The Hermit – Arcana VIIII
The Hermit is the ninth Tarot card.
This tarot card is represented by an old man wearing a cape and carrying a lantern, walking with a cane. This old person seems to walk with caution.
His clothing is quite particular: the inside of his cape is richer than the outside; which means that the Hermit gives more value to the inner wealth than to the external wealth.
The Hermit is not a negative tarot card, it is a symbol wisdom.
Basic meaning:
In the right position, the Hermit symbolizes caution, protection, but also reflection and misanthropy.
In the reversed position this tarot card represents selfishness, greed, indolence, dishonest actions.
Examples:
During a consultation, the Hermit card may emerge in a favorable position and inform our consultant about the importance of reflection, her questioning, it may also mean that this person will take time to make her decision.
When the Hermit comes in a negative position (on the left), it confirms the blocking of a situation, either by the consultant’s inaction, either by the questioning of a person associated with our consultant.
For instance, a woman who applied for a new job did not receive a reply. If the Hermit card is positioned in a negative way, it means that the employer is a misogynist and that our consultant has no chance to get the job.
The Hermit also represents isolation, imprisonment, betrayal.
Placed next to the Temperance this card symbolizes harmony.
The Wheel Of Fortune – Arcana X
This card is adorned with a wheel in motion; which represents the changes of our life. The Wheel Of Fortune arcana symbolizes our destiny.
Two figures are on the Wheel of Fortune: on the right is Hermanubis, good engineering and on the left is Typhon, the perversion symbol.
A Sphinx is sitting at the top of the wheel to counterbalance good and evil. This character is also the symbol of our destiny.
The Wheel of Fortune represents the ups and downs of our life, good and evil, joys and sorrows.
Basic meaning:
In the right position this Tarot card represents success, good intuitions, money, victories.
In the reversed position the tenth major arcana represents failure, lost opportunities, instability, loss of money, blocked situations…
Example:
Imagine that we pull five cards and place them side by side; the Wheel of Fortune is located to the right of the Death (placement to the left or right is important when reading the cards).
In this case, Death means the end of something, and has not to be taken in a negative way because the Wheel of Fortune on the right represents the positive elements.
Situation: our consultant needs to learn if she will be dismissed by her boss.
Answer: This person has everything to gain from the situation because the Death means the end of her career in this company and the Wheel of Fortune means a new career, somewhere else and ten times more interesting.
On the other hand, if we use the four cards play and if the Wheel of Fortune is in the negative position (on the right) it represents a blocked situation.
On the right side of the Ace Cup, the Wheel of Fortune means love at first sight.
On the right side of the Empress, it teaches us that woman will decide of our destiny.
A Tarot card deck is divided into two main groups- the Major and Minor Arcana. The Minor Arcana relates more to day to day life while the Major represents larger happenings. The Minor Arcana is further divides into four suits that have corresponding elements: Wands (fire), Cups (water), Swords (air) and Coins (earth).
The Tarot suit of Wands contains cards focusing on action, creativity and movement. Passion, adventure, risk, enthusiasm and confidence are also present. The flame of the fire represents energy flowing out. There is a masculine energy to Wands cards.
Cups Tarot cards dwell in the realms of emotion and spirituality. Internal states, relationships and emotions are supported by the energy that flows in. Water is changeable, sustainable and adaptable making it suit these cards well. There is a feminine energy to Cups cards.
Swords Tarot cards are represented by the clarity of Air. Thought, reason, intellect, truth and justice are found in these cards. Unhappiness, lack of clarity and disharmony can be represented in these cards if they are reversed or placed in a problematic position in a pattern.
Coins are represented by the concrete earth. Security, material objects and practicality are found in these Tarot cards. Interactions with nature and our own bodies are supported here, as are wealth and prosperity.
The structure of each suit is similar to regular playing cards. There are four court cards (Page, Knight, Queen, King) and ten cards that start with Ace and two then end with ten. The corresponding cards for all of the suits (for example the Ace of each one) has a similar purpose but differs in meaning.
The Aces of every suit states the theme that will be carried through the rest of the cards. The Ace of Cups, for example, represents emotion, intuition and love- aspects that all Cups cards share. The Ace card is always positive and is representative of the best parts of its suit.
The numbered cards beginning at two and ending at nine each have different suit aspects. These are more specific to their suit and are what make a Tarot reading have depth. In Wands, the 2 is personal power, the 3 leadership, the 4 excitement and the 5 competition. There is no inherent positive or negative energy associated with these cards. Their meaning relies heavily on placement in the pattern.
If the suits were set up as mathematical equations where the number cards were added (or subtracted) from the purpose of the Ace cards, the solution would be the Tens. The emotion, intimacy and love of the Ace of Cups transform into familial love, peace and joy in the Ten of Cups.
The “people” of the court cards represent their suit qualities and a rank. They stand for ways of existing in the world that can help or hurt us accordingly. The King is masculine maturity, focused on action and observation. Strength, assertiveness and practicality are his defining traits.
The Queen is feminine maturity, the other side to the King’s coin in that she is focused inward, relaxed, emotional, relational and satisfied with existence. The Knight is like their teenaged son. He lacks balance and swings between extremes as he tries to find his place and relation to the world. Excessive, but sincere and eager, he has an energetic spirit. The Page is in comparison a small child, acting spontaneously and easily for pleasure. Possibilities and adventure surround him
You may need help in deciphering the sword cards in a tarot deck. This article will help you understand and use these cards more effectively.
The Ace of Swords carries with it a duality of authoritative justice and its polar opposite of negative (or aggressive) power. The tarot card itself isn’t inherently positive or negative but depends on the placement in the pattern or the situation presented. It is an all consuming, double edged sword of a power. There is an inner strength here that can carry a person through a victory or send them into defeat. This card can usher in a breakthrough of mental or spiritual clarity. If motivations are positively charged, anything is possible.
The Two of Swords is represented by an image of two swords crossing over the heart of a woman. Opposing forces in a stalemate and a guarded heart are characteristic of this tarot card. What the opposing forces are can vary: positive and negative energy, strength and weakness, action and inaction, etc. It will take a great deal of effort and sometimes time for one of these sides to win out over the other. The aura of protection given by the crossed swords against danger will be broken on its own if given enough time. If they are forced apart, the sudden change will bring pain. If it shows up in a relationship tarot reading, this card shows that both people are equally to blame for a negative situation and will continue in their behavior unless someone breaks the cycle.
The weapons of the Three of Swords are piercing a heart, symbolizing emotion. This card depicts how logic and acts of the mind can harm the emotional heart. There aren’t many aspects of this card that won’t be painful. Sadness, rejection, heartbreak, grief and betrayal all live behind this card. But the lesson here is that pain is necessary. It is the force that can drive motivation and life changes more than any other. Face this card with bravery and there will be light at the end of this tunnel.
The Four of Swords provides a welcome break from the turmoil associated with the other Swords cards. In a tarot reading, this card offers a chance to take a break to rest the mind and spirit from all of life’s battles. But this rest should not be treated like a lazy retreat. This is the time to recharge and prepare you for the battles that rest around the corner.
And the Five of Swords contains those battles around the corner. This isn’t a favorite card for tarot card reading recipients to see as it typically represents defeat. You have fought the good fight but emerged without victory. You will need to take this defeat in stride and prepare to go back and fight the battle again. On the rare cases when this card means you were victorious, it can be a caution against feeling you are invincible. That can easily be proven to be false. If you obtained the victory by any means other than fair ones, they may come back to bite you.
Strength – Arcana Major XI
The strength is represented by a young woman controlling a lion.
Her head dresses a hat adorned by a crown; which means she is a woman who has the power. Her red dress is the symbol of her strength.
This tarot card is the symbol of the spirit domination over brute physical strength, this tarot card also represents humanity as it is supposed to be.
Basic meaning:
In the right position strength is a card that represents conviction, energy, heroism, mental and/or physical strength…
In the reverse position, the strength is weak pettiness, pride, arrogance…
Example:
Once the tarot cards pulled, if strength is located on the right of the Magician it can mean a striking success in someone’s workplace.
Placed on the right side of the Empress, strength may prove difficult pregnancy.
When the strength card is placed in a negative position in a question play (on the right), represents a blocked position due to the lack of conviction or confidence of the consultant.
When placed in response (at the bottom), it means that the situation will adjust thanks to the efforts of the consultant.
Strength is a very positive card.
The Hanged Man – Arcana Major XII
The Hanged Man represents passivity, the events over which we have no control. It is also a phase of mysticism.
The Hanged Man has lost his energy.The colors of the intellect, passion, action and nature are the dominant colors of this card.
The Hanged Man sees the world upside down, but perhaps The Hanging Man sees what others do not.
This Tarot card represents introspection, questioning. It is synonymous with expectation. But certainly not the end of something.
Basic Meaning:
The Hanged Man card in the right position: punishment, forced immobility, discipline, you have no control on what happens to you or on what you are expecting…
This Tarot card in the reversed position: unnecessary sacrifice, egotism, delusions, anxiety…
When we pull four cards and when The Hanged Man comes in a positive position (on the left), your waiting will be rewarded, the things are slow, it takes time to study and run a project.
If The Hanged Man is pulled in the negative position (on the right of the play), it represents the expectation, blocked situation, waiver.
When The Hanged Man is pulled in response (at the bottom) it means that the long wait is rewarded, a project has been properly studied and will succeed.
The Hanged Man on the right of the House of God means catastrophic immobility for someone (imprisonment for instance).
On the left side of Strength: remember that patience is a wise vertue and that it is always rewarded.
Can TAROT cards tell the future? In my experience, the surprising answer is that to a significant degree they can. At the very least they are perceived to . . . and for the sake of picking up women and making new friends that is quite good enough.
Humans learn by association. A child sees a fire, touches it, gets burned and he makes an association between fire and getting burned. Humans learn what a King is by understanding the role of a father, and perhaps understand what a Goddess is by knowing what Mothers do.
TAROT cards are a deck of associations. The MAGICIAN is the guy that dazzles us with clever tricks, or ourselves when we are at the top of our game. DEATH is the horror that drags us to funerals and that which puts an end to things like marriages and business partnerships.
Associations can be made between cards and the unique features of a person’s life. The STAR card can represent their new hope or inspiration. The DEVIL card can represent the earthly temptations that draw them away from their obligations.
TAROT cards work because the reader, you, and the interrogator, the person you are reading for, work together to make them work.
You both interpret the cards, mapping each card to the elements of their everyday life. The randomness of the cards insures you always find the new insights and the new associations you are looking for.
Furthermore, the way TAROT cards fall is not all that random. The more the interrogator handles the card, the more his unconscious mind orders them. If you read cards three times for the same person over the course of an evening you will find they tend to get the same or very similar cards. Even if you read for others between each of those readings. This is because it is the subconscious that shuffles, cuts and selects the cards. The subconscious mind handles most physical operations. That’s why you can talk while you drive.
You will be surprised at just how much TAROT cards reveal of human hearts, human minds, human tragedies and human dreams. Reading TAROT is a great way to learn more about the subconcious and how people weave their fates.
Wands is the suit in the Minor Arcane of a Tarot deck that corresponds to the element of fire. The reoccurring themes in the cards of this suit are passion, creativity, action and movement. Rejuvenation and the passing of tests come with the fire in the element. The base cards (those numbered from Ace to ten) clarify situations and offer advice on what actions to take.
The Ace of every Tarot suit is representative of the main ideas that permeate all of the cards within that grouping. The Ace of Wands has a great deal of energy behind it and usually signifies a new beginning. The surrounding cards in the reading will have to help determine what kind of change you should be looking for. The vitality of this card has healing properties and brings enthusiasm and stamina to any undertaking. The downside to all of this “get up and go” spirit is that it can be reckless and stubborn.
The Two of Wands relates to personal choice, free will and the consequences of these things. This Tarot card puts you as the master of your own destiny, with things occurring as planned. There is inner and outer harmony at work here. Any confusion or uncertainty should be cleared away in favor of order and planning.
Self truth is behind the Three of Wands. Its appearance in a Tarot reading shows that there is an internal balance in regards to aspirations, needs, talents and virtues. Doubt, fear and old habits should be abolished to allow the personal power of this card to take hold.
The Four of Wands is represented by a completed circle. There is balance and fulfillment of aspects of life (such as dreams or ideas) that had been up in the air. Wrongs will be set right with this card. Resolution is also a key step in starting anew and the Four can symbolize the chance to start fresh.
Negative energy infuses the Five of Wands. Conflict, disharmony and bitterness come with this card in a Tarot reading. The severity of the strife has to be determined by accompanying cards and can be minor or life altering. Immorality and inner conflict can bring up the Five. Peace won’t be found until whatever it is that summoned this card is dealt with.
All of that conflict leads straight in to the Six of Wands, which still holds on to some of that fight but allows for a victory. Think of the Six as passing through the fire and coming out stronger for it on the other side. Pride often accompanies the well earned victory. But understand that this card doesn’t come without struggle preceding it.
The Seven of Wands put down in a Tarot reading still presents challenges, but equips the fighter with enough courage, ambition and desire to make it through the heartiest obstacle. It is a time to ignore caution and plow straight to the other side. The battle might be ethical (Wands are big on ethics) or situational. Fear is acceptable but must be ignored and overcome.
The Eight of Wands clears the sky of clouds and allows for clarity in communication. The obstacles of the preceding cards have been cleared off the battlefield. Any confusion or misunderstandings that gathered by the road can be dealt with now with ease. A fresh sense of openness makes success at new paths likely. Old wounds can be healed and wrongs can be righted but be careful that the power of this energy doesn’t become too much to handle.
The Nine of Wands gathers strength from a fearless and accepting heart and the depths of subconscious wisdom that is now ready to be tapped. Self confidence- and trust- accompany this card in a Tarot reading. It symbolizes vast inner strength that can carry you through the darkest times without a doubt.
There is a blockage associated with the Lord of Oppression. Something that is desperately wanted or needed is being withheld. Long term effects of this deprivation can include frustration and a feeling of confinement. There can be a loss of faith. If this card continually comes up, it may be a sign that whatever is being denied isn’t meant to be had. Short term appearances of the card often only mean that now is a time for patience.
Originally, the Tarot Cards came from Alchemical Sufi sources and the Sufi Alchemical Meditations based on the correct working of the energies of the Universe were encoded as symbols into every one of the Thoth Tarot cards.
Here is an explanation from the book of “The Princess of Swords” of the Thoth Tarot with the addition of how it refers to explanations of the advanced techniques of meditation…
“The inflow of spiritual energy or kundalini energy is well known in all spiritual circles as being expected in all genuine courses with teachers who have advanced experience with enlightened masters yet some people just cannot get their heads around it and they do not trust it as this concept destroys their idea of a “normal” world. They start to fear the unknown!!
The wind of kundalini blowing through you usually leaves smoke and ashes in its wake. Normally, when kundalini energy starts to flow through the interiorly held negativities it starts to destroy and release the pain and trauma within. Fear can be the result. The techniques of the advanced techniques of meditation show you how to totally clear yourself from moods and disturbing thoughts because it works at the level of energy which underlies all the problems.
Transmutation is symbolised by the Yin Yang in the card. These Practical, Ancient and Successful Meditations based on the Tarot teach how to remove the traumatic nature of all this energy release by using the new alchemical concept of “transmutation” – there remains non of the problems associated with negative emotions like anger or depression.. They do not work at the level of memory. You do not have to remember anything as they work at the level of energy which underlies all of the painful memories, yet the performance of the advanced techniques of meditation can easily and totally remove all the energy blockages, in a non-painful way!!
The Princess of Swords student of the advanced techniques of meditation knows how necessary is the transmutation of all the old energies on the path of evolution, progress and inner freedom. The student’s “no” to all the past negative energy held inside springs from an unequivocal “yes” to themselves and to their life!
Princess of Swords necessity for positive and easy change is comparable to the drastic move by Jesus Christ when he drove the moneylenders out of the temple, and to the work of Hercules when he drove the river Styx through the Augean stables, thus easily cleaning out thousands of years of pain or horse shit in one day!
The Wand of the Princess of Discs stretches from heaven to earth and symbolizes the Antakarana, an ancient symbol of Kundalini yoga, which represents the tower, rainbow bridge of energy which flows through all your chakras from heaven to earth, when all energy blockages preventing that flow have been transmuted through the techniques of the advanced techniques of meditation.
The Princess of Swords says, by learning how to bring the spiritual energies of the center of the universe, the highest and purest form of light, into this earth which is the darkest and most negative of all elements, it becomes possible to raise the energy level of the advanced techniques of meditation student and the earth itself.
This advance into new territory has the ability to unify to integrate the mother, the father and all the internal children into one energetic, soul infused and peaceful being.
“there can only be one!!”
The Princess of Swords bringing together spirit and matter, the removal of energy blockages has created something new which can channel the light onto the earth and cosmic idea-impulses, thoughtforms, become visible to everyone and permeate everything with their divine quality. The true healing of you, and the earth itself!!”
The explanation of the Princess of Swords above comes from the Thoth Tarot which encodes Alchemical information in every one of its Tarot Cards!!
Alchemical techniques of meditation symbolized in the Tarot Cards of the Thoth pack show how to easily transmute all negative energy without going anywhere near the emotions and memory!! The buddhafield of energy, in which evolutionary progress can quickly be made, and kundalini energy are absolutely necessary to any course of meditation.
The Princess of Swords symbolizes the way of the energies of the Universe and shows ancient and hidden techniques preserved in Taoism and Hindu Kundalini Kriyas. It is the most gentle and effective tool for all those who want to increase their energy, their evolution, their genius.
Also Ancient Egyptian spiritual technology – The Alchemical Meditations of Hermes Trismegistus from the Emerald tablet, and of Alchemical VITRIOL, a Latin word meaning “Acid” which dissolves all negative emotions and “Anger” symbolising the removal of all trauma and negative emotion through, “Drain the Last Dregs of your Vitriol!.”
The same energy circulation meditation… from the Alchemical Sufi Dun Nun, “the Egyptian”, he who took, “The Path of Blame” symbolized by the Sufi Naqsbandi Fountain at the Alhambra at Granada in Spain.
The same meditations… The Five Elemental Paths of the Qi of Chinese Alchemical Taoism and the Microcosmic and Macrocosmic Orbits symbolized in the Yin Yang Symbol.
The same meditation,… “The point from which a Man cannot err.” .. From the Freemasonic ritual creating the Master Mason and the “Entry into the Crypt” The center of the earth, of the Royal Arch. Arch or rainbow bridge symbolises the creation of the Antahkarana.
It is not enough to worship these words, the higher energies are only satisfied when we create these functions within ourselves. Only then do we become a “Made Man”.
The same energy circulation meditation… “With This Technique, Your Evolution Will Increase With Every Energy Revolution To Create A Revolution In Your Evolution.” – Paramahamsa Yogananda On The Kriyas Of Kundalini of India, of Kriya Yoga, of Babaji, the 2000 years old sage in the Himalayas, of Sri Yukteswar and Lahira Mahasaya.
These Practical, Ancient and Successful Meditations for the removal of all negative emotions like Anger, Fear, and Depression teach Gaining More Energy – Meditation, Shaktipat, Energy Circulation, The Kundalini Kriyas, The Five Elemental Paths Of The Chi Of Chinese Alchemical Taoism, The Grounding Of Negative Energies, V.I.T.R.I.O.L and The Art Card Of The Thoth Tarot, Access To Kundalini Energy, Strong Psychic Protection, The Merkaba, Pyramid Protection, Power Tower Protection, the Creation of The Antahkarana, Soul Fusion, Monadic Infusion, Logos Infusion for the Painless Removal Of Stress, Trauma And Negative Emotion.
Ever since we were able to look up at the sky we have wondered about our purpose in life, what the future holds for us, what our life will be like, what happens after death and how to tell if someone is telling us the truth about something? The fact is that we are filled with several questions which can’t be answered easily, but regardless how hard these questions might be to answer, we constantly look for knowledge which is out of our reach, it is just our nature to want to improve our lives and be inquisitive about things we don’t know.
Tarot cards have been around for while, some say their origins can be traced back all the way to the fourteenth century when these cards were introduced to Egypt by the Mamelukes who were slave soldiers who converted to Islam. The set of cards introduced originally has evolved into a full set of 78 cards which are divided in several parts, these are called the major and the minor Arcanas.
The major Arcana is comprised of 22 cards, the major arcana cards are also referred to as “trump cards or major trumps”, the remaining 56 cards form the minor arcana. The minor arcana is sub-divided into four suits which represent air, water, fire and earth elements.
The following associations are given to the lower arcana:
- The Tarot suit which has wands, staves, batons or rods is associated with the element of fire.
- The Suit which has pentacles or coins is associated to the earth element.
- Chalices or cups are associated to water.
- Swords or spades are associated to air.
In Europe the cards were used to play the Tarot game, in other countries where the game was unknown this set of cards was used for divination purposes, this set of cards has grown to be the most popular tool used to tell someone’s fortune, predict the future and know answers which need and answer but have no earthly solution. This set of cards is also known as the “book of divination of the Gypsies” who were travelers who mastered the use of this set of cards to tell someone’s fortune and much more.
A Tarot card reader is able to tell someone’s fortune or answer any question by interpreting the order of the cards and their meaning as they are shown during a reading. Some people say that the cards are guided by a spiritual force such as Gaia and others believe that they are able to tap into a collective unconscious, regardless of the forces which act on these readings, Tarot readings are very popular and have been recognized for being quite accurate in several occasions.
Tarot cards date back to 1390 in France and a tarot deck has 78 cards. There are 22 cards in the major arcana and 56 cards in the minor arcana. The minor arcana consists of four suits which are the pentacles, wands, cups and swords. There are various spreads and many ways of reading the cards. Each tarot reader is slightly different. Some use their psychic abilities when doing a reading and others merely look at the cards and let the thoughts and imagery flow. The cards can usually convey their messages well.
Many readers do not use a signifier but others prefer to. It is a matter of personal choice and you might prefer to try reading both with and without, to see which method suits you the best.
A tarot Card signifier, also known as a significator, is one card chosen from the pack to represent the querent (person you are reading for). A signifier is almost always a court card (king, queen, knight or page) and represents the temperament, age and coloring of the person the reading is for.
Kings and queens are usually people over 36 who are, or have been, married. Knights are younger and Pages can represent children of either gender.
Another way of choosing a signifier is to match only the physical characteristics of the querent so, for example, the King of Pentacles could represent an older, dark-haired male. You could match the personality too. The Queen of Swords perhaps could represent an older female who is stubborn and has strong beliefs. Different readers use differing systems. Some use only physical characteristics, some only age and hair color and some have their own systems altogether. The tarot is a very personal thing so whatever card a tarot reader chooses to be your signifier, that is their choice and will produce the best reading from them. There is a lot of intuition involved in selecting signifiers. Sometimes one just feels right even if it has the wrong color of hair or is in the wrong age bracket. You should always go with hunches when it comes to reading the cards.
The good thing about using a signifier is that it guarantees the reading will be only about the person asking for it, as you focus on the signifier whilst performing the tarot reading. However, it does take one card from the tarot pack, which might otherwise have been in a key position with a message. For example, if in a reading you get the Page of Wands in a spread, that card can mean that there is a creative restlessness within the querent and it is time to begin a project. If you are using the Page of Wands as a signifier, that card will not be able to appear in the spread. Other cards can convey similar messages but that is one thing to bear in mind (unless you use a second tarot deck for the signifier cards).
There are reasons for and against the use of a signifier and it does very much depend on the reader and what he or she is comfortable with. Being comfortable and happy with the manner of the reading usually ensures the best results.
The Hanged Man features one of the most fascinating and poetic images of the whole tarot card deck: a man hanging upside down from a tao cross (sometimes a tree or bar) by one foot, his hands bound or tucked behind his back. He is suspended in mid air, his free leg forming the number 4 with his other leg.
Unexpectedly, he is not struggling to escape and instead has a look of complete satisfaction on his face. What is the story behind this strangely calm hanged man?
1) The Number Four
Four is the number that rules a person ego, implying that the hanged man is suddenly surrendering his own consciousness and will for a much higher one.
2) The Story
The story is inspired by the Norse god Odin, who hung from the world tree for nine days straight after a spear wounded him. As a result, he was forced into a temporary state of enlightenment. Odin had give up control to gain insight.
Often, change is falling from the hanged man, resembling his loss of worldly possessions and thus worldly desires. Remember how his hands are not free? This shows that he is unable to take action or grab at things he may want. Also, he is not holding onto anything!
As the man hangs between the ground and the cross, he has a moment of absolute clarity, consisting of new insights that render him carefree. His materialistic self is transformed into a spirit that is unconcerned with practical, day-to-day worries.
But the hanged man would not always be in this suspended position; he will eventually return to the earth and become a part of society again. However, even after his epiphany has worn off a bit, he will hopefully be changed forever.
3) Are you hanging upside down?
How might the Hanged Man be a metaphor for your life? Are you going through a big change that is requiring you to sacrifice relationships, money, possessions, financial or emotional security, or even your ideas about how the universe works?
If so, then you have a stunning opportunity to take a glimpse into what a life without earthly wants and needs, unattached and free from all prejudice and judgment, is like. While this state of consciousness is only momentary, it can influence the rest of your life and give you a new, powerful freedom and bravery to pursue hopes and dreams you never even considered before.
The hanged man has to sacrifice previous notions about the way things work, all his belongings, and even health and physical comfort in order to become enlightened. The Hanged Man tarot card is not about life or death or making choices or even predictions about the future. It is simply about viewing all existence with the kind of innocence and openness that only babies have. Hence, the Hanged Man is a symbol for rebirth and transformation.
Those who relate to the hanged man the most have typically suffered a big loss. Divorce, death, a job change, growing old, getting sick – all of these can trigger someone to rethink everything. If we can be like the Hanged Man, at peace with what we have and not sorrowful or angry about what we don’t have, then no matter what life throws at us, we will always evolve and become better, happier people in the end.
4) Your Next Step
While we are hanging upside down, we are paused in life, but the stage is now set for us to adapt to new changes and progress. Imagine yourself standing at a crossroads, not ready to pick a path.
First, take a step back and observe what is going on in your life without the intention of making any conclusions or decisions regarding your future. The Hanged Man encourages non-action. Sometimes, it is NOT necessary to do something, and in fact it is foolish and often destructive to act just for the sake of acting.
Patience is the most important virtue for you to practice right now! There are periods in your life where all you can and should do is wait. This may mean a lot to you if you are waiting on your significant other or love interest to make a move or if you are waiting to find out if you got that new job. Just as the hanged man, life might be out of your control right now. The key is to accept this fact and not fight it; fighting will be futile after all.
5) The Reversed Hanged Man
There are two sides to every coin! The conventional Hanged Man encourages tarot card readers to relax, while the reversed Hanged Man encourages action. The man who says he will start up his business tomorrow, not today; the woman who says she will pursue an education tomorrow, not today; the nicotine addict who says he will quit smoking tomorrow, not today… these are all people who might be in need of a good change and should stop waisting their time reflecting on the mysteries of life!
