This pathworking/guided meditation was debuted at a recent Church of the Morningstar mass. Pop-culture magic meets shadow work in this exercise. It was a big hit and proved surprisingly revealing and productive for many congregants.

This meditation is a safe and gentle intro to shadow work. Fictional villains are archetypal figures who can hold up a mirror to our darker qualities. But they also often have positive qualities we can’t help but admire and enjoy– brashness, confidence, power, style, sardonic humor, sensuality, seductive charm. Our shadows also contain such qualities, because the shadow is made of everything we are afraid to embody– not just the negative and evil, but also things we are afraid to be because we don’t think we deserve to. 

So close your eyes and prepare to meet the villain in you. 

Breathe slow and deep, relax your body. Imagine a bubble of light surrounding you. It can be whatever color you prefer. Maybe it’s even made of darkness. This is your shield. It will protect you from all attacks. It will keep you safe as you explore your villain’s realm and interact with them. 

Find yourself in your favorite villain’s lair. You might be in Dracula’s castle, or on the bridge of the Death Star, or deep under the sea with the witch Ursula. You are in their home, but you don’t see the villain yet. Wherever they are, whatever their domain may be, explore it for a while. Soak in the atmosphere. Examine the objects there. Do you see weapons? Ominous objects like skulls or bottles of poison? Sinister magical tools? 

Notice the colors of your surroundings, the symbolism. What does the air smell like? Is it cool or warm? 

Are there any other creatures? Pets or sinister familiars? If your villain has an animal companion, what does that animal symbolize?

You venture deeper into the lair. You are not afraid, you know that you are safe here and even welcome. As you continue, take in as much detail as you can.

At last, you come face to face with your villain. They notice you immediately but they don’t speak to you yet, just look back at you, studying you and measuring you up. They do not seem to be hostile to you or to regard you as an enemy. Take a few minutes to seize your villain up while they are looking you over. Notice their appearance, what they are wearing, their expression. Do they seem tense or relaxed? What kind of mood are they in?

At last, the villain speaks– classic villain dialog, cliche for a reason:

“We’re not so different, you and I,” they say. 

The villain begins to tell you why you are similar. Listen to what they say without judgment or defensiveness. Some of it might hurt, but all of it will be interesting. Some of it might even be inspiring. Some of it might not be accurate–villains are known to project!– but let yourself at least consider it all. 

Try to have compassion for this individual as they talk to you. 

When they have finished listing out and detailing your similarities, they come close and look you right in the eye. “If you can sympathize even with me,” they say, “Maybe you can sympathize with yourself.” 

This villain, this avatar of wickedness, proceeds to offer you some token of affection and respect– a hug, a handshake, a slight bow or nod of the head, a punch on the arm, a kiss on the cheek– whatever is in character for them. 

They then turn away and swagger, saunter, slink, sway or stalk off into the shadows. 

Their lair begins to fade away around you until you find yourself back in your body, sitting here in this room. 

Open your eyes, and get ready to quickly journal this experience. 

POST MEDITATION JOURNAL

What were the colors in the villain’s realm? What could they mean?

What objects did you see? What might they symbolize?

If you had to choose one of the classical elements of earth, air, fire or water, which one is most associated with this villain?

Which tarot suit do they seem most related to?

Which tarot card?

What do you think their astrological sign might be?

If your villain is associated with an animal (a pet, a familiar, a form they transform into), what does that animal symbolize?

What does your villain’s personal style say about them? Does it appeal to you?

What did your villain say to you? Write it all down without worrying about how much of it was true. You can work all of that out later.