Trace the Roots: Shadow Excavation, Dark Moon Approach

As the dark moon approaches, the world seems to still itself. Shadows lengthen, and what has been hidden beneath the surface begins to stir.

This is not the bright bloom of summer, nor the gentle shine of a waxing crescent. The dark moon calls us inward, into the quiet soil of ourselves, asking us to sit in the places that don’t always see daylight.

This is not about punishment or fear. It is about compassion for the roots we carry. Some are tangled, some strong, some knotted around old stories that no longer feed us. The dark moon offers the chance to gently untwist them, to notice what is suffocating our growth, and to offer it back to the dark for transformation.

Excavating with Care

Shadow work is often spoken of as battle, but it doesn’t need to be. You don’t have to conquer yourself. You only need to listen. Notice where your thoughts loop, where an old fear still whispers, where a hurt resurfaces when the night grows quiet.

These are the roots to trace, not to rip out, but to touch gently and decide if they still serve you.

A Root Candle Ritual

You’ll need:

– A small black or brown candle (a tea light will do)

– A bowl of soil, sand, or a pot plant

– Paper and pen

1. Light your candle and place it beside the bowl of earth. Let the flame remind you there is always light beneath the soil.

2. Write down the patterns, fears, or old stories you are ready to trace and perhaps release.

3. Tear the paper into strips. For each strip, bury it into the soil with your fingers, whispering as you press it down:“I return this to the dark. Let it feed what will grow true.”

4. Sit with the candle until it burns low, allowing the act of burial to settle into your body.

5. Later, you may compost the soil, plant seeds in it, or scatter it beneath a tree. The earth transforms what you’ve given back.

Why the Soil?

Earth does not fear your shadows. It holds everything without judgement, letting decay feed new life. By offering your words back to the soil, you step into an ancient truth: that endings are never just endings. They are compost. They are beginnings in waiting.

As we move through this dark moon, remember that shadow excavation is not about fixing yourself. It is about tending the roots, listening for what is true, and trusting that even the darkest places are fertile ground.