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Definitions Tarot Imagery for Health, • Divinatory Use of Tarot : using cards to gain insight into the past, present or future Healing, and Change by formulating a question, then drawing and interpreting cards…looking for answer by supernatural means. Relies on esoteric sensibilities. Sara Shields, BSW, MA, RN, HN-BC vs. AHNA Conference - 2019 • Therapeutic Use of Tarot : a method and means for self-realization. Tarot cards serve as unique picture-sort stimuli for images and archetypes (but are not used as actual tarot cards for readings, just for the symbolism).

Tarot Cards & The Healing Process Expressive Arts

• A therapeutic means of reconciling emotional conflicts, Tarot Cards stimulate self - expression and provide a structure for organizing thoughts and feelings and are a vehicle for communication fostering self-awareness, awareness, developing social skills, managing behavior, solving problems, reducing Opportunity for self-reflection anxiety, aiding reality orientation, and increasing self- esteem esteem (American Art Association, 2004). Understanding Happens • Expressive encourage not only self-exploration, exploration, but also use self-expression through one or Personal Growth more modalities as a central part of the therapeutic process. Self-Knowledge that leads to the relief of distress and positive transformation

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Tarot Imagery - History Tarot Card History Lesson

• Using cards for playful divination probably • Rider-Waite has been continually printed since 1909. goes back to the 14th century, likely • Publisher William Rider and popular mystic A.E. Waite originating with Mamluk game cards brought to Western Europe from Turkey. • Commissioned Pamela Colman Smith to illustrate the deck • • Originally, the imagery was designed to reflect The Rider-Waite helped bring about the rise of 20th-century occult tarot used by mystical readers. important aspects of the real world that the players lived in, with prominent Christian • The Rider-Waite deck was designed for divination and included a symbolism. book written by Waite in which he explained much of the esoteric meaning behind the imagery. • As divinatory usage became more popular, • Stuart Kaplan obtained the publishing rights and developed an illustrations evolved to reflect a specific audience for it in the early ’70s, which helped renew interest in card designer’s intention. reading

Images, Symbols, & Healing “ Symbols are images that speak to us. They are the best possible expression for an emotionally meaningful

• We are surrounded by energy that can be used situation. for healing. Symbols can tap into that energy or ” evoke energetic reactions within us. • Images generate stories, imaginal dialogue, and other forms of artistic expression. They also act - directly on our bodies, minds, and senses. The Psychogenesis of Mental Disease

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An archetype is a universally understood symbol, term, “ statement, or pattern of behavior, a prototype upon which others are copied, patterned, or emulated. Archetypes are often Pictures carry medicines, energies, creative spirits, and used in myths and storytelling across different cultures. vitality that they will give to you freely.

A generic version of a personality. In this sense, "mother ” figure" may be considered an archetype, and may be identified Archetypes in various characters with otherwise distinct personalities.

–Shaun McNiff The use of archetypes to illuminate personality was advanced Art Heals: How Creativity Cures the Soul by Carl Jung early in the 20th century, who suggested the 2011 existence of universal forms that channel experiences and emotions, resulting in recognizable and typical patterns of behavior with certain probable outcomes.

Archetypes are used symbolically to helps us make sense of the world, they can be found in all forms of human expression: art, drama, literature, etc.

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Personal meaning comes from finding Archetypes are so commonly used in People are pattern- patterns and society and art that almost everyone making creatures. has encountered at some point, connections that give whether it’s in novels, movies, stage shows or tarot cards. significance to your life. Creative artists love using them because they’re easily recognizable and something that everyone can relate to in some capacity. Archetypes & Self-Awareness

Role of Archetypes in Archetypes… Change, Healing, and Transformation

• Empowerment comes from defining patterns and deciding their value • Finding meaning in your experience not only helps you endure life’s INFLUENCE TRIGGER inevitable pains, but also gives inspiration and energy to your everyday BEHAVIOR EMOTIONS existence. • To create change, you don’t have to change life directly, only what you tell yourself about it. This allows you to imagine yourself in new ways and revision your possibilities. PROVIDE MEANING

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Power in the Stories Personal Mythology

• Ancient myths live on in the stories people tell about • Everything that you think, do, wish, or that happens to you is another their own lives. episode in the story of your life. • We construct our reality through mental images and • Each chapter is filled with hidden symbolism and significance that is part of words which we use to represent our experience. the unfolding of your story. • Personal mythology refers to an individual's fundamental stories for making sense and meaning of • The stories you tell yourself are the ones you personally act out in your life. the world. • Personal myths can be adaptive or maladaptive. • Most world myths are tales of transformation.

• The way you see and describe an image is a reflection of your personal mythology. • The resulting stories define your sense of self and give you meaning, identity, and purpose. • Not only are you the hero of your story but the story itself tends to be based on archetypal themes, themes found in all times and places despite cultural variations.

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The Intuitive Role of Emotions

• Emotion tells you how and where psychic energy is being processed. • Emotions alert us to specific issues • Feelings are an energy source that can be harnessed for constructive purposes • “Our emotions will be able to contribute the energy we need to move into and out of any situation imaginable, because they contribute the specific energy and information we need to heal ourselves.” (Karla McLaren, Emotional Genius)

Questions Holding Space

• Which card is most intriguing? • Your job is to listen closely, to become sensitive to the undercurrents and pulse of what is being said. A person’s description of an image, whether • Which one is most unsettling ? objective or subjective, suggests quite a bit about the state of the person and • Which card has the most detail? his or her concerns. • Which card has the least detail? • Remembering that emotion is energy in motion, note when the energy • Which card tells your story? What is that story? changes or sounds urgent. • Which card do you want to tell your story? What is that story? • Use a person-centered approach.

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• Unconditional positive regard: Be empathetic and non-judgmental. Convey feelings of understanding, trust, and Applications for Tarot Cards confidence. Encourage patients/clients to

make their own decisions and choices • Articulating Thoughts/Explaining Feelings and • Health Education Groups - Ice Breakers & Conversation Emotions Person- • Starters • Empathetic understanding: Understand • Making the abstract concrete • Art & Healing Activity • Empowerment Centered and accept thoughts and feelings • Mood Tracking • New Perspective • Self-Development • Congruence: No acts of authority or • Inspiration/Affirmation • Pain Management Approach professional superiority. Be present. Be • Goal-Setting • Journaling • Habit Change/Self-Management Tool authentic. • Trauma • Enhance Therapeutic Communication • Stress Management • Do not interpret or analyze. • Rapport building with certain populations • Meditation

Easy Resources Let’s Try Some!

• Reflection & Affirmation • Positive Reinforcement: Exploring positive aspects of yourself and considering traits you’d like to develop • Imagining Your Story

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Recommendations More Recommendations

New Mythic Tarot Chakra Oracle Chrysalis Tarot Gaian Tarot The Goddess Tarot Wildwood Tarot

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