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.
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.
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
