Sand Tray

A 3D build your own tarot card

Sand tray is a beautiful and deep practice in which objects are intuitively chosen and arranged into a three dimensional altar-like tarot card of sorts, using symbols to reflect upon oneself in a moment or an intention.

I was blessed with the opportunity because a good friend of mine—who has been an art witch her whole life—unpacked her ROOMFULL of sand tray objects which she has collected over the years.

This was done just prior to my first Iboga experience—which I did a bid piece of writing about and will share soon. It was my prayer for that ritual of healing.

It includes the hydra, my many-headed inner beast/demon (which holds a key), battling/being healed by a circle of Native American warriors, an angel, Ganesha, and Chenrezig—the Buddha of compassion.

Behind them my higher self stands praising the heavens, held by disembodied, prayerful hands, a lion inclines at her feet, holding my inner child.

Also present is my confused, handcuffed exiled self being consumed by hellfire. Her hands also—all hands—are reaching up. The sparkly, icy crystal is the counterpoint, fire and ice.

In the background is the absolute witness, the single eye, perched on a fossilized sea urchin, a being which emerges from the ocean, symbolizing oneness, and another, Egyptian, feline guardian. The string of bone skull beads which encircles the scene represents the string of my past lives.

On the right, in the foreground, is rose quartz, heart healing, on the left, an unknown stone, the Unknown. Engaging in this process was both playful and powerful. It feels like both a prayer and a self portrait.