Gwyn ap Nudd
Ancient British God & Hero
The Shadow Archetype refers to all our behaviourisms which are not consciously controlled. Whilst the faults of others can be regularly observed, we tend to conceal from ourselves what we disapprove about our own natures. However, just as we can see those faults in others so they can see ours and the very thing we think is a problem in another, could be the fact that it reflects a behaviourism in ourselves we are in denial of.
To be in denial of our own personality is to see ourselves inaccurately, however to become more consciously controlled is to access our unconscious difficulties and in owning what we would disown enables our change.
When we disown what we dislike about ourselves we generally project that fault onto another. We blame or let others take the responsibility for what is ours - it is the other driver's fault, it was the car we were driving, it was the road itself. It may have been all down to the weather!
The failure to accept what we are responsible for can place us in a less able place to judge ourselves and the actions of others. We can make unhelpful decisions, be poor role models and create unnecessary problems because of our failing attitudes. However, when we pull together all that our nature consists of, irrespective of whether we like it, we begin to become more aware, more able and more responsible. We can keep our distance from other drivers, we can make allowances for the road and the weather conditions and we can allow more time and less haste for our journey ahead.
To be in control of how we behave can enable us to behave more effectively in our relationships. The reward for our self development can improve how we relate.
As you proceed with this part of the Gwynvyd Method you will work with Gwyn, the Lord of Shadows in order to know your own. To begin, you will:
1. complete a task with no assistance.
2. answer a series of questions honestly.
As the work you do is personal to your development it must be undertaken personally. The questions that are asked of you must therefore be asked of yourself.
The Task:
The making a black mirror:
Go
to a charity shop and buy a picture frame with glass that can be
removed.
Go
to a hardware shop and buy a small can of black spray paint.
When
you have returned home lay out some old newspaper and on top of it
separate the glass from the frame.
Put
the frame aside and after having shaken the can, spray the glass black.
If
you wish to paint the frame another colour you could do this now and
then leave both frame and glass to dry.
Put
the glass and frame back together and you now have a black mirror to
hang somewhere, ideally your bedroom.
The mirror you have made belongs in a place where you will regularly pass it. Become familiar with this mirror. Change its hanging place occasionally and if possible, hang it where another mirror may reflect it. At different intervals look at your new mirror face onwards and look at it sideways. Occasionally walk pass using your periphery vision only. Even when perceived as like a shadow you know the image is yours.
Don't be alarmed if at first you feel uncomfortable looking into a black mirror. If you feel unease it may be that you are unconsciously aware of unidentifiable aspects of your personality. You want to become conscious of them. You want to identify exactly who you are. What does your identity mean to you? Are you who you think you are?
Take the mirror off the wall and hold it before you. Look at yourself and stare into the darkness. Know your own darkness. Allow yourself time to think about this. When you are ready replace the mirror on the wall and on the next occasion you remove it, ask yourself one of the following five questions first and then become conscious of your answer:
The Questions:
1. Am I in conflict?
Do you often feel on edge? Do you have mood swings?
As our self conflicts are usually reflected in how we relate to others it may be helpful to look at our relationships and consider it we have an issue with a friend or family member? Could you repair an unresolved issue? Could you respectfully close what you believe cannot be repaired?
The diplomacy we employ with others can redeploy our lives.
2. Am I negative?
Do you see the worse in situations and think everyone is seeing the worse in you? Do you give negative gifts of possessiveness, selfishness and jealousy?
When we think the worse we trap ourselves within our worse fears, however if we see the best in any situation, as well as the best that may yet arise out of it, we can become more liberated. Could you be more trusting, giving and sensitive to another’s feelings? Could you be more aware of what others need so you may more positively respond?
To give gifts of respect is to gain self respect.
3. What are my values?
Do you disturb others with loud behaviour? Do you keep any lost item found?
If our life is about 'getting away with it' - gaining all we can from others but giving little in return - our set of values may be limiting our potential. An effective moral code can help us make responsible decisions from which we can perform responsible actions. Could you do favours without expecting a favour returned? Could you treat others with the respect you would want to receive?
Being honest with others is being true to ourselves.
4. Am I happy?
Do you blame others for your unhappiness? Are you expectant of rewards to induce your happiness?
If our sense of happiness appears to be avoiding us it might be that we haven’t identified what it is? Generally we experience it as a state of well-being but may confuse that with earning more money and owning more things. If we perceive this as our only mark of success we may feel unhappy if we never achieve it. Could you enjoy life and be in love with living? Could you award yourself personally for achieving your personal best?
When we are realistic about our happiness we become genuine in our pursuits.
5. Am I always changing my mind?
Do you find it hard to make decisions? Do you make arrangements and then let others down?
To make any decision is an outcome of mental processes. It enables us to produce our ability to choose, upon which we can either produce an action or an opinion. Could you gather more information before you make a decision? Could you commit to every arrangement and meet each one on time?
To be relied on is an honour, to be reliable is tribute earned.
Well done! You may continue to phrase your own questions or if you wish, return to this area again later. Alternatively, you can enter another area of the Gwynvyd Method.
Reference Sources/Links