Member Articles

Hanged Man

As one of the cards marking the mid-point to virtuoso reader, the Hanged Man represents a time in the student's development when a sacrifice must be made. It is a time of letting go of control, and accepting the unpredictability of a reading, and the client's response to it. The student expresses gratitude for all the gifts received from the Tarot and is willing to sacrifice their ego to open their psyches, and channel more effectively messages from the unseen world. By turning themselves on their heads, they acquire a completely different perspective on their Tarot practice.

The cards look different, they see more facets of the rich symbolism, and find themselves "card gazing". Their ego sacrifice means they no longer see themselves as the only ones to benefit from their work. They will adjust to their role as a seer, an odd ball in the eyes of most. A bringer of light. "Am I willing to sacrifice all that is important to me in my life to pursue this journey to readership?" or "Should I care that I'm not conforming to the status quo in matters related to spirit and worship?", are the types of questions that will provide grist for contemplation as the student hangs in contemplation at the Hanged Man stage.

This stage is also marked with questions related to reading reversals – what about reversals students ask? Students also experience a "stalling" in their Tarot movement – students will throw up their hands and say, "I'm never going to learn it all!" and I assure them that indeed this is a lifetime path and no they won't learn it all!