10 Ways to Work With Lilith

As the sun makes its way through Cancer, the mother archetype, it forms a conjunction to Black Moon Lilith. This placement brings a darkness to the mother, as it symbolizes feminine anger, sexuality, rebelliousness, and defiance. Lilith is connected to the sheer power and rage that comes with oppression (particularly pertaining to the patriarchy). It’s uncanny that our current astrological climate reflects where we are as a collective. With the overturn of Roe vs Wade, women are rising together in rebellion, rage, and activism. However, when Lilith appears in the chart, it’s an invitation to dig DEEP, and do some shadow work. Working with this goddess can shed light on how to best channel our rebellion and anger. It calls us to take responsibility for our darkness within, its power, and how to best channel it.

First, le't’s unpack the mythology surrounding Lilith.

In the story of Adam and Eve, Lilith was said to be Adam’s first wife. However, unlike Eve who was born from Adam’s rib, Lilith was born from clay along with Adam, making them equals. When Lilith refused to submissively lie beneath him during sexual intercourse, Adam became enraged. Lilith angrily fled the Garden of Eden, and would not return. In her defiance, she was transformed into a demon and became a symbol for the dark feminine. Lilith now represents shadow, sexuality, sensuality, dark desires, rebelliousness, oppression, and more.

Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist and founder of shadow work, recognized the divine feminine as the ‘anima archetype’. He regarded Lilith as a “shamanistic anima” that helps transcend shadow and the repressed feminine. Jung also said that in order to integrate the shadow, one must recognize it as real.

I want to acknowledge that it’ll take MUCH more than just shadow work, spiritual practice, and emotional processing to make a collective difference. We’ll need to speak up, fight, and raise money as well. I also recognize that this is a world full of different realities, and if this article doesn’t speak to where you are right now, this is OKAY! But if it’s speaking to you so far, here’s a great place to start in order to process some of the ‘difficult’ emotions, and take action….

10 ways to work with Lilith:

1. Call upon Lilith: You can call upon this dark goddess before doing any of the following suggestions. Ask her for guidance, wisdom, deeper understanding, or transcendence. You can also refer to these correspondences for altar work, or anything else that is calling to you.

   Lilith’s Correspondences:

   Colors: Red, black, and orange

   Herbs: Peony, rose, mugwort, sandalwood, sage, and patchouli, belladonna (caution - poisonous), nightshade (caution - poisonous), hemlock (caution - poisonous)

   Tools: Mirror, tarot, and feathers

   Crystals: Carnelian, onyx, red jasper, obsidian, clear quartz, amythest, black moonstone, and nuummite.

    

2. Shadow Work (specifically around feminism and the anima): Notice what is being triggered within you, and if it feels familiar. It could be part of repeating patterns that stem from beliefs, thoughts, outlooks, behaviors, etc. that were formed long ago by past experiences. For example, if Roe vs Wade triggers an unconscious black and white belief that ‘all men can’t be trusted’, it may be wise to see this belief for what it is, and hold compassion for where it might stem from. It’s always important to question your patterning, and how it is impacting your current reality. This is also a great time to do  dream work and contemplation around the anima.

3. Process your anger: We often shame anger and suppress it out of fear. However, this can lead to problems in the long run. There are healthy ways to fully feel your anger, such as screaming into a pillow, punching a pillow, channeling your emotions into a journal, and even throwing plates or eggs outside. There are also ‘rage rooms’ available where you can take a big wooden bat to some fragile and breakable items. In order to process your anger, we have to recognize it as real, valid, and okay to feel. You can also get creative by drawing, creating music, or writing poetry. It’s important to build awareness around how you’re processing your anger, and give yourself a safe outlet for this.

4. Mirror Gazing: Mirror gazing is a powerful technique for helping you get vulnerable, and meet your truth. Sometimes, it can feel easier to block out emotions. While this is sometimes necessary in certain situations, it’s also important to know when it’s appropriate to really process your experience. Consider calling upon Lilith before mirror gazing. Ask her to help you see repressed anger, rage, or any other difficult emotions coming up during this time. Stare into your eyes, and see into your own soul. Let yourself cry, and channel the Cancer mother archetype. You can hold your inner child, self-sooth, and give yourself what you are really needing.

5. Move your body: When our body is holding onto anger, it can manifest as physical pain, emotional irritation, problems sleeping, etc. Sometimes, your body just needs to move in order to process the energy. Consider going for a run, dancing, going to the gym, or going for a walk.

6. Tuning into the sacral center: The sacral chakra holds sexual and creative energy, which is associated with Lilith. If you feel called to work with your sex center and tune into any pain in this area, consider doing a meditation, massage work, breath work, etc involving the sacral chakra.

   Sacral Chakra Correspondences:

   Color: Orange

   Location: Lower Stomach/Pelvis

   Crystals: Orange Sapphire, Carnelian, Tiger’s Eye, Red Gold stone, Imperial Topaz

   Herbs: Coriander, Calendula, Fennel, Licorice, Cinnamon, Vanilla

7. Activism: Consider getting involved in fundraisers, protests, rallies, and any other movements that support women’s rights and reproductive health. This includes all people who identify as female.

8. Know your truth, and advocate for it: Lilith is rebellious. She represents autonomy, and standing for truth even if it goes against popular opinion. During this time, it’s important that we take some time to tune out the opinions, voices, and views of others so we can tune into OURSELVES. What is YOUR truth? How do YOU feel? What is real for YOU? It’s not only important to know your truth, but to also speak up, share it, and advocate for it.

9. Look up where Black Moon Lilith falls in your natal chart: Astrology is a great tool to bring you closer to yourself, and your truth. Everyone has a Lilith placement in their natal chart (actually, there are multiple kinds of Lilith’s, but Black Moon Lilith is the most commonly interpreted). Locate what sign, element, and house Lilith falls in your astrology chart, and reflect on how this placement speaks to you. What do you find true, or untrue about your own views and personality? How can you use this information to make your own conclusions?

10. Support other female identified women, and victims of oppression: Lilith represents the oppressed. This is an opportunity to stand with ALL female identified people, and those who have experienced oppression (trans, black, brown, and low income populations). Roe vs. Wade will impact certain women more than others. It’s very important to recognize the wide spectrum of realities, and offer help as much as we can.

If you enjoyed this article and want to explore your own chart, or are interested in coaching, work with me!