Tuesday, February 7, 2017

TAROT FOR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

 
 

TAROT of Marseille, France 1760



REFLECTIONS YARO BLOG – FEBRUARY & MARCH 2017


TAROT FOR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

This is a new Reflection following the on-going theme, mentioned earlier, about Alternative ways of working as a therapist. In a world full of uncertainties we need to find and implement new ways of enabling people on their life journey. No matter what training or theoretical perspective you may be ‘a true believer’ in, the world a changing and expanding entity, is moving all that lives into a path of expansion and growth.
In the last few blogs we reflected on alternatives to therapy such as Process Psychology, Psychomagic, Shamanism and now the TAROT. This is a short reflection about the TAROT deck of cards and how this deck is being reborn as a healing tool.
The exact origins of the TAROT are not clear. Card playing decks were being developed in Italy as far back as the 1400’s. They were beautifully hand crafted and used mainly for divination. The oldest deck is called the “Michelino deck” produced around 1417. The deck was commissioned by the Duke of Milano who was a very keen card lover and who designed the TARUCCI play cards.
Dr. Yoav Ben-Dov, a psychotherapist and student of the TAROT writes that in 1700’s and 1800’s card makers in Marseille, France adopted a common model for the TAROT deck that eventually became the standard that is basically used today (with some innovations by Crowley and A.E. Waite). The OSHO ZEN TAROT is also very popular today.
As we know, psychoanalysis and psychotherapy are rather recent phenomena. Sigmund Freud begun the study of the unconscious aspects of his patients by having them lying on the couch and ‘free-associate’, meaning stating freely whatever came to their mind while he made notes and interpreted the outcome of such sessions. Later, Carl G. Jung and Alfred Adler, both students of Freud, begun experimenting with sitting face-to-face with their patients.
In our current state of development of Psychotherapy and Counselling we note two differing movements: One, are those practitioners that claim ‘scientific’ proofs of their therapy is necessary by using complex statistical measurements of results and on the other side, those who explore the Humanistic and Existential aspects of healing. Later on(1960’s & 70’s) the Esalen Institute pioneered and expanded a multitude of therapies and healing methods with leaders like Carl Rogers(person-centred therapy); J. Moreno(psychodrama); Fritz Perls (Gestalt Therapy) and many others.
In addition to the verbal communication with clients, they experimented with body postures, gestures, muscular movement, facial expressions, tones of voice, sitting, standing, moving and the use of art therapy. This led to the practice of full awareness or attention to the ‘here and now’ phenomena in the healing process.
Starting at the surface of attention, such therapists gradually guided clients into depths of their psyches some even claimed that they were working with the very Soul of their clients. Carl G. Jung’s student Dora Kalff developed the Sand Play method of working with symbols. She begun with children who usually are limited using only verbal communication and later worked with adults to enable them to reach a deep understanding about their unconscious processes.
As more artistic tools were in use and body experiments conducted (W. Reich) the alternatives to the ‘talking cure’ were widely accepted by most western populations. It is now more and more popular to add to any form of therapy, used by any discipline,  the artistic and creative tools available and accepted by many in the therapy field. Symbolic tools like the Rorschach test, Mandala drawing and TAROT cards are used often by creative therapists in their work with clients and groups.
The current book by two talented psychotherapist Dr. Victor Daniels and Kooch N. Daniels M.A. , both from California," TAROT AT A CROSSROADS"  recently published, is a classic book about the crossover between psychology and the TAROT. They state: "a decade ago, we began exploring the therapeutic potential of TAROT cards . We already knew that their imagery could illuminate a broad spectrum of dilemmas, vices, virtues, cravings and opportunities. We have found that pictorial imagery – especially TAROT cards – support the telling of emotionally loaded stories and memories. They can be used in a onetime session or repeatedly in ongoing sessions over a period of time” (p 23).
The authors also became aware that some of the practices used by Gestalt Therapists can also be used with the cards. For example, they would ask a client to select cards and then project a dialogue between two or more cards (like in the empty chair method) or like those used in adult Sand Tray work.
In our modern ‘virtual reality’ world most people are increasingly accustomed to use pictorial images. Children are watching and playing games on their computers and we all look at YouTube for stories and visually learn skills on line. It is clear then, that today’s psychotherapy must use the evocative imagery and one such tool is the TAROT that readers and healers used for centuries to bring more understanding and deeper meanings to our unconscious and a full integration of mind-body-spirit. Most importantly, to become aware of the whole person.       
It is important to know that there are some differences between a TAROT divinatory reading and a therapy session. Here is a brief explanation by the authors of the TAROT book:


 
DIVINATORY USE OF TAROT
 
·         Offered by the reader
·         Cards are a point of contact
·         Meets the needs of the querent
·         Extensive knowledge and experience needed to guide readings
·         Querent picks up cards face down on table
·         Focus on the traditional meaning of cards
·         Reader leads the discussion and offers suggestions
 
 
 
 
PSYCHOTERAPEUTIC USE OF TAROT
 
·         Offered by therapist or counsellor
·         Cards are effective point of contact
·         Meets needs of client
·         Therapeutic training and experience needed
·         Client selects specific cards on a face up deck
·         Focus is on client’s reactions to the cards
·         Therapist does not interpret, client sparks key points

 
In conclusion to these Reflections on the TAROT, I am adding here the 12 activities for psychotherapists that may help them to learn how to use the TAROT imagery in therapy sessions. For more understanding, I suggest a visit to a good TAROT school or workshop.
1. Make a daily practice of placing a TAROT card on your desk and attempt at a ‘dialogue’ with the image.
2. Associate any meaning that emerges as you connect with each card (work like in a dream session).
3. What symbols & colours stand out for you ?
4. Any specific clues you get from the ‘gender’ cards.
5. Do you ‘receive’ a message or an intuitive awareness from the card?
6. Reflect on your moods or feelings evoked by the card(s).
7. Use the card as a motivator to move, dance, voice expression or all of the above.
8. Place two cards side by side and look at their differences and similarities. Are they looking at each other or facing away from each other?
9. Notice if you find the same symbol in each card you look at.
10. Can you recognise(remember) a story, fairy tale or dream that may be connected to the cards.
11. Meditate on the card or cards – one at a time and note what feelings emerge for you.
12. Keep a TAROT journal and add pictures as they come up in your mind. Develop a collage.
 FOR THE MORE INTERESTED: If you want to follow up the meaning of the major Arcanas (21 cards), you can examine the small list here. Google images also give a very colourful list of TAROT cards.
 
THE DIVINATORY MEANINGS OF THE TAROT
1 The Magician- The Magician is a person of new opportunities and ambition. He has incredible willpower, but is often overcome by his emotions. Positively associated with confidence, individuality, willpower, new beginnings, and inner potential. Negatively associated with trickery, deception, lack of compassion, indecision, and abuse of power.
2 The High Priestess- The High Priestess is the guardian of hidden secrets. She keeps the divine knowledge secretly tucked away for the right time to reveal. Positively associated with intuitiveness, understanding, wisdom, mystery, psychic ability, and the divine feminine. Negatively associated with lack of motherliness, emotional insecurity, secretiveness, and hidden obstacles or opponents.
3 The Empress- The Empress is a symbol of love, fertility and motherhood. She represents compassion and devotion. Positively associated with fertility, birth, motherhood, harmony, nature, prosperity, joy, love, and artistic ambition. Negatively associated with domestic upheaval, emotional blackmail, over-protectiveness, poverty, infertility, unwanted pregnancy, and suppressed logical expression.
4 The Emperor- The Emperor is a sign of achievement and honour. He represents paternity and strong leadership. Positively associated with achievement, authority, protection, support, trustworthiness, discipline, provider, consolidation, reason, and willpower. Negatively associated with weakness, immaturity, failed ambition, status driven, tyrannical, and an overbearing nature.
 5 The Hierophant- The Hierophant is a symbol of moral law and convictions. He is also a welcomed advisor and spiritual guide. Positively associated with advice, wise counsel, spiritual consolation, knowledge, identification, faith, conformity, and traditions. Negatively associated with misinformation, lack of faith, deviousness, bad advice, confusion, and disorderly conduct.
6 The Lovers- The Lovers represent a new breath of life. They symbolize love, devotion and spiritual friendship. Positively associated with desire, new lover, relationships, physical attraction, love, sex, and commitment. Negatively associated with lust, moral lapse, temptation, indecision, separation, failed love affair, and emotional loss of control.
7 The Chariot- The Chariot symbolises conflict and victory. It also represents unknown forces pulling you forward quickly. Positively associated with triumph, movement, change, self-belief, assertiveness, and good news. Negatively associated with rage, tyranny, overinflated ego, selfishness, arrogance, delays, and frustration.
 8 Justice- This card directly means justice, fairness, and balance. It also has sway over partnerships and legal matters. Positively associated with justice, truth, integrity, balance, arbitration, responsibility, and fairness. Negatively associated with prejudice, injustice, bad judgement, bias, and bad advice.
9 The Hermit- The Hermit is a solitary person, one who looks for answers within and away from others. he represents a time for solitude and peace. Positively associated with introspection, solitude, guidance, advice, and patience. Negatively associated with obstinacy, suspiciousness, fear, impatience, folly, and arrogance.
10 The Wheel of Fortune- The Wheel of Fortune is a sign of fates spinning round and round bringing in a new era. It represents the randomness of life and what comes at you. Positively associated with destiny, movement, vision, good luck, new cycle, and synchronicity. Negatively associated with obstacles, temporary bad luck, and unpleasant surprises.
 11 Strength- The Strength cards shows the inner resolves you have. It represents the emotional, physical and spiritual strength associated with the situation. Positively associated with strength, willpower, compassion, patience, courage, triumph, and fortitude. Negatively associated with over compensation, fear, inertia, defeat, loss of opportunity, and entropy.
12 The Hanged Man- The Hanged Man symbolizes self-sacrifice and the unaware mind. He is representative of the blind sacrifice that is needed in the situation. Positively associate with transition, flexibility, rebirth, deliverance, and release. Negatively associated with materialism, inflated ego, lack of willpower, easily influenced, and martyrdom.
13 Death- The Death card symbolizes anything but that. It is a card of release and starting over. It represents the absolute, both the end and the beginning. Positively associate with endings, transformation, clearance, and sweeping change. Negatively associated with stagnation, loss of opportunity, loss of friendship, and fear of change.
14 Temperance- The Temperance card is a card of self-control and abstinence. It represents the ability to handle overwhelming circumstances and emotions. Positively associated with harmony, health, moderation, compromise, peace, and self-control. Negatively associated with impatience, lack of foresight, conflict, quarrels, and domestic strife.
15 The Devil- The Devil is the embodiment of primal instincts. Heated emotions runs strong with him, passions devour the mind and self-control is lost. Positively associated with permanence and commitment. Negatively associated with entrapment, lust, greed, ignorance, anger, tyranny, and obsession.
16 The Tower- The Tower shows the crumbling of stability and the breaking down of all things. It represent change, upheaval and unwanted change. Positively associated with re-evaluation, necessary change, and a blessing in disguise. Negatively associated with sudden change, downfall, disruption, and disaster.
 17 The Star- The Star is a beacon shining through the darkness, a guiding light. It represents renewal of faith, hope and youth. Positively associated with hope, generosity, serenity, wishes coming true, good health, and spiritual awareness. Negatively associated with self-doubt, lack of trust, cynicism, and pessimism.
18 The Moon- The Moon is a card of hidden and buried emotions. It casts and eerie light over everything. It represents hard travels and a rough inner journey. Positively associated with imagination, unexpected possibilities, and illumination. Negatively associated with fear, confusion, highly charged emotions, bewilderment, lies, and deceit.
 19 The Sun- The Sun shines down on everything, giving warmth, life and joy. The Sun is the light at the end of the tunnel, the source of all that is wished for. Positively associated with happiness, greatness, enlightenment, vitality, good health, love, and fulfilment. Negatively associated with misjudgement, delays, potential failure, and inflated ego.
20 Judgement- Judgement heralds a time of reward. It is the card of wisdom and acceptance. It represents new phases in life and new relationships with the self. Positively associated with rebirth, rejoicing, absolution, new potential, and rewards for past efforts. Negatively associated with guilt, loss, self-reproach, delays, fear, and obstinacy.
21 The World- The World is the end. The arrival of all the desires you hoped for. It is the beginning and the end, the dream, the hope and wish itself. Positively associated with fulfilment, completion, satisfaction, joy, wholeness, and success. Negatively associate with stagnation, lack of will, impatience, and delays.
Quoted from:  http://www.predictiontarot.com/Tarot-Cards-Meaning-or-Tarot-Interpretation#sthash.01HeomzO.dpuf