The Pandemic & The Shadow: Reflections on the Shadow Archetype during Covid 19

One of the major psychological implications of the recent pandemic has been a heavy surge in cases reported around the world of troubled mental health. The mental health clinics were flooded as the world grappled to come to terms with loss of life and loneliness. The pandemic in many ways thus was a call for humanity to stop and turn inward to address the concerns of the psyche. The present paper attempts to re-visit the archetypal interpretation of Magyar-Germanic version of the tale of ‘the red shoes’ by noted Jungian Analyst Dr. Clarissa Pinkola Estés. The tale speaks about the psychological implications of being captured and starvation of the soul and brings forth a call for developing foresight for consequences of not paying enough attention to instinctual life. The tale has been interpreted by Dr. Estes to understand its implication for the feminine psyche. In the present paper, there is re-interpretation offered that extends beyond only the feminine psyche- it applies to humanity. The argument raised herein is that Covid 19 has hit us hard because during today’s modern times, we do not pay enough attention to our inner development. In the run for materialism, there is little or no time offered for oneself- to look inward, face one’s own reality and meet the individual demands of the psyche. Therefore, calamities like the pandemic bring us down to the ground and force us to face our inner shadow. Understanding of the Jungian notion of the archetype of the shadow, its manifestation during the pandemic and its implications for the psyche in today’s time enables us to seek an answer to what must now be done to restore our psychological health and vitality post the pandemic.