XII - The Hanged Man

In the face of disaster

lies opportunity for renewal



Portrayed as a man hanging upside-down from one leg with his other leg crossing it, forming a “4”; the Hanged Man Arcana is associated with self-sacrifice for the sake of enlightenment, the bindings that makes one free, paradoxes and hanging between heaven and earth. In Tarot readings, this card’s appearance can be seen as an advice to take the time necessary to reflect over one’s upcoming actions.

Personas of the Hanged Man Arcana are commonly Personas excelling in survivability. Hanged Man Personas are typically mythological figures that exist between two different forces, or find themselves in transition. They are also sometimes martyr figures.

Hanged Man characters are sometimes self-sacrificial, but are more often notable for being caught between two different extremes, parties or stages in life.





The hanged man forces us, to release our own ego, which hinders or prevents our own spiritual development

You find yourself in a unmoving, seemingly impossible situation. All of your attempts, to change things by yourself fail and all efforts to proceed further, are futile. You find yourself at a dead end, without a way to go any further. With the current mindset it will no longer be possible to reach your goals. One has to let go, to look, to feel inward, so the event surrounding you and your mind can ease. Grant yourself the time for peace, to meditate, to reflect your own self.

Affirmation

I let go of my thoughts and trust my own true self to find my way again.

Positiv

When we are at the end, when we accept, that our strategies are no longer affecting anything, then it is possible, that we find within ourselves a entirely different power, which will help to guide our lifes. Our inner true self and wisdom can take effect, if we invite them consciously and show appreciation. If we refuse, so will life force us to kapitulate and to surrender. In that moment of absolute darkness, in which the human recognises and accepts his absolute defeat and no longer resists, will find new possibilities, which lead usto a new pathway of light. When we follow this new way, we will be able to free ourselves from any negative emotions and attachments, like remorse and fear. We will feel afterwards cleansed, reformed and enlightened.

Negative

The hanged man confronts us with the fact, that we have to give up our ego. We experience ouselves pinned down and trapped in a inescapeable situation. To accept this is very difficult. We hold on the final straws of perceived safity. We continue desperately the fight, reacting with panic and a dull unconsciousness. Instead to give our emotions the room to their personal consternation/shock and despair, we are closing us, kill our own emotions and distance further from ourselves. This way we fall into depressions, because we cut ourselves away from our own liveliness. Let go of your negative thoughts and open yourself for a spiritual, meaningful solution by your true self.

