A Journey Through Shadow and Light
October began with coaching sessions: archetype work rooted in Jungian psychology. That helped me see the forces within me more clearly. Joanna, my coach, guided me through the light and shadow aspects of my inner archetypes. It wasn’t therapy, but it felt like a deep reckoning with parts of myself I’ve long avoided.
There’s a discomfort in facing the shadow. A sense of unease, even now as I write this. But there’s also a longing, a taste of something missing, something I’ve been chasing but not fully embracing. – not fully going all in. I want to understand what holds me back, and how to invite the “light” forces within me to lead the way.
One morning, this inner tension reminded me of the day when we had to let our cat go. She had cancer, and though she tried to show us she was fine, we knew she wasn’t. That morning, I felt something inside me needed to die too. In a transformational sense. Which part of me was ready to be released to make space for something new – I am still trying to figure that out.
My wife suggested I take my camera and go for a walk. Photography, for me, is a way to access what words can’t reach. It’s intuitive, subconscious, and healing. I wandered to Viktoria-Luise-Platz in Berlin, a quiet park with a fountain and a classicistic arch.
I took a few photos. Looking at them now feels like mirrors of my inner world.
1. The Man in the Park
A solitary figure walks away from the camera, dressed in grey and white, carrying a bag. The tones are earthy, the trees bare, the sky blue but subdued. He moves from the shadow in the foreground, and yet he shines. This image holds me. It speaks of intentional solitude, of walking with quiet grace.
2. Blossoms and Light
A bush with purple-pink blossoms catches the light. Behind it – – blurred – a tree trunk and the outlines of buildings. There’s a shadowy figure, not sure if it is real or just in my imagintion – passing by. This photo contrasts the first: it’s hopeful, vibrant, alive.
3. Mud and Reflection
Taken at the C/O Berlin exhibition “Close Enough,” this photo shows fallen leaves, rotting and muddy, with puddles reflecting light. It’s not pretty, but it’s honest. It reflects how I felt: Mud rising inside me, uncomfortable and raw. Yet by photographing it, I transformed it. Art made the mess meaningful.
These photos weren’t planned. They emerged from a mindful walk, a clearing of thoughts, a surrender to the moment. And they revealed parts of me I usually avoid. They became gateways to deeper understanding.
I used to think this kind of reflection wasn’t suitable for podcasts or social media. But I’m learning to honour the inner work, the shadow, the quiet truths. I’ll keep sharing these reflections for myself. Maybe they’ll resonate with you too.
Thank you for walking with me.
