Tarot: Reaching the Mind

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Feb 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Indigo Rose	19 Feb 2004
My father has Dementia. He has experienced a sharp decline in functioning within the past 3 months; which finally led to hospitalization and now placement in a Nursing Care Facility. At this point, it looks like this will be a long-term placement; though we don't even know how long he will be with us. He is disoriented and confused, and very difficult to reach. However, I go to be with him daily. I have started an experiment with my Tarot cards. I brought my Radiant Rider deck today and started pulling cards to show him and see what his responses would be. I pulled the 10 of Pentacles and he loved that card. He identified with it. The old man, the patriach of the family, surrounded by his children and grandchildren; and his dogs. He lived a good life and took care of his family, and now it is his turn to be taken care of. I saw his eyes light up as I described what was in this picture. He looked at the bright colors in awe, and had a real look of peace at this scene. This touched my heart today as I saw the Tarot reach beyond the barriers in my father's mind and speak to him. I intend to continue trying to reach him, for as long as I can. I wanted to share the BLESSING of this GIFT with all of you. EACH passing day, I am seeing more and more how GOD has richly blessed humankind. I see how TAROT is one of those gifts. Blessings, Indigo Rose

Wildwood	19 Feb 2004
Your story touches my heart too. My thoughts are with you. Wildwood

Simone	19 Feb 2004
Sad and beautiful at the same time... I'm with you, Indigo Rose, and send you energy and strength to face your situation with courage! Light and love Simone

SongDeva	19 Feb 2004
Thank you for sharing Indigo Rose.

Mimers	19 Feb 2004
"A picture is worth a thousand words." Indigo Rose, love and light to you and your Dad. This must be so hard for you. He is very lucky to have such a wonderful daughter. Blessings, Mimi

lark	19 Feb 2004
My father-in-law had Dementia. And my heart goes out to you Indigo Rose. My father-in law found great comfort in the last years of his life by thinking that he was cutting the grass with his wheel chair. I took care of him in his last years and he would go over the carpet back and forth thinking that he was outside cutting the grass. He'd come to eat his lunch with a big smile on his face, so glad he had accomplished all that grass cutting all morning. He was such a sweet heart. And I was glad to jump out of his way everytime he'd roll past me and yell... "Get out of the way or I'll cut your feet off!" So funny when I think of it now. But it gave him such joy, I was happy to play the game with him. You've found a wonderful way to stay connected with your father. And the memories you make will be precious to you later. All my Blessings Indigo Rose.

Alissa	19 Feb 2004
My paternal grandmother also had dementia. One of the last visits I ever had with her, she was staying with my father. I put a big white star on the door to the bedroom that was hers, it was a small house, but she kept getting lost anyhow. She was a precious woman to me, even until her own end. :) I think you've found a wonderful way to stay connected to your father Indigo Rose. Your story is just lovely to hear....

STARGAZING	19 Feb 2004
Indigo Rose, You are in my thoughts, and please enjoy and remember all the great memories you have and will experience in your time together. Glad to hear the Tarot can give such strength in times like this. Be strong,

MeeWah	19 Feb 2004
((((((Indigo Rose)))))) Hard to see a loved one deteriorate, but wonderful that ye found a way to communicate with your father via Tarot! That ye honour & love your father whilst ye still can by your attention to him speaks volumes. Making the most of the quality time together shalt be of comfort now & later.

Moongold	19 Feb 2004
Indigo Rose ~ Thank you for telling us this wonderful story. What an imaginative way to communicate with your father. :) Moongold

skytwig	19 Feb 2004
Quote: Originally posted by lark My father-in law found great comfort in the last years of his life by thinking that he was cutting the grass with his wheel chair. ... He'd come to eat his lunch with a big smile on his face, so glad he had accomplished all that grass cutting all morning. He was such a sweet heart. And I was glad to jump out of his way everytime he'd roll past me and yell... "Get out of the way or I'll cut your feet off!" This is marvelous, lark!!!! When my husband was dying of cancer and was in the hospital for the last time, I made his room as cozy as I could... ordered the nurses to keep the overheads off and brought in little lamps... hung mobiles and big pictures of beautiful places.... had them play classical music that I brought in..... Stimulating the senses is so important .... Your father is very connected to his vision, which is wonderful..... I wonder if he would enjoy children's picture books. There are so many marvelous books to pick from.....

Indigo Rose	19 Feb 2004
Thank you ALL for your kindness and loving encouragement. You are beautiful people. Alissa, thanks for sharing about your grandmother. What a creative idea of marking her room with a white star! Lark, thank you for sharing about your father-in-law and his "cutting the grass". It is a great reminder that people with Dementia still have active minds, they just can't process things right. Skytwig, thank you for sharing about your husband. You gave him comfort and a loving passage. Blessings to you. I share your thoughts on the Children's books. I think that is a great idea. One of the things that makes Tarot such a powerful tool is all of that rich picture imagery. The old saying, " A picture is worth a thousand words" holds true. I will keep you all updated on my Tarot journeys with my father. Thanks for sharing and letting me share in such a warm environment. Blessings to ALL of you, Indigo Rose

lunakasha	19 Feb 2004
Thank you, Indigo, for sharing your beautiful experience with all of us. I think it is definitely a gift, as you said, to be able to find a way to connect and communicate with your father through the images on the cards. I hope that you will continue to spark new *conversations* with him, and that you will let us know how both of you are doing. Blessings to you both! :) Luna

Aerten	19 Feb 2004
Oh Indigo Rose, what a heartbreakingly beautiful story. It's so wonderful that you found such a rich medium with which to communicate to your father. I'll never forget what you shared when I draw the ten of pentacles. Bless you and your father, from the bottom of my heart. -Aerten

starsongs	19 Feb 2004
Indigo Rose, What an incredible story. How awesome that you could see your Dad respond to the 10 of pentacles, and that you can connect with him in this fashion using tarot cards...:-) :-) This must be such a difficult passage for your whole family. How fortunate your Dad is that you will be there with him throughout it. Thoughts and prayers are with you all... Blessings, starsongs

Indigo Rose	09 Mar 2004
My father died today. He is finally free from the pain and burdens of this life. I am just thankful that I had this past 3 months to be with him and say my goodbyes. Some of you may have know from other posts, that I have been receiving messages about his death for the past year. It started a year ago in March with a death dream, which led me to do Tarot readings for my father. Many cards indicated death. I continued to have dreams periodically, as did my mother. I believe God has been preparing us all along, so that in his passing we are not shocked. However the grief is deep and the 3 of Swords best describes my heart. Yet, the last reading I did for him I got the 4 of Swords, the Sun, Judgment, and the World. I believe he is at rest from the toils of pain and sorrow, and rejoicing in paradise. He was a beautiful soul that lived in LOVE and taught by example to all his family to do the same. Thanks for letting me share. Blessings, Indigo Rose

Astraea	10 Mar 2004
Oh, what a blessed time you were able to share with your father -- and the last reading you did for him says it all: his life is seen as gloriously consummated and in sync with the universe. May you and your entire family be guided in the most loving ways through this bittersweet transition, and may tarot continue to be a light upon the path.

Star Spirit	10 Mar 2004
I'm sorry to hear about your father, Indigo Rose. I'm glad that you were able to reach him in such a meaningful way with the tarot before he passed on. What a beautiful story. You both have my blessings.

Simone	10 Mar 2004
sorry for your loss. But it was good you were prepared and could help him with his pasage! Light and love Simone

Diana	10 Mar 2004
May he continue his journey in peace and with joy. To you, dear Indigo Rose, I extend my very deepest sympathy and hold you tight in my arms. Losing a loved father is a sorrowful experience. Only time has the ability to take away the emptiness of the loss. ((((((((((Indigo Rose)))))))))

purple_scorp	10 Mar 2004
Dear Indigo Rose. My thoughts are with you. May you have the strength and courage to continue on your own journey; and the imagination and creativity to remember the good times that you shared. Sending you light, love and hugs. warmest regards purple_scorp

starsongs	10 Mar 2004
Dear Indigo Rose, Thoughts and prayers are with you, your mom, and family through this difficult time. I'm so sorry for your loss. Love, Blessings and (((hugs)))) Starsongs

Mimers	10 Mar 2004
(((((IndigoRose))))) I am sending you and your Mom my love and some comfort to help you through this lonely time. Mimi

cartarum	12 Mar 2004
actually, tarot has everything to do with psychology. definitely keep it up.

Phoenyx*	12 Mar 2004
Thank you for sharing this with us Indigo Rose! :) I hope both of you find peace in the coming months.

MeeWah	12 Mar 2004
((((((Indigo Rose)))))) So sorry for your loss. May ye, your mother & your family be comforted & assisted at this most difficult time. Your last reading speaks so eloquently. He is free of the pain & the burdens of earth & has awakened to a new passage.

Kazz	12 Mar 2004
(((((((Indigo Rose)))))) I am sorry for you loss. I too, know what it is like to have a family member suffer from demetia, to watch them fade away only to have them pass over. I know my grandpa is at peace now as is your father. That specail time you spent with your dad was so lovely, I am sure he has taken that with him. My thoughts are with you and your family Take care:) (((((((((Hugs)))))))))) Cheers Kazz

Nevada	13 Mar 2004
Indigo Rose, You're giving your father a very special gift of your presence and the cards you love. I'm sure that you do reach him, whether he's able to express himself or not. Hugs, Nevada

TemperanceAngel	13 Mar 2004
((((Indigo Rose)))) What a wonderful and beautiful story to share... My thoughts are with you. XTAX

The Tarot: Reaching the Mind thread was originally posted on 19 Feb 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.