Dreams are such fun!

I think that typically, shadow self's are the parts of us that we keep hidden that include the parts of us we don't want anyone to see or know about.... including hidden from ourselves. Looking closely at ourselves, like in therapy, is frigtening sometimes and makes us want to call out "Help me! Help me!"

In your dream you are asleep, awakening to the shadow self. Kinda like therapy where we are 'asleep' and become awakened, and dare to look at the frightening shadow self?