The Hanged Man
Definition:
a new perspective, invitation to surrender, a period of suspension and waiting, time of dissolving old patterns, a time to retreat from everyday life and routines
Poem:
Stillness can feel like a punishment at first
Rather run in circles
Going no where
Then be forced to sit still
That’s when the thoughts come
Incessant, relentless
Drowning you in your fears and anxieties
Water boarding you till you can hardly breathe
Torture chamber of the mind
It’s time to get free
Confront the mental monsters
See that they all come from shame
Hold them in your arms
Tell them you love them
Then gently pull them out from the roots
And throw them in the compost pile
Let death take their bodies so they can be transmuted to a higher truth
You have to turn the world upside down to see clearly
Invitation:
The Hanged Man is an invitation to surrender. You can see the figure is hanging upside down from a tree. It looks like quite an uncomfortable place to be, but you can see this glowing light around the head. I think this represents the insight that can come from a new perspective. The Hanged Man often invites us to be in a state of suspension or unknowing that is quite uncomfortable, but ultimately will lead to important insights and understandings. When you get this card, it is often an invitation to slow down and take some time to connect with yourself.
To engage with the energy of the Hanged Man….
Journal Prompt: Where in my life am I being called to surrender and let go of control? What comes up for me when I consider surrendering? How can I support myself in trusting?
Take a break: If you pull this card, it can be an invitation to take a break. You can go for a short walk, take a dance break, whatever calls to you. It is all about letting go of the impulse to force and push through obstacles.