OH Cards: Techniques for Working with Associative Cards

OH Cards consist of 88 images and 88 words, creating 7,744 possible combinations. Developed by Moritz Egetmeyer, they're designed to trigger unconscious associations and insights.

Core Working Techniques

Random Draw Method

How to conduct:

1. Client draws one image card and one word card blindly
2. Cards are placed together, time allowed for absorption
3. Ask: "What story do these cards tell about your situation?"
4. Follow with: "What surprises you about this combination?"

When to use: To bypass logical defenses, obtain unexpected insights.

Intentional Selection

How to conduct:

1. All cards are spread face-up
2. Client chooses cards that "speak" to them about their question
3. Chosen image and word are combined
4. Explore conscious choice + unconscious response

When to use: When element of control is important, for exploring conscious preferences.

Image-First Approach

How to conduct:

1. Client selects image card that resonates
2. Facilitator randomly selects word card
3. Explore how unexpected word reframes chosen image

When to use: When client is stuck in familiar thinking patterns.

Word-First Approach

How to conduct:

1. Client draws word card first
2. Then selects image that connects to the word
3. Explore how conscious image choice interprets random word

When to use: For abstract or philosophical questions.

Advanced Techniques

Dialogue Method

Structure:

• Each person (client and facilitator) draws an image-word combination
• Cards "speak" to each other in dialogue
• Useful for relationship work or internal conflicts
• Can represent different aspects of self or relationship dynamics

Storytelling Progression

Process:

1. Draw 3-5 image-word combinations
2. Create narrative connecting all combinations
3. Identify protagonist, challenges, resources, outcome
4. Map story elements to real-life situation

Projection Technique

Method:

1. Client selects cards representing "someone else's" problem
2. Discuss the "other person's" situation freely
3. Gradually connect insights back to client's situation
4. Useful for highly defended or shameful topics

Session Structure

Opening (5-10 minutes)

• Explain that cards are mirrors, not fortune-telling
• Client holds their question or situation in mind
• Create relaxed, curious atmosphere

Exploration (20-30 minutes)

• Card selection using chosen method
• Open-ended inquiry without interpretation
• Follow client's associations and meanings
• Ask about feelings, memories, connections

Integration (10-15 minutes)

• "What stands out most from this session?"
• "What would you like to remember from these cards?"
• "What might you do differently based on this insight?"
• Optional: photo of cards for later reflection

Working with Resistance

"This doesn't make sense"

Strategy:

• Normalize confusion as part of the process
• Ask: "What if it did make sense? What would that be?"
• Explore the resistance itself as information

"I don't see anything"

Approaches:

• Suggest describing just what's literally in the image
• Ask about colors, emotions, or physical sensations
• Sometimes less is more - honor minimal responses

Over-interpretation

Redirection:

• Gently redirect elaborate meanings back to personal relevance
• Ask: "How does this connect to your life right now?"
• Focus on felt sense over analytical explanation

Questions for Deepening Work

Basic Questions

• "What draws you to this card?"
• "If this image could speak, what would it say?"
• "What feelings arise when you look at this?"
• "What does this remind you of from your life?"

Integration Questions

• "What would change if you embodied this card's message?"
• "What first step could you take based on this insight?"
• "How can you remember this wisdom in daily life?"

Deep Work Questions

• "What does this card know about you that you don't know yourself?"
• "What part of you responds to this image?"
• "What wants to heal through this card?"

Closure and Integration

Creating Anchors

• Choose one card as "message of the day"
• Formulate key insight in one sentence
• Identify specific action or awareness shift

Gratitude

• Thank the cards for their messages
• Acknowledge wisdom that came through the session
• Honor the process of exploration and discovery

OH Cards are tools for dialogue with the unconscious. They don't provide answers but create space for them to emerge. The key is trusting the process and allowing meanings to arise naturally.