Shadow and Creativity with Chelsey Pippin Mizzi

Today I am joined in conversation with

Chelsey Pippin Mizzi

, writer of The Shuffle, a Substack that explores the intersection of spirituality and creativity. She’s also the author of two books: The Tarot Spreads Yearbook and the forthcoming Tarot for Creativity.

Last month, Chelsey wrote a thought-provoking article on the shadow artist¹, a concept from Julia Cameron’s The Artist’s Way. While appreciating the book's exploration of lost creative impulses, Chelsey critiques its narrow perspective. The article questions the hierarchy Cameron establishes in creative pursuits and challenges the notion of a "pure" artistic dream. It highlights economic and social constraints on artistic endeavors and argues for a more compassionate understanding of the creative self, emphasizing the value of diverse paths.

Inspired by these ideas, we entered into discussion to explore a more nuanced understanding of the shadow, how conventional careers helped Chelsey and I both step into our creative vocations, the gradual unfolding of the artistic path and much more! To close out the conversation, we drew a tarot card — Judgement — and offer reflections and considerations for the shadow artist based on the archetypal themes of the card.

Check out my collaboration over on The Shuffle

In addition to this discussion, I was featured on Chelsey’s series, Creative Arcana — an interview where the line of questioning is informed by a series of tarot card pulls.

Check out the collaboration and subscribe to The Shuffle for more:

Join the conversation

All comments are welcome, but here are a few prompts to consider:

1. What are your thoughts on the shadow artist?

2. How do you navigate the balance between pursuing your creative passions and meeting the practical demands of everyday life?

3. What are your reflections on the tarot card pull of Judgement in relation to the shadow artist concept?

1. Read the article here: The (shadow) artist’s way