Goldmining the Shadows

by Pixie Lighthorse

The world often encourages us to suppress pain; Goldmining the Shadows asks you to embrace it as a path to acceptance.

Through short and accessible chapters, you will learn to prioritize your healing by honoring the medicine of the wound, “to take responsibility for the parts of yourself you are most driven to deny—to be accountable for what might lie outside of your awareness.”

Pixie is the author of five books centered on self-healing through intimate relationship with the natural world. She is an enrolled member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and writes as Lighthorse to honor the unheard voices of her ancestors.

“Pixie cracks the door open to the shadowy places that exist within our hearts, and then allows us to walk through it with her steady hand as our guide. A beautiful, thoughtful read for the world today.”
— Missy Rhysing, Ritualcravt

Genres: Spirituality, Self Help, Nonfiction, Psychology, Philosophy, Personal Development

160 pages, Hardcover

First published October 8, 2019

Reviews

[Daylee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a good intro to Shadow work for beginners but for those already familiar with concept and process it doesn't have much new to offer. I also felt a lot of sections came away more poetic or preachy than actually informative or "how to".

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Giving this book an actual 3.5 stars. I read this book with the intention of using it as a guide while I embarked on some deep shadow work. I wanted and expected to love this book. Although I love the nuggets of wisdom that I mined from the pages, there weren’t enough of them for me to absolutely love this book. Some of the information shared in certain sections was repeated in a differently phrased way in other sections which made it feel like filler. I also was disappointed that the sections didn’t elaborate on *how* to do xyz and instead gave a quick few sentences. Overall, I’m glad I read the book for the few nuggets I took away. I appreciate the author wanted the sections to be bite-sized but they were too bite-sized for me. It was a decent introduction into shadow work but I was hoping to use it as a guide to go deeper.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgivness flows

The contents of this book allowed me to see my family in a while new way. I had a moment when I had an almost clinical view of my family I was able to step back and see them almost just characters in a book and See the family dynamic.They were all driven by their shadow and trauma that was driven by their parents shadows and trauma and on and on. I saw that the story was destined for a sad ending if something didn't shift. I saw why it didn't. I feel that it's possible for me to be where the sad endings end. I'm committed to find my shadows and re-parent that neglected part of me.

[Andrea *W* · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started out very eager with this book. This was one of my first shadow work books, but I'm not new to the process. I went slow and answered things presented in each chapter. Somewhere in the middle it started unraveling, however. I kept going, but it seemed very redundant and I wasn't finding anything new to push myself on.

The collective mindset towards the end seemed out of place and forced, in my opinion.

This book just wasn't what I was looking for during my journey. I plan on checking out another one of her books, though.

[Dan Mutter · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We’re far too busy dreading, fearing, and trying to make sure we have life insurance and a retirement plan for uncertain times ahead to cultivate new and equitable philosophies to live by.”

I enjoyed the chapters of this books as a daily meditation. Pixie offers humble and clear insight into ego, shadow, grief, and repair.

[Kerin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth reading

This book started out promising but about halfway through it shifts. Several times she contradicts her own message frequently which left me constantly questioning if she knew what she was talking about. For example, saying how it's wrong to disown our inner child by talking about them in 3rd person and then ending the book talking about her shadow as her own unruly children. The transitions in this book are also quite sloppy. The chapters are short which is said to be for the readers benefit but with little connecting them it comes across again as just thrown together.

I tried to like it because but if you are looking for a book on shadow work,there are better ones available.

[Angy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED Boundaries & Protection, which made me really want to read Goldmining the Shadows. Sadly, this one wasn't for me. While I agree in the importance of shadow work and developing an awareness of the hidden parts of oneself in order to heal and integrate a fuller life, I don't think that the advice present in this book was very helpful. A lot of the sections seemed vastly repetitive for me, even though it was a quick read. While beautifully written, I feel like the words of wisdom lacked some substance, and that this book doesn't stand on its own like Boundaries did. Unlike Boundaries, I don't think I'll be re-reading or coming back to this one.

[Michelle Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a good tool for helping you through your process of healing from trauma. Your going to have “ah ha!” moments, explaining what your body/brain and how you are as a person based on certain Shadows. The book explains each shadow and how it effects you.

At the end of the book it has pages to help you after your done working. It helps you communicate what you need to, to explain your process, what your doing, how your trying to heal, helps you explain when you can’t be open with a person you want to communicate effectively. It also helps you understand how to communicate during your growth and struggling to communicate.

[Laura Jayne Tricker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read a few books on shadow work now, as I try to really unpack my past and my anxiety and depression. This one really struck a chord. I feel like I’d actually like the author and we come from the same angle of helping ourselves but also understanding societies shadow. I came to a couple of tearful realisations while I read this which I haven’t before. I think this will be a tool I come back to.

[Serenity J. Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A self help book that actually helps

This book is well written, each chapter a page or two of bite-sized information on healing the wounded inner child. The overall tone is caring, compassionate and hopeful. I would highly recommend this to anyone looking for an ally on their shadow work journey.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Innerwork Broken Down

This book helped unearth aspects of inner-work that frankly terrifies me to explore. The writer broke it down in ways that allowed me to understand why it was important to keep at it and why I resisted. Thank you

[Rachel Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great as a primer on shadow work in general and for people at the beginning of their journey. Not ideal if you've already been doing this work and are looking to go deeper. But that's ok--not every book is for everyone. I still look forward to reading more from this author.

[Esther · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wise and insightful

Offers a light way to honor your shadows. If you are going through a process of healing and taking an honest look in the mirror. This one is for you.

[Sarah Blakeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Nuggets of wisdom for all.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on shadow work.

[Julie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I felt like she was like, "don't listen to your shadow!" but never really said...how

[Erikka · Rating 3 out of 5]

What I read was cool but I didn't finish. It just didn't click for me.

[Melanie Chatten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thought provoking, validating, quick read

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Essential reading, can’t recommend enough

[aly ☆.。.:* · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

This was a very tough read, not in terms of structure and wording but because of its contents. Shadow work has always interested me, since I first heard about it. I bought this book 3 years ago, read a few pages and never picked it up again. I've been getting into self discovery and care lately and I thought this would be perfect to pick up now.

It was promising in the beginning and it did teach me a lot but it began to feel repetitive, like I wasn't learning anything new and just hearing the same thing over and over again. I'd say its a good opener for shadow work because it's easy and doesn't overwhelm you with a lot of information. But I know I will probably end up reading another book on this topic eventually.

Deep inner healing is scary!! I thought I had been doing it since I was 12 but I never thought to really look back on things that have affected me from a young age till more recently. It was always more of a work-on-whats-going-on-now kind of ordeal. + We are constantly changing and learning things about ourselves and those around us!

Overall, I don't regret reading this and putting so many notes and annotations into it, but I wish the information wasn't so repetitive!

[Jupiter Moons · Rating 3 out of 5]

"This book speaks directly to the soul and says 'here you go, this is the work you've been waiting to do.' This accessible way in is going to make the collective work all the more possible."

Amanda Stuermer- World Muse Founder