Ways To Work With the Shadow Self, An Interview with Granddaughter Crow

An interview by Amber C. Snider

In her latest book Shamanism and Your Shadow, Navajo shaman and author Granddaughter Crow (Dr. Joy) helps readers work with their shadow self through a series of guided meditations, spirit animals, somatic exercises, and much more. Read our exclusive interview here with a deep dive into this magical practice and book. 

Enchantments’ editor and author Amber C. Snider discusses the profound lessons of spirit and shadow found within Crow’s beautiful new book from Llewellyn Worldwide (February 2025), including the role of the shaman, trauma work, and ways we can consciously work with this energy. As Crow says, the shadow self is a “powerful energy that you can tap into, but only if you wish,” adding that it’s not something to be afraid of, but rather one of the “most powerful aspects” of the self. 

Amber C. Snider: I’m fascinated by the idea you present in chapter two “Biology of the Shadow,” where you posit that some of our shadow may come from our DNA, as inherited from our ancestors. I’ve often wondered if that’s also true with trauma — as in, whether that is also somehow “passed down” and inherited across generations. What do you think we can do to heal or incorporate the shadow self back into our lives in healthy ways?

Granddaughter Crow: Yes, there are a lot of credible studies that examine “historical trauma,” as well as other names that this phenomenon expresses. The more we delve into this concept, the more we are able to understand that we are a part of something larger than ourselves. Not only from a position of “trauma”, but also from a position of “gifts” – inherited gifts.

Which leads me to your question about healing and incorporating the shadow self back into our lives in healthy ways. It is to understand that the shadow not only may hold trauma, but it can also be a storehouse of hidden gifts. For example, let’s say that one of your readers remembers seeing ghosts or spirits when they are young, but that gift is now lost to them due to their incorporation into the household or social group that they were born into. The gifts still remain, they are simply hidden in the shadow.

Recognizing that your shadow holds gifts, as well as a deeper understanding of self; makes the journey of shadow work more balanced, beneficial, and also an exciting journey. This is why I wrote the book from a Shamanistic perspective – because Shamanism looks to the natural world for wisdom. Everything that touches light in the natural world, has a shadow. The shadow is natural and organic – not something to be feared and discarded. Simply understanding this can make the journey with the shadow so rewarding.

ACS: You also mentioned that the shadow self may stem from repressing the authentic parts of ourselves and the importance of reassessing our individual and collective moral codes (which is a Nietzschean thought). What are the dangers of not readdressing and examining our moral codes? Tangentially, what is your advice in regards to breaking through repression of any kind and why is that important?
GC: Great question. The answer actually flows from the example that I shared above about a child who has “intuition” or “psychic gifts” but they are repressed or hidden within their shadow. Note: when I say “shadow”, I am not referring to the negative dark side of ourselves explicitly. Moreover, I am referring to the “hidden” aspects of ourselves. In the shadow, we may also hide our gifts that might not be accepted by the social groups that we were raised into. Hence, aspects of our authentic self may also be hidden.

Yes, Nietzsche examines the idea of morality. Our moral code adjusts between different groups, around the globe, and throughout time. It differs and is not stagnant due to evolution within each culture. However, if we do not question or examine our moral code to see if it is aligned with our current life, we limit our understanding of new thoughts, new ideas, new ways of looking at the world. Inevitably, without questioning, reexamining, and adapting… we close our minds, and slowly our minds will become emaciated without new stimulation and eventually bring harm to ourselves and others. 
 
I would highly recommend that we keep an open mind. Even if we do not necessarily agree, we at least consider other thoughts in order to stimulate our ideals. Here is an example. There was a time in U.S. history that the moral code was to take Indigenous people and place them into a boarding/residential school. Thankfully, we reexamined that “moral code.”  Keeping an open mind, and asking questions can lead us away from repression, and lead us individually and collectively into liberation.

Photo by Anne Nygård on Unsplash

ACS: How can somatic experiences help with trauma? Can you give us some concrete examples of this, as well as your definition of somatic experiences, as you describe in the book?
GC: Absolutely, the term “somatic” or phrase “somatic experiences” simply means to feel it within the physical body – to be body centered when looking at emotional or mental experiences. As a Navajo, and as a Shaman, I view the world from the position of the four bodies of existence. In short, I define the four bodies as having an awareness of the physical body, emotional body, mental body, and spiritual body. Within this school of thought, I recognize that all experiences will be held within the physical body. Meaning that emotional, mental, and spiritual experiences will eventually express themselves within our physical body.

Hence, if we are working on an unresolved deep emotion that we have experienced from our past, it is expressed within our physical body and how we carry ourselves or how much we will engage within new situations. For example, my physical body might experience a nervousness or shyness around certain situations due to unresolved past experiences.

All is energy. Energy seeks its freedom. Freedom comes through movement. If all experiences are housed within the body, if we move the body through somatic experiences…we can also heal emotional, mental, and spiritual situations that are also seeking freedom and liberty.

ACS: What is the role of the shaman? 
GC: The shaman is the intermediary between the natural world and assisting others to gain the wisdom of the natural world in order to live a healthy and well-balanced life – in short. The reason that I chose to approach the topic of shadow work from the position of the shaman is because it brings to the subject of shadow work a natural organic perspective vs. a taboo shadow perspective. Meaning that everything that is touched by the light is also touched by the shadow. It is not taboo – it is natural. 

This is a dynamic book. At times, the reader might assume that I am the shaman as I wrote this book. At times, the reader might look to the spirit of the animals to be the shaman. At times, the reader might catch the sense that they or their shadow is the shaman that has led them to this book – to this shadow work. The truth is, all of these perspectives are true. I am a shaman and I wrote this book. The spirit animals are shaman. And if this book led you to a place within yourself that you become the intermediary between the natural world and bring that wisdom into your life – to you… you are shaman. Be your greatness!

ACS: In chapter three, you describe your personal journey finding your “power spot.” Can you describe what a power spot is for readers? And how can it benefit their spiritual journey?
GC: Have you ever been on a walk in the park, in the mountains, or on the beach and you are looking for that one spot that you can rest and relax in. The perfect spot that you simply are drawn to, and you simply know it when you find it? Yes, this is your “power spot”. It is a spot that is within the natural world that feels just right.

Do this with intention, locate a place within the natural world that is just right for you to feel comfortable so that you can be you. This is a great spot to rest, relax, and rejuvenate. It is also a great spot to meditate, journal, and connect with the divine as it reveals itself to you.

This is a very basic way of explaining an over complicated idea. A power spot can be in your own garden, or wherever you feel “just right”. When you find your power spot, you are able to connect more deeply – because you feel safe and can relax. Note that we don’t only get one power spot, there are power spots everywhere that we go. However, if you are unable to make the physical trip to the power spot that you visited in your past, you are able to envision it while you are meditating or journaling for your spiritual growth. A power spot is a place within the natural world that can only be recognized by you. It is yours.

ACS: You also discuss “spiritual ethics,” which I also think is very important. In your book, you describe how it’s not okay to “peer into” someone’s energetic field without their permission. How can we, as spiritual practitioners, help others using our innate and learned gifts, while maintaining this standard of ethics? Why is it important?
GC: This is a great question, as one cannot necessarily “turn off” their spiritual insights about others simply because “they were not invited.” Once again, I will break this down into a concept that makes ethical sense.

Just because I can see, it doesn’t give me the permission to share with everyone what I see. Just because I can hear, it doesn’t give me permission to listen and interject my opinion. Just because I can sense something, it doesn’t mean that I have the right to impose my impressions. It simply means that I can see, hear, and sense. And so, it is with our spiritual gifts. I respect that I have gifts, and I also respect the other.

Yes, I do “peer into” – I cannot help it. However, that doesn't mean that it is any of my business. I respectfully wait to be invited – otherwise, it is something that I simply saw, heard, or sensed. Allow people to be who they are, where they are, and express themselves as they do without imposing on their free will. This is my personal stance in my spiritual ethics. Understanding that there are many different situations; however, this is my rule of thumb. For me it is about honoring free will and treating others with the respect that I would like to be treated with.
 

Photo by Sonny Mauricio on Unsplash

ACS: In the latter half of the book, when you discuss practices and techniques to work with the shadow self, you include spirit animals, one of which is the raven. Within that section, you describe a fascinating experience of cord cutting using a feather. I also briefly described cord cutting in my own book, Wonderment, however, I wanted to know your thoughts about cutting cords at the soul level with others and how/why that may or may not be a good idea. 
GC: I love the spirit of the Raven section, as Granddaughter Crow the Raven spirit is kindred to me - as are all animals. Cord cutting is a very sacred act. When a person considers this, I would advise them to consider a tree or a plant. Here are the considerations: Are you pruning the plant for future growth or are you cutting something that will ultimately prevent future growth?

There are limbs and roots that can be cut in order to promote growth. There are limbs and roots that should be considered as it may stunt the growth – heal a tap root, don’t cut it. This is going to be decided on a case-by-case basis. Consider a plant, and you will know when and where to cut it.

ACS: You also mentioned a fascinating story about helping your friend cut energetic cords from her ex-partner. Can you describe that experience?
GC: Yes, I am happy to share the experience. When I was first starting out in my practice. I did a cord cutting for a friend of mine and her ex-lover because she asked me to. I didn’t realize how powerful it was, nor did I recognize the repercussions. After I cut the cord between my friend and her ex… her ex called her and said, “Where are you! You left me – you didn’t give me a chance to say goodbye and it hurt.” Her ex felt the separation of the cord cutting between them almost immediately. It showed me that it was real and powerful. It also showed me to consider the others point of view.

Be a good gardener, cut when it is necessary for growth while keeping in mind what you are cutting.

ACS: The Ingress and Portal sections of your book are such beautiful guided meditations. How should one practice them? By reading aloud or perhaps recording their own voice reading it back?
GC: Thank you so much for asking this question! It is something that me and my husband have been considering as he was the one to write the Ingress and Portal sections within the book – the guided meditation sections.

I have a treasure for you. You do not need to read nor record these sections as we did it for you in our newly released “Journey into Shadows” on my YouTube Channel @GranddaughterCrow, and wherever someone gets their podcasts under my podcast Belief, Being, & BEYOND. Here is the link to the meditations. We have compiled an audio version with chapters so that a listener is able to jump straight to the audio version of the Ingress and Portal meditations within the book.

Granddaughter Crow (Dr. Joy Gray) is an author, medicine woman, public speaker, teacher, and intuitive reader. Descended from a long line of spiritual leaders, she is an empath, medium, and member of the Navajo Nation. She was voted Woman of the Year in 2015 by the National Association of Professional Women (NAPW). Visit her at GranddaughterCrow.com.