Tarot Discussion - The Hanged Man

"Hanged Man card from the Waite Deck"

 

It is very difficult to tell someone what the card is trying to tell them without seeing the rest of the reading. So, let us simply work on the various meanings of the card. First, the meaning of the card varies somewhat with the deck design and purpose of the deck. In the traditional Waite deck which is a benchmark deck for describing the cards, the Hanged Man is usually an optimistic card, at least that is my view. The card is significant because it is about letting go - let your emotions go; accept what is and that all you can do is "hang" on for the ride; surrender and experience this period of time; end the struggle and accept; be open and trusting to what ever new is coming your way; give up control and be at peace with that (look at the expression on the hanged man's face. It is quite serene.) And accept the will of Great Spirit, God, the Universe or Buddha.

The Hanged Man is suspended. This has parallels in mythology when Odin, Norse God was suspended from the Tree of Life for three days and nights. In that time, one is reflecting, feeling outside of time, just being and giving up moving forward. For sure, when you are hanging, you are living in the moment and waiting for the opportunity to get off the tree. Depending on the cards surrounding this card, it is about being in such a period of change that your world turns upside down and you gain a new perspective and a new direction in your life. As above, so below. Sometimes you need to turn things around to see the truth.

The concept of death is about the "death" of an old way of being and the welcoming of a new life. It may be the death of selfishness, and the arrival of a kinder gentler person. Additionally, it may be the surrendering of old character traits and "hanging around" to pick up new ones. It takes quite a bit of fortitude to hang upside down. When Odin came off the tree, he had acquired all world knowledge and understood that Thought and Memory were external to one's needs and to one's understanding of life. If you are getting the Hanged Man in your readings, life will be changing over the next year. Enjoy the scenery!

Blessings! Judith  

Questions or comments - email judy@angelsandancestors.com