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When metaphorical cards are helpful and when their use is dangerous
Even the most useful tool can have a negative effect if used incorrectly. In which situations should one turn to metaphorical cards, and in which situations is it not recommended, and why?
Metaphorical cards help to better understand oneself - in the context of work communication, personal relationships, inner conflicts, and other situations where we sometimes feel lost. What we see in the images and how we explain what we see is the key to the answers that already exist within us but remain unconscious and hidden.
To unlock these answers, it's essential to ask yourself the right questions. Accurate formulations will make vague feelings clearer, help you understand what's happening, and draw conclusions.
When drawing a card or cards, it's important to be honest with yourself and answer the questions aloud and in as much detail as possible. Often, the details hold insights that may not be immediately apparent, so you can write down your thought process, ideally by hand on paper, but you can also type it wherever you find convenient.
We have already discussed in detail how to work with metaphorical cards in various situations and have compiled a list of the most common questions. The main principle is that all questions should be about you, your feelings, thoughts, experiences, or possible choices in specific circumstances.
What are the most frequent requests people have when using this tool in psychotherapy?
Metaphorical cards help to better understand oneself - in the context of work communication, personal relationships, inner conflicts, and other situations where we sometimes feel lost. What we see in the images and how we explain what we see is the key to the answers that already exist within us but remain unconscious and hidden.
To unlock these answers, it's essential to ask yourself the right questions. Accurate formulations will make vague feelings clearer, help you understand what's happening, and draw conclusions.
When drawing a card or cards, it's important to be honest with yourself and answer the questions aloud and in as much detail as possible. Often, the details hold insights that may not be immediately apparent, so you can write down your thought process, ideally by hand on paper, but you can also type it wherever you find convenient.
We have already discussed in detail how to work with metaphorical cards in various situations and have compiled a list of the most common questions. The main principle is that all questions should be about you, your feelings, thoughts, experiences, or possible choices in specific circumstances.
What are the most frequent requests people have when using this tool in psychotherapy?
5 COMMON SITUATIONS TO USE METAPHORICAL CARDS
- Analyzing relationships
- Searching for resources and a positive mood
- Making choices between two or more options
- Analyzing one's behavior in a specific situation and choosing a course of action
- Self-discovery, reflection, self-development
Analyzing Relationships
Metaphorical cards can help you establish contact with close people or someone in your broader social circle. The key is to study yourself and what happens between you, not the other person. You can use decks designed specifically for exploring personal and social relationships or any other decks.
You can ask the cards the following questions:
Ask specifically about matters related to your circumstances. At the end of the exercise, it will be helpful to draw a few cards for advice or resources with questions like: "What will help me? Which direction should I move in regarding relationships? What qualities, strengths, and resources can I use to improve the situation?"
You can ask the cards the following questions:
- What is happening between us?
- How do I feel in these relationships?
- How do I behave?
- How do I want to appear to the other person?
- What mask am I wearing?
- What do I want to hide?
- What do I want to show?
- What am I really showing?
- How do I want to perceive the other person?
- How do I perceive them now?
- What do I like/dislike in these relationships or the other person?
- What can't I accept?
- What will I have to accept if I want to continue these relationships?
- What can I change in the relationships?
- How much do I need these relationships?
Ask specifically about matters related to your circumstances. At the end of the exercise, it will be helpful to draw a few cards for advice or resources with questions like: "What will help me? Which direction should I move in regarding relationships? What qualities, strengths, and resources can I use to improve the situation?"
5 SITUATIONS WHERE METAPHORICAL CARDS WON'T BE HELPFUL
1. Metaphorical cards should not be used for fortune-telling; they do not predict the future
Metaphorical associative cards are not intended for fortune-telling or predicting the future. In the best case, you will not see anything relevant, and in the worst case, you may program yourself, restrict your actions, and subconsciously avoid taking responsibility for your life.
2. The cards do not provide information about anyone except yourself
Looking at metaphorical cards to see "what's happening with the neighbors" or "how Maria feels" is, at the very least, unethical. Even if you try, you won't perceive anything real. Metaphorical cards are meant for working with your own unconscious mind, so whatever you see will be your personal projections, unrelated to another person's psychology.
3. Do not lay out metaphorical cards for other people, especially in their absence
Even if you are asked to do a reading with metaphorical cards for someone else without their presence or direct involvement, it's better to decline. The reason is the same: whatever you see will be your personal projections, not those of the person you are doing it for.
If you are helping someone else with metaphorical cards, your task is to ask guiding questions and elicit as much information from them as possible. However, you should avoid interpreting the cards for them or imposing your own views. Of course, you may have your own assumptions and metaphors, but you must keep them to yourself. The primary rule of working with metaphorical cards is that you can only interpret what you see for yourself!
4. Working with metaphorical cards during moments of strong emotions is undesirable and may be harmful
During intense emotions, a person's brain temporarily "shuts down." They lose objectivity and the ability for rational thinking. Avoid using cards when feeling stressed, euphoric, angry, irritated, deeply hurt, or in any similarly emotional states. You won't be able to perceive anything clearly.
If you strongly desire something, you won't see the potential obstacles that may hinder you. You'll be like wearing blinders. Before working with cards to analyze a situation, it's essential to move out of such intense emotional states. However, the good news is that metaphorical cards can help you achieve that!
5. Working with psychosomatic causes of physical illnesses, especially severe ones, should be done by a specialist
To cope with any intense emotions, you can draw a card from a universal or abstract deck, and ask yourself, "What am I feeling right now?" Open the card and describe your emotions and sensations. It's essential to do this aloud or write it down by hand on paper or electronically. You need to externalize what's inside - speak it out or write it down.
When you remain only in an internal dialogue, you can go around in circles endlessly. The danger is that your emotions may become buried deep inside you and stay in your psychological world forever. Once you've returned to a stable state and can think rationally, then you can use metaphorical cards to work with the situation.
For complex life situations, it's best to consult a specialist - a psychologist whom you trust. They can help you cope with your emotions and find a way out of difficult situations.
6. Working with metaphorical cards during challenging psychological states and serious illnesses
It is categorically not recommended to work with metaphorical cards independently during complex psychological states, such as depression, acute grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, nightmares, panic attacks, and similar conditions. Additionally, refrain from using the cards for people with any psychiatric diagnoses and severe stages of chemical dependencies (alcoholism, drug addiction). In such situations, involving a specialist is necessary, and they should decide if working with cards would be appropriate for your particular circumstances.
Working with psychosomatic causes of physical illnesses, especially severe ones, should be done by a specialist. Avoid attempting to "self-heal" at home as it can be dangerous.
Metaphorical associative cards can do a lot: support you in difficult times, guide you on the right path, and help you understand yourself. Don't forget about safety precautions and follow the basic rules when working with them. And then, during the process of working with metaphorical cards, you will learn a lot about yourself, the world, and other people in your life!
Metaphorical associative cards are not intended for fortune-telling or predicting the future. In the best case, you will not see anything relevant, and in the worst case, you may program yourself, restrict your actions, and subconsciously avoid taking responsibility for your life.
2. The cards do not provide information about anyone except yourself
Looking at metaphorical cards to see "what's happening with the neighbors" or "how Maria feels" is, at the very least, unethical. Even if you try, you won't perceive anything real. Metaphorical cards are meant for working with your own unconscious mind, so whatever you see will be your personal projections, unrelated to another person's psychology.
3. Do not lay out metaphorical cards for other people, especially in their absence
Even if you are asked to do a reading with metaphorical cards for someone else without their presence or direct involvement, it's better to decline. The reason is the same: whatever you see will be your personal projections, not those of the person you are doing it for.
If you are helping someone else with metaphorical cards, your task is to ask guiding questions and elicit as much information from them as possible. However, you should avoid interpreting the cards for them or imposing your own views. Of course, you may have your own assumptions and metaphors, but you must keep them to yourself. The primary rule of working with metaphorical cards is that you can only interpret what you see for yourself!
4. Working with metaphorical cards during moments of strong emotions is undesirable and may be harmful
During intense emotions, a person's brain temporarily "shuts down." They lose objectivity and the ability for rational thinking. Avoid using cards when feeling stressed, euphoric, angry, irritated, deeply hurt, or in any similarly emotional states. You won't be able to perceive anything clearly.
If you strongly desire something, you won't see the potential obstacles that may hinder you. You'll be like wearing blinders. Before working with cards to analyze a situation, it's essential to move out of such intense emotional states. However, the good news is that metaphorical cards can help you achieve that!
5. Working with psychosomatic causes of physical illnesses, especially severe ones, should be done by a specialist
To cope with any intense emotions, you can draw a card from a universal or abstract deck, and ask yourself, "What am I feeling right now?" Open the card and describe your emotions and sensations. It's essential to do this aloud or write it down by hand on paper or electronically. You need to externalize what's inside - speak it out or write it down.
When you remain only in an internal dialogue, you can go around in circles endlessly. The danger is that your emotions may become buried deep inside you and stay in your psychological world forever. Once you've returned to a stable state and can think rationally, then you can use metaphorical cards to work with the situation.
For complex life situations, it's best to consult a specialist - a psychologist whom you trust. They can help you cope with your emotions and find a way out of difficult situations.
6. Working with metaphorical cards during challenging psychological states and serious illnesses
It is categorically not recommended to work with metaphorical cards independently during complex psychological states, such as depression, acute grief, post-traumatic stress disorder, phobias, nightmares, panic attacks, and similar conditions. Additionally, refrain from using the cards for people with any psychiatric diagnoses and severe stages of chemical dependencies (alcoholism, drug addiction). In such situations, involving a specialist is necessary, and they should decide if working with cards would be appropriate for your particular circumstances.
Working with psychosomatic causes of physical illnesses, especially severe ones, should be done by a specialist. Avoid attempting to "self-heal" at home as it can be dangerous.
Metaphorical associative cards can do a lot: support you in difficult times, guide you on the right path, and help you understand yourself. Don't forget about safety precautions and follow the basic rules when working with them. And then, during the process of working with metaphorical cards, you will learn a lot about yourself, the world, and other people in your life!
