Quiz: Do You Need Shadow Work? (Persephone Test)
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BY NICOLE LAU
Are you being called to descend? This quiz reveals if you need shadow work right now - and how deep you need to go. Like Persephone's descent into the underworld, shadow work transforms you. Take the test!
How to Take This Quiz
Answer YES or NO to each question. Count your YES answers at the end!
The Quiz
1. Do you feel like something is "off" but can't name it?
YES / NO
2. Do you judge others harshly for traits you deny in yourself?
YES / NO
3. Do you have repeating patterns in relationships or life?
YES / NO
4. Do you avoid certain emotions (anger, sadness, fear)?
YES / NO
5. Do you feel like you're wearing a mask?
YES / NO
6. Do you have unexplained anxiety or depression?
YES / NO
7. Do you sabotage your own success?
YES / NO
8. Do you feel disconnected from your true self?
YES / NO
9. Do you have parts of yourself you're ashamed of?
YES / NO
10. Do you feel called to go deeper but are afraid?
YES / NO
Your Results
0-2 YES: You Don't Need Shadow Work Right Now
You're in the Light
You're currently integrated and whole. Your shadow is not calling you right now. Focus on maintaining your light and enjoying this phase.
What to Do: Celebrate your wholeness, share your light, enjoy this season
3-5 YES: Light Shadow Work Needed
Surface Level Descent
You have some shadow material to explore, but it's not deep. Light shadow work will help you integrate these parts.
What to Do: Journal on your patterns, notice your triggers, gentle self-inquiry
Your Shadow Work Tools:
Eleusinian Mysteries Journal - Track your shadow work
6-8 YES: Deep Shadow Work Needed
Persephone's Descent
You're being called to descend. Like Persephone, you need to go into the underworld of your psyche. Deep shadow work is calling you.
What to Do: Work with a therapist or guide, deep journaling, face your shadow directly
Your Shadow Work Tools:
Eleusinian Mysteries Journal - Deep shadow tracking
Persephone Descent Candle - Ritual support for descent
9-10 YES: You're Already in the Underworld
The Dark Night of the Soul
You're already in deep shadow work, whether you chose it or not. This is the dark night of the soul. You're in Persephone's underworld right now.
What to Do: Don't resist the darkness. This is initiation. Get support. Trust the process.
Your Shadow Work Tools:
Eleusinian Mysteries Journal - Document your descent
Persephone Descent Candle - Light in the darkness
What is Shadow Work?
Shadow work is facing the parts of yourself you've denied, rejected, or hidden. It's descending into your inner underworld to integrate what you've pushed away.
Why It Matters: What you don't face controls you. Shadow work sets you free.
The Persephone Myth
Persephone was taken to the underworld. At first, it seemed like a curse. But she became Queen of the Underworld - powerful, wise, transformed. Her descent was her initiation.
Your descent is your initiation too.
How to Do Shadow Work
1. Notice Your Triggers
What makes you react strongly? That's shadow material.
2. Journal Your Patterns
What keeps repeating? That's your shadow trying to be seen.
3. Face What You Avoid
What emotions do you push away? Go toward them.
4. Integrate, Don't Reject
Your shadow isn't bad. It's just hidden. Bring it into light.
Signs You're Ready
- Life is falling apart
- You feel called to go deeper
- You're tired of your patterns
- You're ready to face the truth
- You want to be whole
The descent is not a punishment. It's an initiation. Like Persephone, you will emerge transformed. In the depth of that transformation, I've found the Shadow Work Tarot to be a profound mirror for the internal locus of practice, the Jung and the Archetype guide illuminates the very bridges of the unconscious we're crossing, and the 13 New Moon Rituals offer a cycle of lunar beginnings to honor each step of the journey.
