Metaphoric Associative Cards
The cards are used during the coaching session as a sort of tool for helping you to express yourself, reflect on various aspects as well as bring clarity to what matters to you. It gives a whole new perspective, allowing a place for deep reflection. The metaphoric associative cards stimulate the imaginative part of the brain. The question stimulates the rational one. You will place the question in the background and use the card as a projection surface whilst activating your imagination.
The key benefits include
- Exploration of your values
- Exploration of new possibilities
- Deep reflection on questions or issues you have
- Facilitation of the decision-making process
- Facilitation of self-expression
- Establishment of a dialogue between internal and external, to bring deep material to a surface;
- Improvement of your focus on feelings and sensations
- Improvement of self-awareness and self-knowledge
Associating the card to your problem
Metaphoric associative cards help to express thoughts, formulate them, and to concretize the necessary message. They help to simplify the verbal expression of emotions. Associative cards are international and can be used in any culture, for any age. Moreover, they allow the full freedom of association in a situation and response.
The cards are a set of pictures or cards with landscapes, animals, household items, life situations, abstract paintings, people (adults and children), and interactions between them. You will be able to freely choose how to associate the problem, issue, feelings, or themselves with the picture.
Discovery experience
Associative dynamics and techniques based on metaphoric associative cards, allow accessing your holistic self. They also help to clarify and realize your actual experiences and needs, as well as unfinished conflict relations.
Associations that occur when describing a card and commenting reveal current states, experiences, and needs. It enables you to identify basic fears and desires, internal conflicts, and personality traits. But also to reflect on possible strategies for dealing with an issue and acknowledging your resources.
Self-reflection and inner learning
The function of meaning formation is associated with the choice of an object and its content processing, considering the context of the situation. The associative cards also give us a place for deep self-reflection. The cards will enable you to see the experiences and actions from a new perspective, finding effective solutions to deal with your situation.
The imagery of the metaphorical associative cards provides visual stimulus for individuals, which is one of the basic principles of using these cards. The picture card as a metaphor is an independent artistic format that has an emotional meaning, which corresponds to our lives. Therefore, we are able to make connections between objective meaning to our senses and experiences. It is a rich experience that enables inner learning.
The method
The deck contains only images rather than words or phrases because it leaves free space for you to make the associations, and to make your own interpretations. Most of the images are colorful, deep, and touching, and there are various components that can be interpreted by you. The process has the following steps
- The coach invites you to reflect on a question beginning with “How”?
- Then, the coach asks you to have a look at the cards
- The coach invites you to choose a card
- After that, the coach asks you what is your question
- Then, you will be invited to look at the card again and choose two details and describe them in detail
- The coach will ask you what connection can be made between what you see and your question
- After that, you will be asked about in which way what you see in the card can lead you to formulate your initial question differently
- The process will be repeated two times, always allowing time for you to think
- Finally, you will be asked if the card helped you to answer your question.
The metaphoric associative cards are practical and simple. It helps you to explore and express more profound thoughts and emotions associated with any given theme. Are you ready to try it?
