Darkness falls

facing your demons, acknowledging faults, self-compassion

Within you live the hidden, the things that want nothing more than to swallow you whole.

Your higher self chose this card because you have faults and have made mistakes. It's true that some mistakes are more costly than others, but no one lives a perfect life by any means. When you've made a misstep or when your faults put you in a sticky situation, defense mode can feel like a natural response. The wound from feeling 'less than' has likely already triggered self-criticism, doubt and even anger, and then to also bear the weight of someone else's disappointment, pain, anger or criticism can feel like too much to carry. Before you know it, darkness has fallen and you're operating from a shadowy place rather than standing in your light and giving yourself some grace.

You have pulled Darkness falls because you're experiencing your situation from a dark place and reacting defensively. Every story has two sides, and it may be time to consider whether or not you also share some blame in your current circumstances. This card does not guide you to view yourself in a negative light but to act as a neutral bystander who is merely curious and observant. How might you advise a friend who is experiencing similar circumstances: would you guide them to calm down and take deep breaths, explain to them how they might be wrong in this situation or even say sorry? You might find clarity and the answers needed for a positive resolution once you observe your circumstances from the outside rather than deep inside your shadow. Perhaps you will discover you were right all along, or maybe you'll be forced to acknowledge your own faults.

As C.S. Lewis said: 'You can't go back and change the beginning but you can start where you are and change the ending.'