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Sandplay Therapists of America

Gillotti, Susan. THE TURTLE: SYMBOL OF ANCIENT WISDOM AND NEW LIFE  

Gillotti, Susan. The Turtle: Symbol of Ancient Wisdom and New Life

Volume 11, Number 1, 2002 (Volume XI, Number 1, 2002)

KEY WORDS: turtle, animal, sandplay therapy, symbol, clinical example, anima.

The inclusion of animals in a sandplay process can mean that they are reflecting back to us some aspect of ourselves that needs integration. Turtles often appear in creation stories. They have strong outer shells that offer protection as they journey. Turtles are ancient creatures and survivors. They are clever, winning races by their wits instead of their speed. Turtles are also orphans, abandoned by their mothers after egg-laying. They need to find a way to live independently. This paper discusses creation stories and natural history aspects of the turtle, and concludes with the case of a 51-year old man who was seeking his creativity.

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