Carl Jung once said, *“How can I be substantial if I do not cast a shadow? I must have a dark side also if I am to be whole.”*
This quote is a personal favourite of mine because it touches on the heart of shadow work, which often gets a bit of a bad reputation. But here’s the thing: shadow work isn’t something to fear—it’s actually one of the most empowering and transformative things you can do, especially as an entrepreneur seeking greater business success. I’m Sarah Ann Negus, the Modern-Day Shaman, and for over 27 years, I’ve guided people through inner work, shamanic journeying, and personal growth to help them unlock their true potential and find business success.
Let’s dive in.
Embracing Your Shadow: A Path to Wholeness
Many people think of the shadow as something dark or negative, but in reality, your shadow holds so much more than that. It’s a treasure chest of hidden potential, untapped energy, and personal wisdom. Your shadow contains all the parts of yourself that you’ve yet to fully recognise, accept, or bring into the light. By doing shadow work, you’re not just unearthing old wounds or limiting beliefs—you’re discovering the keys to your own greatness.
When you acknowledge and embrace your shadow, you’re taking the first step towards becoming a more whole, empowered version of yourself. For entrepreneurs, this means unlocking new levels of creativity, leadership, and confidence. You’ll begin to recognise the subconscious patterns that might be holding you back, and by bringing them into the light, you gain the power to transform them.
The Power of Shadow Work in Business Success
One of the most exciting aspects of shadow work is how it naturally propels you forward in business. Success has a funny way of shining a light on the areas where you still have work to do. Every time you’re about to level up—whether it’s landing a big client, launching a new product, or expanding your business—any unresolved issues within you tend to surface. But here’s the good news: shadow work turns those moments into opportunities.
Instead of letting old patterns or fears hold you back, shadow work helps you understand them and use them to your advantage. By integrating your shadow, you release the energy that was once tied up in limiting beliefs and redirect it towards your growth. It’s like clearing away the debris so you can step confidently into the next chapter of your entrepreneurial journey.
How Shadow Work Supported My Growth
To give you an example of how shadow work helped me break through my own business barriers. Early in my journey, I found myself constantly struggling with the belief that I wasn’t good enough to succeed at the level I envisioned for myself. Every time I reached a new milestone, I’d sabotage my own efforts—unintentionally, of course—by either not fully showing up or allowing self-doubt to creep in, this would manifest as low energy, or illness or tech issues. I famously unplugged my internet (without realising) just before I had 10 sales calls lined up. Self-sabotage is real and shows up just when you think you’re ready for your next level.
Through shadow work, I discovered that this fear stemmed from my childhood, where I learned to equate success with the possibility of rejection. I realised that a part of me was terrified of being seen as a failure if I dared to step into my full potential. This fear had been operating beneath the surface for years, influencing my decisions and holding me back from fully embracing my success.
Once I brought this shadow belief to light, everything shifted. I was able to understand its roots, release its grip on my actions, and begin to show up more confidently in my business. This inner work helped me create new, positive behaviours that aligned with my goals, and it ultimately allowed me to take my business to the next level. The energy that had been tied up in fear was now free to be used in creative, productive ways. I went on to behave more confidently, finding my sweet spot as a public speaker no longer needing to book sales calls. Instead, finding clients approached me from the audience and recommended me via word of mouth.
This is the power of shadow work—it’s not about fixing what’s broken; it’s about unlocking the full spectrum of who you are and using that energy to propel your growth forward.
Shamanic Journeying: A Deeper Dive into Your Inner World
While shadow work helps you explore and integrate your hidden aspects, shamanic journeying takes that inner exploration to a whole new level. Shamanic journeying is a powerful tool for accessing deeper realms of consciousness, where you can gain insights, clarity, and guidance that go beyond the limitations of your everyday mind.
During a shamanic journey, you enter an altered state of consciousness that allows you to engage with symbols, visions, and energies that offer valuable messages for your growth. It’s a journey that helps you connect with your inner wisdom and the greater energies around you. This isn’t just a meditative exercise—it’s an active exploration of the possibilities waiting within you.
When you combine shamanic journeying with shadow work, you get to the root of your challenges quickly and effectively. You’re able to access the subconscious beliefs and patterns that have been driving your behaviour, and through the journey, you receive the guidance you need to transform them.
Discovering Your Golden Shadow: Unleashing Your Potential
Shadow work isn’t just about addressing the parts of yourself that hold you back—it’s also about discovering your golden shadow. This is the part of you that holds all your untapped potential, your hidden talents, and your unique brilliance. It’s everything you could be but haven’t yet fully stepped into.
As an entrepreneur, recognising your golden shadow is like unlocking a hidden reservoir of energy and inspiration. It’s the part of you that is ready to embrace bigger opportunities, take bolder steps, and move forward with greater confidence. Often, we fear stepping into our full potential because we’re afraid we’re not ready or not good enough. Shadow work helps you break through those fears and realise that you have everything you need to succeed—right here, right now.
Imagine the possibilities when you no longer let fear hold you back. By embracing your golden shadow, you allow yourself to take inspired action towards your goals and dreams. This is where true business success starts to unfold because you’re not just operating from a place of strategy—you’re leading with your full power and potential.
Let’s go back to my self-sabotage of my sales calls. I hate sales calls, but was always comfortable on stage, talking about potential, sharing anecdotes and spiritual information. The public speaker in me was part of my golden shadow. The self-saboteur of sales calls, a shadow aspect conditioned to believe she must fit in and do things in a certain way – often failing – because, well, one size does not fit all!
Breaking Through Business Barriers with Shadow Work and Shamanic Journeying
Accessing your golden shadow and exploring your conditioned beliefs is a powerful way to move through your glass ceiling and achieve the next levels of success in your business.
As an entrepreneur, integrating shadow work with shamanic journeying can be the key. It’s not about fixing something that’s wrong with you—it’s about unlocking the full spectrum of who you are so that you can lead your business with confidence, clarity, and purpose.
Think about the moments when you’ve felt stuck or unsure in your business. Often, these feelings are tied to subconscious patterns or beliefs that you’ve carried with you for years. The four main patterns that are easy to recognise are self-sabotage, distraction, being a busy fool, over-giving.
Shadow work allows you to identify these patterns, in particular those specific to you and transform them. Shamanic journeying helps you access the deeper wisdom that can guide you forward.
Together, these practices create a powerful synergy that propels you towards personal growth and business success. You’ll start to notice that challenges no longer feel like obstacles but rather opportunities to grow, learn, and expand. You’ll feel more connected to your purpose, more confident in your abilities, and more aligned with the vision you have for your business.
A Path to Personal Growth and Spiritual Development
At the heart of shadow work and shamanic journeying is the opportunity for personal growth and spiritual development. As entrepreneurs, we often focus on external strategies for business success, but the real transformation happens within. When you do the inner work—when you explore your shadow, integrate it, and step into your golden potential—you create the foundation for long-lasting success in both your business and personal life, I’ve been witness to many clients investing in inner work and finding their external success expanded in ways they could not have imagined or hoped for.
These practices help you cultivate resilience, clarity, and a deeper connection to your own inner wisdom. They give you the tools to navigate challenges with grace, embrace opportunities with confidence, and lead your business from a place of authenticity and strength.
Conclusion: Embrace the Fullness of Who You Are
Shadow work and shamanic journeying aren’t about fixing what’s broken—they’re about unlocking the fullness of who you are. They help you embrace both the light and the dark, the seen and the unseen, and everything that makes you the powerful, creative, and capable entrepreneur you are. By integrating these practices into your inner game, you’ll find yourself breaking through barriers, achieving greater success, and stepping into the next level of your personal and professional life with ease and confidence.
Are you ready to embrace your shadow, uncover your golden potential, and unlock new levels of business success? The journey starts within.
And if you’d like my support in discovering your Golden Shadow, I’m currently offering one off transformational 1-1 sessions. If you’re interested contact me here!
