The Secret I Carried
For years, I carried a secret: I was desperately addicted to cigarettes.
The shame was crushing. I was terrified anyone would find out. I’d hide, like a junkie in back alleys, making sure no one knew. I even had boyfriends who never discovered it.
I always lived alone, so my secret stayed safe.
I tried quitting almost every single day. If you’ve ever struggled with addiction, you know the chaotic madness of that. I’d start the day determined—this time, I’ll stop. By the afternoon, the cravings were so overwhelming that nothing else mattered.
At one point, I even tried chewing tobacco. With my asthma, I thought chewing would be better than smoking. I tried gum, patches, everything. But I couldn’t make it through a single day without that shame-filled hit of nicotine.
That cycle of craving and self-loathing took its toll.
And this—this is what Jung called the shadow side of ourselves.
The Weight of the Shadow
Our shadows are the parts of ourselves we hide because the shame feels unbearable.
We think they make us unlovable, strange, or like total freaks.
But here’s the truth: hiding those parts demands so much energy. It’s exhausting. I see this over and over with my clients.
We keep secrets. We believe something’s wrong with us. And the secrecy drains our life force.
The Eclipse Portal: Light in the Shadows
This Sunday, the Eclipse Portal opens. And it’s the ideal time to look at our shadows with compassion.
Eclipses literally bring light into the shadow. As the sun and moon pass through one another’s path, light disappears, then reappears. Ancient people feared eclipses because instinctively they knew: eclipses expose what we try to hide.
But instead of fear, I invite you to see this as an opportunity—an alchemical moment to become whole.
Because when we shove shame into the shadows, it doesn’t disappear. It just comes out sideways.
Maybe through binge drinking. Maybe angry outbursts. Maybe overeating or sabotaging our relationships.
We’re not bad people. But when we exile parts of ourselves, those parts demand attention in messy ways.
Astrology, Coaching, and the Shadow
I’m Sheridan, your astrology life coach. I help women who feel overwhelmed, stuck in cycles of self-sabotage, or hiding their shadow, clear the mental junk out so they can make lasting change.
Using astrology and transformational coaching, I guide you to:
✨ Take practical steps to feel more confident
✨ Make supportive decisions
✨ Bring your ideas—and your shadows—into the light
And right now, the cosmos is giving us the perfect portal to begin.
What’s Ahead in This Eclipse Season
This season begins with the Pisces Full Moon Lunar Eclipse. Sadly, it won’t be visible here in the U.S., but the energy runs until the Virgo New Moon Solar Eclipse on September 21st—right at the equinox.
I’ll be teaching a free Equinox workshop on finding balance in our lives. You can register at the link below or in your email.
Here’s the key: prepping for eclipse season doesn’t have to be scary.
Instead of shoving away your shame, let it breathe. You don’t need to fix it or punish yourself. That part of you simply wants recognition and compassion.
As my mentor Nancy Levin says, “It’s about making the unconscious conscious.” That’s the first step.
So let the eclipse shine a little light into your darkness—with love, not judgment.
A Reflection for You
Ask yourself:
👉 What is one small step I can take during this eclipse portal to embrace my shadow so it doesn’t burst out sideways?
If you’re not sure where to begin, or if you’re ready to stop sabotaging yourself, I invite you to book a free Introduction to Astrology Life Coaching Call with me. We’ll see if we’re a good fit to work together on breaking unhealthy patterns so you can become who you truly came here to be.
👉 Click here to schedule your free call.
Final Thoughts
The eclipse portal is a gift. It’s a chance to face your shadows and find empowerment in your wholeness.
Because here’s the truth: every single one of us has warts, shadows, and dark sides. You are not alone.
This equinox, the sun enters Libra—a day of equal light and dark. Mars enters Scorpio on the same day, inviting us deeper into our own mysteries. The timing couldn’t be more powerful.
So blessings on your journey. May this eclipse season guide you into vibrant, alive wholeness—warts, shadows, and all.
See you next Monday.
I’d love to hear what you’re hiding in your shadow—I won’t judge you—send me an email here.
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✨ With love,
Sheridan
Astro Life Coach
