Transformation Drum

The transformation drum shown at right came from a PhotoTherapy project that asked participants to “make a box in which to put their fears.” For the creator of the drum featured here, it turned out that the “fears” placed on the outside of the box were actually strengths.

In talking about possible meanings for the symbolic images randomly chosen during creation of the box, it was found that the images represented cultural messages that women receive both directly and indirectly, telling them that it is inappropriate for females to be too emotional, sexual, loud, or strong. These powerful life force energies are then not utilized out of fear or shame.

Further exploration showed that the greatest fear of all for this woman was of her own potential power as represented by the fiery flames of passion created on the inside of the box.

The process of creating a box “to put your fears in” became a means to bring inner truth to light and transform old fears into personal power.

Self-Portrait

The process of creating a “visual self-portrait” developed into a collage of old and new photos, found images, poems and quotes. It was not only a fun and meaningful way to work with visual imagery, but the woman who created this self-portrait learned a lot about herself, such as what she chose to share with others and what she chose to keep secret. By reflecting on the visual representations of the many “selves” she had been in her life, she developed a medium through which to view her life experience as whole instead of fragmented.

Through exploration of her personal symbols, she discovered that in an old photo of herself as a little girl throwing a tantrum, she had unknowingly taken the same stance as that of an ancient, powerful image of a bird goddess. Looking at the two images together seemed to transform the little girl from someone who was nicknamed “Brat” for her tantrums, into a child who was trying to have a voice in a 50’s culture where “children should be seen and not heard.” This helped to validate and change her old negative belief of being a “Brat” into a new way of looking at this expressive child.

This kind of insight can give us new energy for today by healing old wounds from the past that block us from fully appreciating our multi-faceted Selves.

Photo-Journaling on PMS Photo-Journaling is a way to bring visual form to feelings that cannot be sufficiently articulated through verbal expression alone. The example to the right shows four pages on one woman’s experience of Pre-Menstrual Syndrome (PMS). The two pages above reflect what it feels like when she has to function out in the world with a proverbial “happy face” regardless of how she may feel physically or psychically during this time. The two pages below express her desire for time and space to honor her moon-time by taking a break from social activities and work, and focusing within.

The self-realization that came from creating these visual journal entries confirmed her experiences, which had not been validated by cultural messages, and also gave her a “visual map” that showed ways she could honor herself, one of which was to begin scheduling more downtime during this part of her cycle.