What are Tarot cards?
Tarot cards come in different decks. I use a popular set of cards by Rider Waite. Interpretation of the images can be useful in psychotherapy as a way to explore unconscious thoughts. Interpretation of the cards helps you to understand how and why you react to situations in a certain way, developing a sense of intuition, and self-awareness.
Carl Jung, was a pioneer in psychotherapy. He worked with myths and symbols, and the relevance of dreams as being a window into the unconscious mind.
How Tarot cards are used in therapy
The images on Tarot cards are symbolic, and their meaning can be interpreted in many ways.
As a psychotherapist, I work with you to see what the images and archetypes represent to you, how they make you feel.
For example, when looking at a tarot card closely, notice what you are first drawn to in the image- how does it make you feel? What does it bring to mind for you? There are more than one interpretation of the cards, with the ‘shadow side’ as relevant as the initial response to the image. The cards can be used individually, or interpreted as a spread, or small group. In therapy, we focus on making sense of what the cards mean to you.
Looking more closely at the chosen card, what does each thing represent, either in the past or present? Reading tarot cards is not about predicting the future, but to recognise elements about yourself, your thoughts and feelings around the images, and what they symbolise and mean to you at the moment.
What is an Archetype?
An archetype is a symbolic image that is derived from the past collective experience of humanity and is present in the unconscious mind of the individual, such as Gods or Goddesses, the image of a hermit, or a fool. An archetype may remind you of someone in your life, or an aspect of yourself. Exploring this archetype can help to see yourself, or other people, from a different perspective. Seeing both ‘sides’ of an image (shadow side), highlights both positive and negative straights, wither in ourselves, or as we see others..
Your personal development can get ‘stuck’ at any stage in your life. Using tarot cards in therapy can tap into unconscious processes, and help you to see things from a different perspective. This can help you to develop a sense of peace and control over aspects of your life, planning a brighter future.
For more information about using Tarot cards in individual psychotherapy sessions or in small development groups, please contact me.
