myths symbols sandplay

For Inquiring Minds

When researching Jung’s Theory of Personality, questions arose regarding current symbols of archetypes and how the anima or animus might be seen in sandplay work with clients. Along with questions about understanding symbols in limiting terms.

I wondered about the many latency aged boys I used to see in my practice and their choice of both anima and hero miniatures. I understand the concept of a collective unconscious which might be revealed through the use of ancient archetypal figures from my sandplay collection. Yet, I am also curious about the current heroes and anima figures chosen by young boys to express their unconscious relationship to and identification with their anima. What about the action figures from films such as Star Wars and animated Disney heroes and heroines? Are the more independent females represented by Belle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast and the female warrior Mulan new anima figures for boys? I have seen these figures used in sandplay scenes of school-aged boys, along with male action figures.

Young girls and adolescent female clients have used archetypal male miniatures, along with independent and assertive female figures. I might see Cinderella, Snow White, or Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz, along with a cowgirl, Princess Lea of Star Wars, and other female sci-fi action figures. Do these more action oriented miniatures represent a developing animus in young females?

Another source of pertinent questions comes from an article by Barbara Weller in the Winter 1994 issue of The Journal of Sandplay Therapy. Preparing for a conference “On the Masculine”, Barbara poses additional thought provoking questions. Why is it important to ascribe a gender to elemental symbols such as the earth as feminine and the sun as masculine? Why label and value in terms of hierarchy?

Questions of my own, resulting from seeing several sandplay miniature collections, are based on whether the collection was put together by a female or male therapist. What are the differences in the makeup of the collection based on the gender of the collector/therapist? How can we bring balance to our collections so clients will have a greater variety of choices? Could we discern the gender of the therapist by the items in the miniature collection?

As I ponder these and other related questions, I find comfort in Barbara Weller’s final comment. “I used to think that questions had to have answers. I now find it more interesting to live with the questions.” One fascinating and constantly engaging aspect of sandplay, for me, is the unknown. I do not have definitive answers regarding sandplay scenes and often find myself in an awesome state of quiet respect for the process and all that is revealed…of which I may have little understanding. In viewing trays in my practice, as part of a sandplay consultation group, in presentations, or in articles in The Journal of Sandplay Therapy, I am intrigued by yet more questions.

Handmade Clay Figures

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOLD

Unique handmade clay figures. Can be used as sandplay miniatures or as a gift for yourself or someone special.

New Miniatures Coming Soon!

Nazca Lines Stones - SOLD

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SOLD

As I add sandplay miniatures to my Etsy shop, you will see new items in the Etsy photos at the upper right section of the blog home page.

 

Vintage hand carved Nazca Lines stones available in my Etsy Shop RememberThat1. Link to shop at top right of opening blog page.

Miniatures

Available online at my Etsy shop RememberThat?. The link is on the blog homepage.

Wizard of Oz Miniatures

Available online at my Etsy shop RememberThat?. The link is on the blog homepage.

More New Miniatures

New miniatures posted at my online Etsy shop: RememberThat? Link available at top right of blog’s homepage. Vintage Lakeshore Learning children. Great for sandplay or play therapy.

New Miniatures

New miniatures posted at my online Etsy shop: RememberThat? Link available at top right of blog’s homepage. Vintage Lakeshore Learning female teens. Great for sandplay or play therapy.

 

 

The Hero's Journey: Conquering the Queen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jobes’ Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore, and Symbols is one of my most treasured resources. In the introduction, Gertrude Jobes writes about how her curiosity about symbols and her desire to understand dramas, epics, poems, vase paintings, and other works resulted in her two volume dictionary. “I must confess that as the work progressed it served me more and more in another way; it opened a vast expanse for flight, a boundless space for contemplation“ (pg. vii). As I look through the dictionary to understand the meaning of miniatures used in clients’ trays, I also see the many meanings as an opening to more “wondering“ and “what about…?“.

During my internship, I received a referral to work with an 11-year-old gifted boy. He was small for his age, somewhat shy, and very bright. In our first meeting, his mother seemed both dominating and anxious and reported becoming quite frustrated with her son’s current behavior. The presenting problem was enuresis with occasional encopresis, which happened both at school and at home. Over the course of his therapy, we worked together on the “problem“, his anxiety in general, and his relationship with his mother and father.

In the sessions I employed a variety of play therapy techniques and sandplay. He was studying myths in school, so I asked him if he would like to try his hand at using the sandplay to depict a hero’s journey. (He created three separate trays over three consecutive sessions.) My instructions were brief. He was to decide on a “hero“, three “helpers“, three challenges, three “things“ gained after each challenge, and a treasure or reward at the end of the journey. He eagerly chose the miniatures and began to create his hero’s journey. Each tray was powerful and revealing regarding his struggles and his challenges. Yet he also demonstrated his use of “helpers“ and his acquisition of skills he used to deal with the presenting problems.

In the second tray, he acted out the hero’s challenge – the evil stepmother/queen, from Snow White, and the hero’s battle to stand up to and to conquer her anger and negativity. The item gained was a key, which he used in the third tray and added to the treasure. His ability to conquer the queen (perhaps his frustrated, critical, over-protective mother) manifested in his ability to stand up for himself and to take control of certain aspects of his life (such as it is for a gifted, slightly built, 11-year-old boy). I still think about his hero’s journey and the resulting positive changes in his demeanor and in his interactions with his family and his peers.

Train Symbolism in Dreams

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is a brief look at the possible significance of trains in dreams. I believe that the symbolism here may also apply to trains used in sandplay therapy.

To see a train in one's dream represents conformity. One may just be going along with what everyone else is doing. Alternatively, a train means that one may be very methodical. One needs to lay things out specifically and do things in an orderly and sequential manner. In particular, if one dreams about a freight train, then it refers to the burdens and problems that one may be hauling around. It is also symbolic of manual labor.

If one dreams of a passenger train, then it relates to mental work. If one sees or plays with a model train in dreams, then it indicates that one may want more control and power over one's own life and where it is headed. Dreaming of trains may also be a metaphor that one is "in training" for some event, job or goal.

To dream that one is on a train symbolizes one's life's journey. It suggests that one may be on the right track in life and headed in the right direction.  Alternatively, the dream may mean that one may have a tendency to worry needlessly over a situation that will work out in the end.

To dream that one is in a train wreck suggests chaos. The path to one's goals are not going according to the way one planned it out. One may be lacking self-confidence and having doubt in one's ability to reach goals. If one dreams that a train collides with a car, then it indicates that one's life goals are in conflict with one's belief system. Perhaps one is pursuing a goal that one is not passionate about.

To dream that someone is hit by a train implies that they may be on the wrong path in life. Perhaps one needs to seek understanding to guide them in the right direction. Such dreams may also be a projection of one's own Self. In other words, one may be on the wrong life path and may need to alter course.

To dream that one is the train engineer signifies that one may be in complete control of a particular situation in waking life.

Heart Shaped Stones

In my wanderings along beaches or rivers, I am always on the lookout for heart shaped stones. I have a small collection of them in my garden. They get moved from place to place in the garden so I can see them anew.

Different sizes of heart shaped stones would be a wonderful addition to a sandplay therapy miniature collection.

image from https://www.123rf.com

More Sandplay Miniatures Posted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New miniatures posted. Link to my Etsy shop is at upper right hand corner of the blog home page.

Castle Symbolism

The symbolism of the castle is complex. According to Cirlot in A Dictionary of Symbols, the symbol of the castle is "derived at once from that of the house and that of the enclosure or walled city". In medieval art, walled cities represented the transcendent soul and the heavenly Jerusalem. Castles also represent the “difficult to obtain" and spiritual testing. As castles are often located atop hills or crags, the additional symbol of level or height exists.

The castle and moat are symbolic of physical and spiritual refuge and therefore an especially important symbol during the Crusades. A stronghold of either good or evil, castles usually hold a treasure or a princess (a symbol of enlightenment). As a symbol that houses the unobtainable treasure or an imprisoned person, the castle represent the acquisition of esoteric knowledge or spiritual attainment. To obtain the treasurer to free the prisoner, demanding tasks or heroic struggles must be successfully completed.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Caernarfon Castle was constructed at Caernarfon in Gwynedd, north-west Wales, by King Edward I of England, following his conquest of Gwynedd in 1283. Drawing by Megalobo.

Castles represent authority, dominance, power, romance, safety, sovereignty, and wealth. In heraldry the castle is symbolic of grandeur, nobility, solidity, and strategy.

In Sandplay – Silent Workshop of the Psyche, Bradway and McCoard view the castle as an androgynous symbol. "As a place to live in, it is a feminine image; as a fortress, it is a masculine image." The authors suggest that the use of this symbol may represent the bringing together of feminine and masculine aspects.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If a client uses a castle miniature, what does the item represent? Of course, much of the answer depends on the particular client, their history, and process. In my sandplay collection, the castle most often used was a sandcastle made to replicate the type of structure one would build at the beach. The sandcastle surface is covered with sand so the miniature is very realistic. Did clients use this particular sandcastle because my practice was in an area close to the coast? Are clients drawn to this castle miniature because of their experience of building sandcastles at the beach? There were many other stone castles from which to choose. Only occasionally were the fairytale castles placed in a scene. If I practiced in a region of the Rhine River in Germany, where castles tower above the river at almost every turn, would clients use castle miniatures as a symbol of protection and power more often? Symbols carry powerful personal and collective meanings. It is always interesting and challenging to decipher and to understand the meaning of sandplay miniatures for individual clients.

The Castle of Lichtenstein, also known as "Castle of the Faerie Tale", is located on a cliff next to Honau in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. Drawing by  Megalobo.

A Short List of Black and White

Black angel – fallen angel

Black animals – power of darkness; devourer of the sun and the moon

Black Annis of Leicester – British folklore wind hag

Black Arky – Celtic demon of darkness

Black art – magical evil powers

Blackberry – Celtic fairy fruit

Blackbird – bad luck, evil

Black cat – necromancer

Black cloak – ignorance

Black clouds – in Chinese art the symbol of floods

Black dog – melancholy

Black-faced Madonna – sorrow, sadness, sympathy for men

Black-faced virgin – represents night when the creatrix is the most attentive to her duties

Black flag – piracy, death, sacrifice

Black heart – evil person

Black mountains – Navajo mythological mountains of the north which covered the earth nightly

     in darkness

Black Rose – silence, symbol of the initiate

Black serpent – Chinese symbol of the North

Black swan – something rare

Black tortoise – Chinese guardian of the North and water

 

White animals – sacrificed to light and sky deities

White bird – soul, spirit of life

White bull – recipient of an external soul

White-clay men – Greek ritual dancers covered in white clay to represent Titans and giants

White conch shell – symbol of bliss, deity trumpet

White cow – cloud aspect of the mother goddess

White crane – Japanese symbol of longevity

White crow – symbol of a rare or unusual occurrence

White dog – cloud; wind; Khen -pa, the Tibetan Old Father, controller of sky demons

White dove – departed spirit, soul

White feather – cowardice, American Indian peace sign

White flag – surrender

White flowers – Japanese symbol of the feminine

White garment – incorruptible, light, truth

White goddess – universal mother in her moon aspect

White horse – celestial knowledge

White lamb – innocence

White lily – emblem of virgin mothers

White magic – enchantments for good purposes

White Mountains – Navajo mythological mountains of the East, which cause day

White mule – written to heaven by Mohammed

White ox – sacrificed to the sun by Arabs

White pebbles – grave gifts

White rose – virginity

Symbolism of the Color White

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

White has many positive associations and few negative ones. White represents light, sun, illumination, sacredness, purity, virginity, and the transcendent. White is the Tibetan color of Mount Meru, the mountain at the center of the world, which embodies ascent to enlightenment. In the Orient, Ancient Greece, and Rome, white is the color of mourning.

White is often associated with the cardinal directions. White is the Egyptian, Aztec, Celtic, and Japanese symbol of the South. For people from Yucatán, South America, and India white represents the North. In Ceylon, Java, Siberia, and Tibet, white is the symbol of the East. In Navajo mythology, why is the symbol of the East and dawn, and also represent the maize from which first man came. White represents the West in Chinese lore.

As a symbol of life and love, death and burial, brides wear white to represent death of the old life and birth into the new. Deities clothed in white robes were symbolic of love-life-death. Aphrodite of the tombs; the Scandinavian, Freyja, goddess of love; and the Teutonic Hel/Freyja, the goddess of death, wore white garments.

In alchemy, White is the femina alba, the White Lily, and represents woman, the feminine principle, the moon, silver, quicksilver, the purity of undivided light, and the second stage of the Great Work.

For Amerindians, white is the color of sacredness and the Aztec color of the dying sun and night. In Buddhist mythology and belief, white is the color of self-mastery, redemption, and Sitatara, the White Tara, the highest spiritual transformation through womanhood, the Mother of all Buddhas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sitatara, the White Tara from www.jampaydorje.com/info.html

 

Chinese mythology tales of the White Tiger, Pai Hu, symbol of longevity, dignity, and military prowess. In China, why is the color of Autumn, metal, and mourning. The emperor wears white when worshipping the moon. 

White represents the purified soul, joy, purity, virginity, innocent, and the holy life in Christianity. White is worn at all sacraments: baptism, confirmation, first communion, marriage, and death.

In Hinduism, white symbolizes pure consciousness, self-illumination, and light.

Does Color Amplify the Meaning of Miniatures?

 

 

 

 

 

 

After researching the meaning of the colors black and white, I reviewed the miniatures in my sandplay collection. There are many items in the category of black and white; including figures, animals, and natural objects such as stones and shells. I begin to wonder if the combination of the symbolism of the color black or white and the symbolism of the miniatures amplified or enhanced the meaning of the miniatures. I begin to review client’s trays to discern any additional meanings with this new information. I noticed trays that seemed to focus on color as well as miniatures. Most notably trays done in gold, silver, or predominately white miniatures. As I have noticed in the past…I have more information for musing and for looking at trays with an expanded perspective. Does it ever end? I hope not.

More Miniatures!

More miniatures added to my Etsy shop, Remember That 1. Link to online shop at top right of this blog's home page.

New items include wedding figures and miniature furniture.

Religious and Structure Miniatures Now Available for Sale

New religious figures and religious miniatures, along with structures, have been posted online.  Structures include cottages, circus tent, churches, houses, and a general store.

Simply click on the link to my online Etsy shop "Remember That?" at the top right hand corner of the blog's home page.  If there are any miniatures you are looking to add to your collection, contact me and I will be happy to let you know if I have what you are looking for.

Also, if you know  of other sandplay therapists building their collection, please share this information with them.

Thank you...

More Miniatures Posted

New miniatures just posted at my online Etsy shop: Remember That 1 

Male and female figures are there now. Upcoming miniatures will include more human figures, babies, religious figures and items, and structures.

Simply click on the link at the top right corner of the blog home page.  Let me know if you have any questions or if there is anything in particular you are looking to add to your sandplay collection.

Miniatures From Animation, Comics, and Pop Culture

To include or not to include…That is the question.

At one of the sandplay consultation group meetings I belonged to, I posed the question regarding whether or not to include figures from animation, comics, and pop culture in a sandplay collection. Before meeting with the group, I reviewed books about sandplay and the STA Journal of Sandplay Therapy for pictures of trays and the criteria for a sandplay collection. Some of the issues of the STA journal revealed the following miniatures used in trays: Gumby, Star Wars figures (good and evil), Smurfs, Snow White, The Seven Dwarves, Wicked Queen (beautiful and crone image), Barbie, Skipper, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Lone Ranger, Spiderman, the genii from Aladdin, Dorothy (Wizard of Oz), Glenda (good witch of the West) the wicked witch of the East, Cruella DeVille, Goofy, and Spock from Star Trek.

 

As part of my query to the group I brought miniatures representing archetypal images, both ancient and modern. To represent compassion, I placed Kwan-yin and Counselor Troy from Star Trek before the group. For wisdom and sage advice, I brought a male Chinese figure representing wisdom and Yoda from Star Wars. Plastic figures of William Wallace from the movie Braveheart, a medieval knight, and a Ninja warrior were among the miniatures presented to the group (all in similar combat position with long staffs for fighting).

 

We did not agree on the issue of incorporating or banning popular figures from a collection, yet we did clarify and discuss our thoughts and feelings regarding this interesting question. Some of the points and additional questions were:

 

Our own sandplay process and experience was a deciding factor in whether we would include these types of characters in our collection.

 

If these types of images are not included and they are part of a client's "language", is it limiting if they are not available?

 

Given that many children are more often on their own, do figures of this type help represent an "extended family" that is part of their experience? And if these items represent an extended family and are part of a children symbolic language, is it limiting to exclude them?

 

Young boys who may have issues with their fathers often use Star Wars figures. Do these characters allow the problem to be once removed so there is less resistance to playing out issues?

 

Is there a relationship between one's eclectic collection and how one approaches the work with clients?

 

Is it important to have items clients can feel comfortable with and can relate to. These types of miniatures may represent a stepping stone to the archetypal.

 

What do you think?

 

New Miniatures and Blog Posts Update

NEW miniatures have been posted at my online Etsy shop.  Items include sea life, shells, birds, and equine (horses, asses and zebras).

You can access my Etsy shop by clicking on the link at the upper right hand corner of my blog's homepage, above the photo of the dragonfly.  Or Google etsy.com and enter RememberThat1 in the search bar or use the link below:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RememberThat1?

At my Etsy shop, you can view miniatures for sale under the section "miniatures".

 

On another note...

Future Dragonfly blog posts will include:

Supernatural, Mythological, and Fabulous Birds

Equus (horse, asses, and zebra symbolism and myth)

Telling The Story: Sand Painting

Telling The Story:  Australian Aboriginal Painting

Miniatures For Sale

More sandplay miniatures posted! Pagodas, figures, gargoyles, and more.

You can access my Etsy shop by clicking on the link at the upper right hand corner of my blog's homepage, above the photo of the dragonfly.  Or Google etsy.com and enter RememberThat1 in the search bar or use the link below:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RememberThat1?

At my Etsy shop, you can view miniatures for sale under the section "miniatures".

I have many categories of miniatures for sale; too numerous to list here.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

What Do I Need for a Sandplay Therapy Collection?

In a wonderful (full of wonder) article in the Spring 1992 issue of the Journal of Sandplay, Gretchen Hegeman writes about the meaning and construction of a sandplay collection. She discusses the importance of the process of discovery and the relationship of a therapist’s collection to themselves and their souls. She also states that while "each sandplay collection is unique and personal”, she offers guidelines for starting a collection.

Nature:

            earth – rocks, stones, mountains, crystals

            ocean – coral, shells, sea glass, driftwood

            plants – trees, shrubs, sticks, moss, flowers

Animals:

            wild – world-wide birds, snakes, mammals, fish, insects

            domestic – horses, cows, sheep, chickens, dogs, cats

            prehistoric – dinosaurs

            fantasy – dragons, unicorns, monsters

People:

            ordinary – working, walking, sitting, playing, families

            occupations – farmers, doctors, nurses, firefighters, clergy, athletes, police officers

            fantasy – wizards, witches, dwarves, sci-fi, scary figures

            different cultures – different races and levels of society throughout the ages

            religious - figures form many cultures

Transportation:

            land, sea, air vehicles

            military and work equipment

            transportation throughout the ages

Buildings:  churches, schools, stores, houses, lighthouses, windmills, castles, tepee, igloo, tent, straw houses, log home

Structures:  bridges, fences, wells, towers

Equipment:  work, farm, household, musical instruments

Furniture:  doll house, bath, kitchen, living room, bed

Miscellaneous:  mirrors, flags, umbrella, feathers, candles, bonfires, string

Items I would include:

bride and groom, babies, knights, royalty, gargoyles, huts, tunnels, gates, pagodas, fountains, cacti, emergency vehicles, road/construction signs, pinecones, pods, nests, eggs, containers, ladder, clock, keys, lamps, lanterns, treasures (jewels, marbles, glass pebbles), ribbons, celestial bodies (moon, sun, stars), animal bones.

In talking with other sandplay therapists and in viewing collections in person or in presentations, the variety is amazing and exciting. Once we begin to bring together basic and personal items, we can choose to add special items to enhance and to expand our sandplay miniature collection.

Sandplay Miniatures Collection For Sale

I am selling some of my sandplay miniatures.  Items will be posted almost daily at my online Etsy shop. 

You can access my Etsy shop by clicking on the link at the upper right hand corner of my blog's homepage, above the photo of the dragonfly.  Or Google etsy.com and enter RememberThat1 in the search bar or use the link below:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RememberThat1?

At my Etsy shop, you can view miniatures for sale under the section "miniatures".

I have many categories of miniatures for sale; too numerous to list here.  If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.

Your Miniature Collection

I recently wrote a post titled "Where Does One Find Sandplay Miniatures (June 1, 2016).

If you have a sandplay collection, are starting one, or add to yours occasionally, please add a "Comment" at the end of  this post.  It is always helpful to know less obvious places to find great miniatures.  Or comment about one of your better finds.

My colleague and supervisior used to wish we had a "miniature making machine" that would shrink items for our sandplay collections. 

I look forward to your comments...

 

Where Does One Find Sandplay Miniatures?

There are many sources for sandplay miniatures with a nature or elemental motif: hobby and craft stores, yard sales, and museum gift shops. I have also found wonderful natural items while hiking or walking along the shore. You can take plain objects and transform them for your collection.

Small wooden stars, circles or spheres, found a craft stores, can be painted gold or silver. Small stones can be spray-painted to look like gold nuggets.

Fabric stores have both ribbon and craft items. I have different lengths and shades of green and blue ribbon, tied in a knot at one end, to represent water. Red, yellow, and orange ribbons, tied at one end can represent fire. I buy different widths of ribbon to create these bendable, movable symbols for water and fire. I also look at buttons and other craft items at fabric stores. You might find metal suns, moons, and stars that are used for jewelry making. Also, beads and jewels can be found and are important to include in a sandplay collection. The bright and shiny jewels in my collection have been frequently used as treasure or as a symbol of something highly valued.

Pet stores that sell tropical fish often sell shells, coral, and polished glass pebbles or sea glass. These items can be used by clients to represent the element of water.

Dollhouse miniatures are a great source for birdbaths, ponds, wells, and fountains. You can also find trees, flowers, and plants. Lamps and lanterns for doll houses are good symbols for the element of fire in the form of illumination. With the latest trend of creating miniature fairy gardens, many miniatures for these projects can be found at garden centers and craft and hobby stores.

I also have small ceramic tile pieces in my sandplay collection in a wide variety of sizes and colors. A large blue green tile has been used as a body of water and many small red, yellow, and orange tiles have been used to represent fire.

Go shopping and take your imagination with you!

Nature and Elemental Miniatures for Sandplay Therapy

Following is a list of miniatures related to the theme of nature and/or the elements for sandplay:

earth: pebbles, stones, rocks (polished and natural), semi-precious stones, crystals, volcano, mountain, cave, tunnel, gold nuggets (pebbles spray painted gold), jewels (found at bead and craft stores)

water: well, fountain, pond, mirror, blue/green tiles, shells, sea glass, coral, clouds, blue/green ribbon

fire: fire, campfire, thunderbolt, cauldron, hearth, fireplace, candles, lantern, lamp, red/yellow/orange fabric/ribbon

air: feathers, winged miniatures

vegetation: trees, plants, flowers, cacti, moss, lichen, twigs, sticks, wood, burls, pods, pinecones

sky: sun, moon, stars, rainbow, lightning bolts