![[Rainbow diagram]](rbdiag.gif)
As you describe it, make reference to the "beginning" of the rainbow (generally the left), and the "end" of the rainbow. Embellish this description. I often mention, when referring to the (right) end of the rainbow that myth and legend tell us that this is where a pot of gold is to be found.
Introduce the idea of crystal balls and the notion of being able to look into them and see images. Take a couple of minutes doing this so that the client will have the time to build useful representations. These crystals will be placed on the rainbow, evenly spaced from left to right.Note: You can establish all seven crystals at once and have them be “empty” until you address each of them individually, OR you can place the crystals on the rainbow one by one as you need them in the process.
"Now" can mean whatever your client prefers. It could be this present moment in the hypnotist’s office, or it could be this period in the client’s life. Invite the client to look at the NOW crystal and see a dissociated image of themself in the present. (The images in all of the crystals should be dissociated.)
Suggest to the client that an image can present itself in this crystal at the left end of the rainbow which represents the beginning of the issue that they are working on. This could be an initial event, or the earliest memory that the client has about this issue. Let the client use whatever image comes and insure them they don't need to be concerned about whether it's the "right" image, but to accept whatever is offered by their unconscious mind.
Orient the client to the right end of the rainbow. The place where the pot of gold belongs. Suggest to them that in that crystal an image will emerge that represents them as they will be in the future when the presenting issue is completely resolved. Make sure that the image is attractive, desirable, and truly compelling. Ascertain that all of the qualities the client wants are somehow represented in the crystal.
Review the structure of the rainbow, the location of the crystals and their meaning.
Invite the client to see two images representing the development of the situation in two crystals which are located between the beginning and NOW. This development could take the form of further problems, or of discoveries, or of the decision to go into therapy, etc.
As before just remind the client about what you have so far, making reference to the various images and their location on the rainbow moving from left to right. The purpose of this is to keep the client with you and to indirectly suggest to them that we are dealing with a time line that has a beginning, moves through some developmental stages to the present and ends successfully.
At this point, I turn away from the rainbow and talk to the client about experiences of fog or some other experience of being unable to see things clearly. In order to "soften the transition", I will often tell my client that "It might seem like an unusual thing to talk about the fog, but I know that unusual things can be very interesting and particularly useful ..." This should be a pleasant experience. I often talk to my clients about the way the fog comes in to the California coast (where I live and work) and what a beautiful thing that can be. I describe the fog as a comfortable, warm blanket and mention that sometimes it's so thick that "you can't even see your hand in front of your face."
Reorient the client to the rainbow and remind them that there are still two crystals that have not yet been addressed. I tell my clients that, just as we have been talking about the fog, I wouldn't be surprised if these two crystals aren't similarly filled with fog. Since we can't know just how the changes that lie ahead are going to unfold, it makes sense that these images be somewhat obscure. Take your time here to give the client’s unconscious mind a chance to consider what might be in these crystals.
Invite the client to turn the rainbow 90 degrees so that the outcome crystal (Crystal # 3) is in the center of client’s body (could be head, heart, or Solar Plexus or wherever client considers appropriate).
Invite the client to experience a felt sense of that future crystal and to discover how it will be to actually be in that future. Invite them to discover how their life will be for them to be there. Make sure that they are associated and are experiences these events as if they were true now.
Tell your client that they can, from this place out in the future, look back over the rainbow, seeing as history the images that are in the other crystals (Origin, Development, Now, and the other two vague, fog filled ones). Invite your client to notice how it is, from out there in the future they can look back that past with a new perspective. (When referring to the "now" crystal, take care not to re-orient the client to the present but tell them that they can see that day back in April of 1996, or whenever the session occurred, when the two of you discussed this issue and made some important changes.
While this step is optional, it can be extremely valuable as it provides feedback for you and can serve as a convincer for your client. Get a signal from the unconscious indicating that it has attended to the process and is prepared to use the learnings it has gained to proceed toward resolution of the presenting issue.
