
If you’re ready to embrace the sacred power within your shadows and unlock the wisdom only darkness can offer, join the paid version of The Dark Divines. With exclusive access to our New Moon Dark Femme Ritual, you’ll journey into a space designed to help you deepen your connection to the dark feminine, embracing your shadows and gaining the clarity needed to move through life with discernment and grace. Step into this realm, and let the dark feminine guide you to your deepest truth.