The psyche speaks in symbols

Created by Alicia Lambert. Inspired by, Lectio divina,  a contemplative practice of reading the Bible that dates back to the early Christian Church.  It's roots of scriptural reflection and interpretation go back to Origen in the 3rd century.  It's a way of praying with scripture that involves reading a passage slowly and repeatedly. The ancient practice consists of four key steps: Lectio (read), Meditatio (meditate), Oratio (pray), and Contemplatio (contemplate).    

Out of respect for the practice and religion, I suggest using Mary Oliver's poem Wild Geese.  Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare works well too. You can choose any writing you'd like. Below are the steps for the contemplation and visual art component. 

Step 1.  Lectio 

For 3 to 5 minutes,  as a group or individually,  slowly read the poem aloud, over and over again until one line, phrase or word sticks out. (Not intended that each individual read in unison, should be at their own pacing although a group starts reading together). Then repeat that line, phrase or word over and over until the time is up. Then go to step 2.  When a group reads it out loud it has a powerful cacophony and may end up sounding similar to when a song is sung in rounds.

 2. Meditatio & Oratio

Sit in silence with eyes closed if comfortable to do so for 2-3 minutes. This is a time where people may see an image, may hear a message, pray and listen, or just simply reflect. 

 3. Contemplatio

Open your eyes and spend time creating a visual representation of this line, phrase or word using any form of visual art and any materials.  Some chose to create what they saw or heard during medtatio and oratio.  Writing about the experience in additon to creating a visual is ecnouraged as journaling, poetry, and more.   

Created by Alicia Lambert. During the chrysalis stage, the caterpillar digests itself until it's goo. Biologist call the goo, imaginal self. After the dissolution of the caterpillar the butterfly manifests. This is symbolic of the process of individuation, becoming your authentic self. The term was introduced by Carl Jung. Jung believed that individuation is a self-realization process that involves divesting the self of the persona and becoming your authentic independent identity. 

Consider the parts of yourself you would like to dissolve, or integrate in a more healthy way. Consider your most authentic self (imaginal self), all you desire to be and are. Depict your imaginal self as a butterfly to represent your transformation. 

Art Supplies needed: Any mediums, I used watercolors. The work shown was created by my colleague. 

Unknown creator,  I learned this by observing an art therapy session years ago. Based on Carl Jung's analytical psychology, the persona is the social face that a person presents to the world. It's a socially adapted aspect of personality that's influenced by the outer world, and is a compromise between the individual and society.  The term "persona" comes from the Latin word persona, which refers to the masks worn by Etruscan mimes.   The persona is a "kind of mask" that's designed to make an impression on others while concealing the individual's true nature. 

Represent your persona on a blank mask you can purchase or draw your own. On the front represent the version of yourself you show to the world. On the back of the mask, represent the parts of yourself you hide. 

Art Supplies needed: Blank masks or cut out masks using paper. Any mediums. The work shown was created by clients.

Created by Alicia Lambert. Based off Psychologist J. William Worden's model of grief and James Hollis’ book, Swamplands of the Soul. Wolden's model poses there are four tasks of mourning with the last being to find an enduring connection to the deceased. James Hollis, Jungian Psychoanalyst, wrote, " We honor best those we have lost by making their contributions to our lives conscious, living with that value deliberately."

This is to represent your commitment to holding onto the meaning and value of the ones you've lost. The vase should represent you, the cracks are Kintsugi and symbolize the pain of grief and the beauty the ones we lost have given us. The flowers should represent the lost ones, you can use their birth month flowers or any flowers of significance.

Art Supplies needed: Any mediums. 

Created by Alicia Lambert,  Inspired by Internal Family Systems (IFS) parts mapping developed by Dr. Richard Schwartz and Jungian Psychology. Emotions are messengers. Below is a script for a guided contemplation you can utilize to help with this technique. Pick an emotion you'd like to represent in art form. You can choose an emotion you are currently feeling. Emotions have something to tell us and can give us wisdom. Sit with your emotion and see how you can represent it on the page or through writing. 

Optional Emotional Wisdom Contemplation:

Close your eyes and set up as if you were to meditate, get comfortable and take some big breaths in and out. Sit with the identified emotion. How doe sit feel in your body?

Is it in your chest, ribs, arms?  is it tight, cold, does it tingle? Does it have a sound, shape, color, body, face? What does this emotion have to tell you? What does it want you to do?

Art Supplies needed: Any mediums. Work shown created by me.

Created by Alicia Lambert. This requires owning the book, No Bad Parts by Dr. Richard Schwartz. There is a visualization exercise in this book called, The Path. After guiding yourself or client's through this exercise, reflect what images you saw onto paper using any mediums. 

Art supplies needed: Any mediums. Watercolor can be fast and easy to use in a group setting. This image used is a stock image. 

Created by Alicia Lambert. Create a bouquet of flowers using the birth month flower for each loved one (person, pet). You can also use any flower that represents that loved one to you.  This makes a great gift as well. I often paint friends and family members a family bouquet as a gift. 

Art Supplies needed:  Any mediums. I use water colors and acrylic. I made this one to represent my family (mom, dad, myself, and two sisters).