I am a firm believer in integrative wellness- combining evidence based, conventional therapy is with complementary and alternative therapies to tend to the whole person; the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellness that make up our wellbeing. One of my personal practices is integrating the Tarot into my life. I love how so many of the images on the Tarot cards (designed by Pamela Colman Smith) capture the essence of many counselling theories and practice.

The Eight of Swords is a great example. From the approach to the Tarot that I work with, Swords represent our thinking mind, such as our thoughts, narratives, perspective, discernment and attitude. In the Rider-Waite deck, the Eight of Swords depicts a woman standing on flat land, bound and blindfolded with her hands behind her back, and she has swords that have been impaled into the ground on either side of her. This image is a good representation of how the thoughts we think, our core beliefs, and the storylines we create in our minds can make us feel alone, lost, trapped, and even hopeless.

One aspect that has been pointed out by many Tarot teachers is that the fabric used to bind and blindfold the woman are loosely tied. Although the woman is unaware of it, she could easily shake them off and be free. This resonated with me when I first learned this, because so often, we too are bound by thoughts and beliefs that are not serving us well, yet we are unaware of how deeply they are affecting us and how we could free ourselves from them. The woman in the image does not have to be alone, trapped, or hopeless. Behind her stands a castle, which to me, feels like massive potential. Imagine what could become of her if she, 1) became aware of the false ties that bound her and 2) realized that she could be free from them!

As one of my favourite authors, Dr. James Hollis writes, if we want to live in freedom, if we want to live a meaningful and purposeful life, we must become aware the stories and core beliefs that are holding us captive. If we do not become aware of them, or if we do not learn how to be free of them, we will live imprisoned by them.

If we were to look at this card through the lens of Emotionally Focused Therapy, we would ask what are the patterns that are keeping this woman stuck in life? Such as the patterns that are impacting her relationships, her view of herself, and that are blocking her personal growth and transformation. These patterns could be emotional reaction patterns, thought patterns, and behavioural patterns. Through the lens of CBT, we would look for the “thinking traps” that are affecting how she feels and behaves. Lastly, if we looked at the 8 of Swords through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, we would look for how the autonomic nervous system has been shaped to form protective patterns in this woman’s life. Can you relate at all to this woman?

A part of the work I do with women is helping them to break free from thoughts and beliefs that are impeding their mental, emotional, and physical wellness. This helps women to stop unconsciously imprisoning themselves by their thoughts, beliefs, and fears. This is where counselling can support women on the journey of personal growth and transformation; on breaking out of unhelpful thoughts patterns, building their confidence and sense of self, and reclaiming their inherent personal power within.

Have you noticed where you get stuck? What thoughts, beliefs, or fears make you feel trapped or hopeless? What would you do differently if you didn’t believe these old narratives anymore? What would you do differently if you believed a more empowering narrative about yourself and what you are capable of?

If you are interested in taking your first step towards personal growth and inner transformation, book a free 15-Minute Inquiry Call with me.