The shoe that fits one person pinches another; there is no recipe for living that suits all cases.—Carl Jung
Taboos mark the edges of collective comfort, unspoken rules hiding our deepest fears and denied desires. To confront taboos is to stand in sacred defiance: you shine a light into the darkest corners of the psyche and reclaim the power that society tried to lock away. This exercise guides you through that hidden terrain, inviting liberation for your soul and ripples of change in the collective unconscious.
Core Ideas:
- Taboos reflect collective shadow: what we fear, shame, or deny.
- Exploring taboo uncovers repressed wounds and secret potentials.
- Transcending taboos is an act of radical self-liberation.
- Healing the collective shadow begins with personal taboo integration.
Shadow Writing Prompts
Prompt 9a: Identifying Your Taboos
List two or three societal or cultural taboos that have exerted power over you: topics you hesitated to explore or admitted only in whispers. For each, describe how honouring or breaking that boundary felt, and what reactions it provoked in you and others.
Prompt 9b: Shadow’s Revelation
Choose one taboo from your list and reflect on its roots. What collective fear or wound does it mask? How has this taboo shaped your persona and influenced the desires your conscious self denies? Journal the hidden message your shadow is urging you to claim.
Prompt 9c: The Rite of Transgression
Imagine a safe, symbolic ritual to confront or honour that taboo: writing a confession, performing a private ritual, or creating art. Outline the steps and intentions of this rite, and describe how you expect it to shift your relationship to this forbidden territory.
Prompt 9d: Liberating the Collective
Reflect on how one person’s taboo work can ripple outwards. What conversation could you spark? What creative expression could normalise this hidden truth? Plan one concrete action to share insight or foster dialogue, contributing to collective healing.
Boldly entering the realm of taboo isn’t reckless; it’s the reclamation of your whole self. Illuminate your shadows and help set the collective free.
