Introduction

In helping professions, especially when a person chooses this profession out of inner motivation, it is usually the best of the best who become involved without any claim to external polish, because they do not just do a job but offer people, the world, and life themselves. And this every day, in every one of their life situations, regardless of their own problems. They know and sense that people are given problems so that they can solve them, even through self-help, within their psychological, social, and material possibilities.

Their conviction may unconsciously arise from what has also been found in practice: that the source of change in any difficult life situation lies deep in the psyche of the social client.

This potential source, which awaits realization in every person, we have called individual potential in several works.

If we talk about the individual potential of social clients, then the individual potential of social workers is no less important in performing activities in social work. It is necessary to systematically support the social workers themselves so they have motivation to protect and develop their own personal, spiritual, and mental wealth. We should point out to them that they should also pay attention to their own human needs, which should be satisfied for their own good and for the good of their clients as well. Social work is person-focused, and its quality depends on the quality of the professional activities of specific social workers, because social work concerns first and foremost interpersonal communication and relationships. This article is dedicated to those social workers who are willing to work on developing their own psychological and social potential in the interest of their human growth.

© copyright Mária Machalová Method: The symbolism of surface and signs in tree drawing and handwriting - a comparative diagnostic method. Learn yourself through tree drawing and handwriting — a projective method and graphological comparison.

Task: On plain, unlined paper - format A4, draw yourself as a tree. On plain unlined paper write 3 lines of text in cursive.

Evaluation: Divide the paper surface horizontally and vertically into 4 sectors (parts).

Examine where your tree is placed on the paper surface:

  1. Is it more to the left or to the right?
  2. Is it more in the upper or lower part of the paper surface?
  3. What is the tree crown like? Is it large, small, bushy, only branches, with fruits, with flowers?
  4. What is the trunk like? Thick or thin, smooth or rough, tall or short, robust, fragile?
  5. What are the roots like? Does it have roots or not, are they strong, weak, indicated by grass, earth?

Introduction to the interpretation of the projective tree-drawing method

Every person is a unique being. And in a unique way, each behaves, living through time and space in their life. For the graphologist, the paper surface (of varying size) represents the space of personality life. On it, the writer actualizes themselves through written expression (handwriting, drawing, or scribbling). Writing is a symbol and a meaningful image through which we perceive the originality of the past, the present, and the direction of personality into the future. There are no two human beings in the world with identical written expression. Even identical twins are not excepted. And therefore your tree, which you draw, is definitely different from the trees of others. It captures just you, because you have projected your personality into it, your consciousness and subconscious, your orientation toward spiritual or material aspects of life, your feelings of groundedness in life, your feelings about yourself, that is, your experience of self. A tree is you—"here and now" in the present situation, in which, however, everything you have experienced so far and what you are experiencing now is also contained. From this immediate self-experience arise your expectations and motivations in life.

1. Dividing the surface into upper, middle, and lower bands

Let us look at the paper surface from a graphological perspective, namely at where the individual parts of the tree drawing are located:

  • the crown of the tree is located in the upper band of the surface
  • the trunk of the tree is located in the middle band of the surface
  • the roots of the tree are located in the lower band of the surface

If we look at the tree with the eyes of psychoanalyst S. Freud, we can interpret a tree drawing as follows: The crown of the tree symbolically represents: Superconsciousness - Superego (Nadja) of the person, that is, internalized social norms, morality, written and unwritten laws of behavior and conduct that the person has acquired from people who are close and distant. The trunk of the tree symbolically represents: Consciousness - Ego (I) of the person, that is, conscious experience of self, the manner of realizing and asserting oneself in life. The roots of the tree symbolically represent: Unconscious - Id (It) of the person, that is, the part of the psyche that is hidden from the person’s own eyes and from the eyes of others. The person does not perceive it in full consciousness. Yet they experience it through feelings and emotions. A person’s unconscious part is experienced and revealed in dreams and in dream-like states, as well as in states of emotional outbursts, emotional arousal, meditative states, and states of living through boundary life situations, in waking coma.

2. Dividing the surface into left and right side

From the perspective of oriental philosophical and practical spiritual teachings, the division of the paper surface into left and right can be explained as follows: Left side – represents the principle of the mother, attachment to the primary family (father and mother, close relatives), a search for certainty in one’s family roots, a return to experiences and thoughts linked to the past, immersion in memories and one’s own inner experience. Right side – represents the principle of the father, orientation toward activity, do-ness, an initiative step into life, willingness to overcome obstacles, tracking one’s goals, following life’s challenges, trust in life’s perspectives.

3. Interpreting tree drawing

Trust your intuition, sensitivity, and attentiveness when interpreting tree symbolism. Observe the placement, layout, and proportions of each part of the tree on the paper surface. Look closely at details as well as the whole tree drawing: It will allow you to understand your own experience and your own personality in an unusual way, and likewise the experience and personality of other people.

Fig. 1: Symbolism of the surface

Fig. 2: Graphological division of surface (zones of writing)

What is prominent and what is not prominent, or what is missing from your tree? Where is your tree located on the paper, that is, where are you in your life space?

Notice every regularity and irregularity of the tree and proceed as follows:

  1. upper area (zone) – note the shape of the tree crown, its bushiness, branches of the crown, whether the crown has flowers and fruit;
  2. middle area (zone) – note the thickness and shape of the tree trunk, its surface, bulges, depressions in the trunk;
  3. lower area (zone) – note the roots of the tree, their shape, thickness, whether they are distributed more to the right or left. If the tree has no roots but is standing on the ground, that is also considered a sign of roots.

Compare your findings about your tree with your handwriting.

Notice the analogy—similarity between selected parts of your tree and your writing, specifically:

A. Writing zone Upper writing zone - tree crown (unconsciousness area) – area of spirituality, ideas, imagination, faith, idealism. Middle writing zone - tree trunk (consciousness area) – area of reality, activity, behavior, action. Lower writing zone - tree roots (unconsciousness area) – area of matter, vitality, groundedness in everyday being.

B. Fullness of letter shapes

TREE CROWN: Full forms of the tree crown = full forms of the upper writing zone: this means imagination, fantasy, spiritual orientation, and poeticity. TREE TRUNK: Full forms of the tree trunk = full forms of the middle writing zone: this means emotional richness, increased self-focus; if letters are large, then also self-importance and selfishness. TREE ROOTS: Full forms of the roots = full forms of the lower writing zone: this means material needs, vitality, instinctivity, sexuality, and a movement-oriented type.

C. Slenderness of letter shapes Slender forms of the tree crown = slender forms of the upper writing zone: this means rationality, sharpness, clear and agile thinking, theoretical approach in life. Slender forms of the tree trunk = slender forms of the middle writing zone: this means emotional restraint, emotional moderation, emotional caution, inwardness, anxiety about showing oneself, anxiety, lowered self-confidence, and reduced energy for acting. Slender forms of the tree roots, or absent roots = slender forms of the lower writing zone: this means blocked needs, rationalization in the instinctive domain, lack of vitality, physical weakening, low rootedness in life, frustration from lack of support and backing.

D. Size of the middle writing zone

The height of the tree trunk = the size of the middle writing zone.

Large height of the middle writing zone = emphasized trunk height, meaning: - ability to assert oneself among people, to restore order in one’s affairs, to stand up for oneself, to progress; - passionate engagement with life, enthusiasm, the need to affirm oneself and to demand space for oneself. Small height of the middle writing zone = small trunk height, meaning: - good observational abilities, concentration of attention, matter-of-factness, criticality, thoroughness, - conscientiousness, moderation, sense of fulfilling obligations; sometimes pettiness, caution, and love of order.

E. Letter lengths Large roots = emphasized lower lengths of writing, meaning: - firm grounding in reality, earthy energy, - living life fully in everydayness, - vitality that comes from material needs, - practicality, - instincts, sexuality, - concreteness, perseverance. Or: - suppression of one’s mental and spiritual side. Large crown = emphasized upper lengths of writing, meaning: - spiritual energy, - the need to individualize one’s life in everyday reality, - vitality that comes from mental and spiritual needs, - creative images, - ideas, creative energy, - romanticism. Or: - predominance of rationality in thinking and experiencing, - dryness, suppression of the instinctive side of oneself.

Example interpretation of some findings from tree drawing together with graphological characterization

We understand tree roots, analogously to writing, as the graphological lower writing zone:

  • A tree without roots is drawn by a person who lacks a strong feeling of anchoring and grounding in family and in close relationships with other people at all.
  • The source of the feeling of insufficient rootedness, grounding, and anchoring in life is most often related to insufficient psychological and social support in childhood and also to experiencing a lack of support from others in the present.
  • Such a person seems to hover above the ground. Psychologically, they compensate for a lack of support by escaping into dreaming and lightening reality by retreating into a world of various unrealistic plans and expectations.
  • They usually do not receive social and psychological support from psychologically important people, such as parents, peers, teachers, partners, and the like.

We understand the tree crown, analogously to writing, as the graphological upper writing zone:

  • If the tree has bare branches without leaves and fruit, and does not have a full crown, the person does not possess a rich imagination, fantasy, or artistic creativity.
  • However, that person is sharp-minded and thinks with a predominance of rationality.
  • Such a person will likely not be strongly inclined toward philosophy or the spiritual sphere of life.
  • They rely more on facts, logic, and abstract thinking.

We understand the tree trunk, analogously to writing, as the graphological middle writing zone:

  • If the trunk is very thin, merely indicated by a line, or short, it may signal that the outer self/ego of the tree’s author is fragile.
  • Such a person is more likely to yield more easily to stressful and demanding life situations.
  • Their anxious experience of life situations blocks the flow of life energy through the narrow trunk toward the crown and even to the roots.
  • Figuratively speaking, the person’s psychological anxiety blocks the flow of life energy from the head (thinking) through the heart (experiencing) to bodily vitality and vice versa.
  • A thin trunk signals that the writer’s self is not strong, that they have reduced self-confidence that can be easily disrupted from the outside—by other people.
  • This person “internally emigrates” into the core of their being depending on the psychological intensity of a given situation and the negative experiences associated with it.
  • And they withdraw from contact with the world and people.

Example interpretation of findings from a tree drawing with regular proportions and arrangement on the surface

A. Tree crown = graphological upper writing zone Tree drawing: The tree has a bushy crown with fruit. - The author has a rich spiritual life, fertile thoughts and ideas. - Imagination is developed; they have a tendency toward spiritual values, and honor morality and life rules. - Their thinking is likely more imaginative, creative, and figurative than strictly logical and analytical. - They likely incline more toward art, philosophy, and religion than toward technology and science. Handwriting: - The writer likely emphasizes the upper letter lengths, which are full. - The pressure of their writing is moderate to strong.

B. Tree trunk = graphological middle writing zone Tree drawing: The tree trunk is thick, and in relation to the crown and roots, appropriately long. There are no bulges, depressions, or disturbed surface. - The author of the tree drawing has a strong self, and they emphasize their ego. - They have moderately high to high self-confidence and are aware of their values. - It is expected that in stressful situations they are resilient and cannot be easily “broken.” - Their self-image is not frayed. - In advocating their own interests, such a person may appear egoistic. Handwriting: - The writer likely emphasizes the middle writing zone, that is, their handwriting is full and large. - The pressure of their writing is moderate to strong.

C. Tree roots = graphological lower writing zone Tree drawing: The roots are distinct, strong, and sprawling, reaching deeply into the ground. - The author is well grounded, rooted in life in the present. - This probably also stems from a good family background both in childhood and currently. - They are satisfied in interpersonal contact and flexible in practical action. - They have sufficient life energy and enjoy the gifts of life (have strong needs and drives). Handwriting: - The writer likely emphasizes the lower letter lengths, which are long and full. - The pressure of their writing is strong to moderate.

D. Left and right sides of the tree surface and writing slant Tree drawing: The crown, trunk, and roots of the tree are placed in balance on the left and right. - The author has integrated experiences from childhood and their past as well as from the present in a balanced way. - They are adequately oriented toward the future and responsive to acting actively according to personal development perspectives. - Their goal orientation and rootedness likely came from a good family background in childhood and at present. - They are capable of experiencing their inner self, that is, the authenticity of their person. - They are capable of initiative collaboration with people in solving life tasks. - The personality is well integrated. - Depending on circumstances, they tend toward introversion (inwardness) and extroversion (openness) in thinking, experiencing, behavior, and action. Handwriting: - The writer has mostly vertical slant with a tendency toward right slant.

In conclusion

Instead of a conclusion, we offer readers another prompt for a “personal inventory” that relates to their relationship to themselves and can serve as a stimulus for their self-reflection and self-discovery. Because to know oneself is the most important task of every person. This holds true not only for social workers but also for all those who perform work in other helping professions. Social help will be hardly effective if a social worker does not know who they actually are, and thus their path to understanding the other person—a social client in an unbearable social situation—is blocked.

Eight steps toward positive personal change (Mária Machalová, 2005, 2014)

  1. Identify what I want to change and what I want to achieve. Set specific, small goals for every day.
  2. Determine the reasons why your resolution has not yet been realized. List the reasons specifically.
  3. Determine the consequences. What specifically will the planned change bring you, and why must you make this change? What will it be good for?
  4. Determine interim goals. Be realistic and count only on your real possibilities, as well as unpredictable disturbing events and your own tendency toward comfort.
  5. Reward yourself. Praise yourself. You did well to achieve even small changes. Praise yourself and reward yourself wherever even a little is possible.
  6. Regularly track what you have achieved. So you learn to better see what you have accomplished. Do not give up, even if you proceed slowly.
  7. A plan is not doctrine; nothing is unchangeable. You can change and adjust the plan according to life circumstances and your understanding and personal maturity.
  8. Positive inventory. From time to time, recap what you have done and managed. Even a small change is good.

Procedure: Let us learn to relax (switch off, unwind). Every day we should allow ourselves small joys, a pleasant experience. For reflection: *What small or large joys and pleasant experiences have you had today, yesterday, in the last week, in the last month...? *

I wish you much creativity, attentiveness, and motivation in understanding your tree of life.

Author: Doc. PhDr. Mária Machalová, CSc. Katedra kresťanskej antropológie a sociálnej práce Pravoslávna bohoslovecká fakulta Prešovskej univerzity References

JUNG, C. G. 1994. Duše moderního člověka. Brno: Atlantis, 1994 LAO´C. 1996. Tao Te Ťing. Bratislava: Nestor, 1996. MACHALOVÁ, M. 2010. Biodromálna psychológia pre pomáhajúce profesie (sociálnych pracovníkov, sociálnych pedagógov a andragógov). Brno: IMS, 2010. MACHALOVÁ,M. 2013. Preventívna sociálna práca - Edukačná paradigma v sociálnej práci. Prešov: Prešovská univerzita, 2013.

For illustration, we present examples of tree drawings and, at the same time, examples of handwriting. We thank the readers of the PROHUMAN journal for providing these samples, that is, readers whose topic of self-diagnosis attracted them and who contributed to it with their own self-expression.