Groundhog Day

Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, 1993

An ancient Imbolc tradition was the divination of the end of Winter. Old tales tell of the Cailleach gathering sticks to determine remaining fires, or the bone hag staying in bed on foul weather as Winter contracted to an early end.

These tales evolved into local folklore including a favourite, immortalised in film, featuring a groundhog with a name longer than its body whose fear of his shadow determined how long he stayed underground and Winter continued. No better metaphor for humanity and its fractured relationship to its own darknesses.

This curious reticence we maintain, doing anything but face the bitter chill of our own shadow. In the last few years particularly we have seen it over and over again structurally, politically and personally. A sturdy refusal to acknowledge the gaslit past in order to heal its damage and craft a braver truer future.

Fortunately everything in Aquaria is not having a bar of it. Not no more. One does not revolutionise thy world through denial, projection and blame nor by maintaining the status bro. Though narcissists and naysayers will keep trying, we can all smell the fear of revelation. We know it personally. Truth emerges from the well roaring with good reason. There is no liberation without her.

Shadow work only begins when you can truly madly deeply acknowledge your own groundhog days; the shit that happens on repeat where you are the inconveniently common element. We'll do it over and over again until we get sick of the same outcome and long for a different ending. Shadow work is the only way to outwit your personal definition of insanity.

As we slipstream deep into the alternative dimensions of Aquaria, its kaleidoscopic frame takes our broken glass and creates something beautiful through its moving pictures. A dance of shadow and light that you can choreograph to end the winter of your discontent. Or tuck back in for more of the same.

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I'm not going to live by their rules anymore
~ Phil Connors, Groundhog Day

Now is the best time ever to dive into your shadow. If you are seeking a way that offers solid support, experience, guidance and the dark humour required to face shadow and make light, I'm your witch. Find our more about shadow work here.