…circle of heaven, the center, realized in earth, the square, emanating in the four directions…

…circle of heaven, the center, realized in earth, the square, emanating in the four directions…

“Often the hands will solve a mystery that the intellect has struggled with in vain.”   C. G. Jung

In this current age and time that rushes toward the future, the simplicity and depth of Sandplay provides a space for contact with the inner, symbolic world. A basic premise of Sandplay is that psyche possesses a natural tendency to heal itself, given the proper conditions. Similar to our physical wounds that heal under beneficial conditions, the psyche has an instinctual wisdom that emerges when able to operate naturally.

Sandplay is “hands on” psychological work, and is an adjunct to talk therapy. It is a powerful therapeutic method that facilitates the psyche’s natural capacity for healing.

In a “free and protected” space provided by a trained sandplay therapist, the client creates a concrete manifestation from his or her imagination using sand, water, and miniature objects. In this way Sandplay helps honor and illuminate the client’s internal symbolic world, providing a place for its expression within a safe container.

With sufficient time and understanding, a sandplay experience can lead the client into layers of experience that are pre-verbal and long forgotten to the conscious mind. Through the tangible emergence of personal and archetypal symbols in the tray in a safe environment, the client moves toward a sense of balance and wholeness.

Harriet Friedman and Rie Rogers Mitchell

Additional readings