Help! Hanged Man Year into Death Year -- anyone out there???????

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 19 Dec 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

other	19 Dec 2004
For those of you into the Tarot year cycles as defined by the Major Arcana... I am coming out of my Hanged Man Year, which has been one of the most difficult and painful years of my life, but necessary. I was -- metaphorically speaking -- strung up and forced to look very hard at myself, my habits, shortcomings and destructive patterns, all in the interest of making a big and positive change in my life. Good medicine, I guess... Now that I approach 2005 -- my "Death" year -- I am very hopeful, but scared! I've been told that, in a positve way, this means the death of old habits and the birth of a new me. HERE'S MY QUESTION: When does the rebirth happen?? Now or later? Do I have another tough, agonizing year of self-exploration ahead of me? Or can I hope to experience the fruits of last year's long labor????????? Please SHARE YOUR EXPERIENCES with me!

Seed Crystal	19 Dec 2004
I think transformation almost never occurs in one moment; if you think about birth, what moment is it? When the entire body emerges? When the cord is cut? It's a long and complicated process, of many significant moments, and prenatal growth and post natal adjustments are as important, aren't they? Beyond the moment - I think transformation rarely is directly linear; we recapituate themes and issues; we bring our pasts into our present and futures, and even the past is transformed as we make choices and realizations. You might decide at some point "ah! THIS is the moment of my transformation!" But all that led up to it was, too, and you are probably not finished when you think you are. Neither the "preparation" nor the "event" are un-necessary. And later you might say "Ah, now THIS is REALLY it!" lol Yes it is, and no it's not, always. So you can enjoy now the fruits of the last year, without denying your continuing transformations... And you can incorporate more and more into each transformation, as your consciousness allows. You asked for experiences, not philosophy; sorry, but this is what I had to share; if I described any particular transformative sequence, I think it would negate my point.

other	19 Dec 2004
Thanks for the reply! No worries on the experiences v. philosophy thing! It's good to hear different interpretations, especially concerning openness and willingness to continue the daily transformation of any given person.

Fudugazi	19 Dec 2004
Hi, I am in the same situation as you. It's kind of scary, but I know many things in my life must die - and I am exhausted, I want them to. The shake-up will be...interesting. Haven't figured out all the implications yet, and likely I won't until much later. 2006 is Temperance, blessed relief before a Devil year ;)

other	19 Dec 2004
Hi, Helvetica! What was your Hanged Man year like?

Fudugazi	19 Dec 2004
Upside down ;) Crappy year for romance, I shouldn't have bothered. I started to see what I wanted to do, having left the field (where I'd worked for over 5 years as an aid worker), but mostly it felt like stasis. I only just found out last week I was in Hanged Man year, and going into a Death year, but it explained a few things. My creativity, while very rich inside my head, had trouble actually coming out. Since the second half of the year I felt that things have been accumulating slowly, ready for release. I have made some interesting discoveries (TdM, writing in tandem) which need space, time and work to develop, hence the need to clear the decks (other reasons too - see below). I am completely exhausted now and the vacations won't come a day too soon. Death will mean a big clean-up! I have some things to exorcise from my 5 years in war zones and visiting political and war prisoners, and some personal stuff too, mostly relating to love. I'm ready, I think. I also need to break down my morbid fear of sending material off to be published, and approaching other people for joint projects.

other	19 Dec 2004
Helvetica, I had nearly the same kind of year! Crappy for romance, but of course, I am only now realizing how my patterns have contributed to that. And the latter half of the year definitely exceeded the former in terms of creativity and solid groundwork. In fact, late September/early October served as the one and only highlight -- a professional boost that hasn't turned into money just yet, but has certainly opened up some doors. I, too, have to let go of some stuff and I think the "Death Year" allows for that, encourages that, makes sense for that -- the death of old ways. But, man, I cannot take another year of what I just had... Really, really tough... I'm going to try to move willingly and openly in the coming year.

HudsonGray	19 Dec 2004
To quote from The Lion King, "Change is good," but sometimes it's not all that easy. Be aware that things do start to shift and your life is going to be taking some new directions. Some of it will be easy, a go with the flow sort of thing. Others you may have to think about.

Fudugazi	20 Dec 2004
HudsonGray wrote: To quote from The Lion King, "Change is good," but sometimes it's not all that easy. Be aware that things do start to shift and your life is going to be taking some new directions. Some of it will be easy, a go with the flow sort of thing. Others you may have to think about. It's always difficult to think things must die, that we must kill and destroy them before the new can take its place. Fortunately, if there are several things dying and others taking their place, it doesn't always happen at once, so while some things are dying (whether or not you are consciously destroying them) others are being born. I think we have great trouble with the notion of destruction, of putrefaction. That's why the Death card frightens so much and that's why some call it "change". But it can only be change if we allow the death of some things - or sometimes if we consciously destroy them (such as a person deliberately walking away from a bad marriage). I forgot to say one thing about the Hanged Man year - HM is also about sacrifice. I asked myself if I had sacrificed anything this year. I saw I had. I took a job in Geneva, abandoning the notion of going back to the field (which always existed as a possibility), although I have loved my years in the field. I sacrificed a roving, exciting and rewarding existence for a more settled one: I don't yet know if the sacrifice will pay off. At the moment it's pretty uncomfortable, but I have to give it a chance. There's a reason why I took that decision, after all.

WolfyJames	20 Dec 2004
I was in my Hanged Man year last year and this year was my Death year. I will be soon in my Temperance year. How were both these years? My Hanged Man year officialy sucked. Actually, it was way worse. I felt stucked in the mud, incapable of moving, having to go through a storm the whole year, destroying everything ahead, all my plans gone... I don't want to go back there ever again. Luckily for me, I'm stubborn, and I hold to what I cared the most the whole year (I had to make sacrifices), even in the mud through the storm, so once it was over, my plans were accomplished. One of them was to save money to get a really neat computer, and I got it around Christmas last year, at the end of my Hanged Man year. My Death year was very fun. I ended up getting some of the stuff I sacrificed in my Hanged Man year, and then some more. :D I was very tempted this year to just leave and travel or to move someplace else. These didn't happen because I don't have the money for that. Another thing is that I've been doing lots of cleaning in my appartment. I've been very tempted to kick all my stuff to the garbage. I decided to do it finally, so for the last weeks or so, I've been cleaning my place little by little and I have put so much stuff in the garbage and recycling, junk from ten years ago or so (I'm a keeper). I feel refreshed for all that useless junk to be gone and to finally have place for the new usefull stuff. I'm at the end of my Death year, I guess I'm having some pression to do this before it's officialy gone. I'm looking forward my Temperance year. I guess I will have to find a balance within and without.

Clau	20 Dec 2004
I just realized this is my hanged man year too!!! Thanks for the thread, now I know what to expect and how to manage it! love Clau

other	20 Dec 2004
Helvetica wrote: It's always difficult to think things must die, that we must kill and destroy them before the new can take its place. Fortunately, if there are several things dying and others taking their place, it doesn't always happen at once, so while some things are dying (whether or not you are consciously destroying them) others are being born. HELVETICA: This is very true -- that ending, destroying, and just saying "goodbye" to people/things/behaviors somehow goes against our nature as humans. I suppose that's one of our more enduring traits as humans -- our commitment to life and creation. This is also an interesting point because I am so READY to kill old habits, say goodbye to old ways, etc. I thank you for your insight because it's made me realize that (and I think you said this in another posting in this thread) that the birth of something new can be happening at the same time that something is dying (the law of life, right?). That is, we don't always notice when we're growing because we're so focused on the pain that often accompanies it. WOLFYJAMES: Glad to hear your death year was fun. I do have high hopes... Great outlooks -- this will help me stay positive and hopeful!!!!!!! (Things are what we think they are, right?)

lunalafey	20 Dec 2004
When does it happen? it's something that evolves over time, through the year. I am also going from Hanged Man to Death year. Hanged Man is almost over- on my birthday this month. What I have noticed is that 3 cards effect me each year. Even though I'm exiting the Hanged Man, there is residue left behind. I have been dealing with Death this year in small ways. It's like the phases of the Moon, one wanes, one Full, one waxes. There is much that I have been waiting for for the past years and I'm going to see if the waiting is over and a rebirth will occure. As I'm sure other's feel- I need a change! There is alot that I have seen from another perspective. For the lesson I have learned from the hanged man- comes a little late- but what else, being all hung up and all; don't focus on the hold backs, now is a time to take a good look around and see what can be done to turn things around. Sort of sets things up for the Death year and the changes that come with that. I don't think that the year card effects us directly. I think it sets the stage and what we do with it is what makes it a Magician or Wheel of Fortune year.

ncefafn	20 Dec 2004
I'm in the same position, and I WELCOME the Death year. After twelve months of hanging upside down, hands bound, legs bound, helpless, powerless, I welcome death. After long suffering, death is a friend. "Compensation" by Paul Laurence Dunbar Because I had loved so deeply, Because I had loved so long, God in His great compassion Gave me the gift of song. Because I have loved so vainly, And sung with such faltering breath, The Master, in infinite mercy, Offers the boon of Death.

RedMaple	21 Dec 2004
My Hanged Man year was also very difficult, but also brought some clarity. It was definitely a time of sacrifice -- I took care of my mother in her last illness. She passed over during this year. Although it took a lot of sacrifice, I felt it as one of the best things I've done in my life. I have rarely been as sure of anything as I was that I was doing the right thing at the right time in taking care of her. I also had to deal with domestic violence directed at me from one of my brothers, and the loss of a good part of my family (my brothers) who did the, I have since learned, not unusual thing of villainizing the woman, blaming the victim. So there was a lot of grieving. But I also gained a real clear look at the dysfunctions in my family of origin, and was able to make hard decisions about breaking away from that. I stopped coloring my hair, cut it very short (for the first time in my life) and let all the white grow out. It felt very freeing and cathartic, and I also felt that all those experiences I was carrying in my hair were let go. I highly recommend it. LOL I also wrote about 60 poems, which form the core of a book I did about my mother, which I hope will find a publisher soon. I'm unclear as to whether the next year was a Death or Emperor year -- depends on which method you follow. In any case, a lot of debris was cleared away. And then came the wonderful birth of my first grandchild -- a total transformation of my life. I also moved to a new house. The entire process was definitely one of spiral through endings, beginnings, transformations, sometimes very difficult, sometimes very beautiful.

Kiama	21 Dec 2004
This too was my Hanged Man year, and it has undoubtedly been the most difficult and challenging year yet... Every obstacle possible was in my way; everything that could be delayed was delayed; every shake-up of the balance possible occurred... But this was also such a rewarding year, especially spiritually. I think I grew more this year than in previous years too. I'm looking forward to my Death Year. (Anything to get out of the Hanged Man year! I mean, it's been fun, and challenging, but somebody like me needs things moving along...) I know I'm going through huge changes next year (I finish my degree at Uni for a start, and possibly go on to do an MPhil.) I'm looking forward to cutting out the rubbish and getting down to the nitty gritty. Kiama

SunChariot	21 Dec 2004
Well, last year was my Death year. It turned out to mean that I was forced to let go of a relationship, for the second time, with a man I love very very very much. No, it was not easy. But having my cards around made it so much easier. They were able to show me why it needed to happen at this point in out lives, why it was best for all concerned and even to show me that it was only temporary. They have told me that yes we were destined to be together, just not yet. They have also been telling me repeatedly that he would come back into my life when the timing was right and we would work it out at a later date. Actually, they said he would come back in my life next year (June 2005-June 2006, as I was born in June) I know that timing questions can be iffy but it does seem signicant that next year is a Lovers year for me, the last in my life. And that means that its lesson is particularly important to me, and this is the man I have loved most in my entire life, so maybe, hopefully...:-) Well that was my experience. Wish me luck everyone, I really really miss him. Bar

other	21 Dec 2004
RedMaple wrote: So there was a lot of grieving. But I also gained a real clear look at the dysfunctions in my family of origin, and was able to make hard decisions about breaking away from that. This is very interesting. I am in the exact same place! I have been confronting some very difficult (at times, horrifying) realities within my own family. You must understand -- I come from a family that everyone sees as 'perfect' on the outside. Since my teens, people would CONSTANTLY tell me how much they loved my parents if and when they met them. It took years and years for me to give them a hard look and see them for who and what they are. Dysfunctional, like many. (That's part of growing up.) But I have also had to confront a darker secret involving my own father and it is ripping me apart. I wake in the middle of the night panicked and sobbing and wanting to crawl into a cave somewhere and disappear. On the up side, I can now better understand my own problems in relationships. So I look forward the Death year as a period of acceptance, clarity, forgiveness and the Death of my old, self-destructive ways -- time to let go of some of this agony!!! Be gone!!!

SunChariot	21 Dec 2004
other wrote: On the up side, I can now better understand my own problems in relationships. So I look forward the Death year as a period of acceptance, clarity, forgiveness and the Death of my old, self-destructive ways -- time to let go of some of this agony!!! Be gone!!! Good for you for seeing it this way. People tend to afraid of change and seem to always imagine that it will be something they don't want to end that is ending. It could just as easily be the end of something negative in your life and the beginning of a new positive period of growth. I am sure you are now on the path to that postive growth since you started Tarot. They are the best help I have found for that area of my life.:-) Bar

SunChariot	21 Dec 2004
lunalafey wrote: When does it happen? it's something that evolves over time, through the year. I am also going from Hanged Man to Death year. Hanged Man is almost over- on my birthday this month. What I have noticed is that 3 cards effect me each year. Even though I'm exiting the Hanged Man, there is residue left behind. I have been dealing with Death this year in small ways. It's like the phases of the Moon, one wanes, one Full, one waxes. I never thought of that, but it could be true. I lost him last year. Then this year is an Alchemy year for me (in the Haindl deck), meaning I am transforming myself into something better, lead into gold, caterpillar into butterfly...which has been very true. But I am still affected by losing my ex, and in fact it has been the source of my desire to change many things in my life. Then next year, is when the is my Lover's year, so my Love issues should get resolved. And knowing that it is the Lover's year for me I am influenced by that and the desire to do what I can to make it work out as I hope. Maybe the influence (residue ) of each Tarot year does hang around another year or so. Now that you put the idea in my head, I can see that seems to be the case for me.:-) Bar

Fudugazi	21 Dec 2004
SunChariot wrote: Well, last year was my Death year. It turned out to mean that I was forced to let go of a relationship, for the second time, with a man I love very very very much. Actually, they said he would come back in my life next year (June 2005-June 2006, as I was born in June) I know that timing questions can be iffy but it does seem signicant that next year is a Lovers year for me How can it be your Lovers year in 2005 or 6? Surely it will be your Temperance year in 2005 and then your Devil year (close to Lovers, but a different challenge)? You appear to be mixing systems - can you explain your way of calculating?

SunChariot	21 Dec 2004
just adding up my day of birth, the month of birth and the year, I use Mary Greer's system. In my case ---6 + --29 + 2003 ____ =2038=2+0+3+8 =13. that was last year my Death year. This year is: ---6 --29 2004 _____ =2039=2+0+3+9= 14 =Temperance (which was Alchemy in my Haindl deck) Next year = ---6 + --29 + 2005 ____ 2040=2+0+4+0=6 = The Lovers The numbers go in order for a while (about 10 in a row) then they make a jump like that. One day I actually got ambitious and did my whole life more or less from birth till age about 100 or so. Okay so I am an optimist. LOL There is a distinct order to the cards that come up, but they do not always come one after another This is what I found about the order of the years coming up: My years as the came up were: 2,3,4,5, 6,7,8, 9, 10, 11 then 3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12 then 4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13 then 5,6,7,8,9,10,11 12,13,14 ... Each jumps seems to start one higher and ends one higher. In that way when one number disappears from the sequence, like the cards # 2 and 3 did for me in the first two sequences, when it is gone from your life forever it means that that card is very important to you in that year, that you learn all that you need to know from it for your life in that year...Next year is not only the Lovers for me, but the last time it appears in my life. :-) Do you use a different system? Mine works great for me. I can see all my past years were accurate. AND I did a few for friends and theirs were accurate too. Happy Holidays! Bar

SunChariot	22 Dec 2004
PS Thanks Helvetica for the poem at the end of your question. I love it, I think there is something there I needed to learn and it is very much related to a reading I am doing. I saved it to add to my reading. Thanks again! :-) Bar

RedMaple	22 Dec 2004
other wrote: You must understand -- I come from a family that everyone sees as 'perfect' on the outside. Since my teens, people would CONSTANTLY tell me how much they loved my parents if and when they met them. Yes, this was true for me, as well. I think that kind of facade is fairly common. The new perspective that the Hanged Man gives can be devastating, but so valuable. I found the Death year to be a year of grieving, but also of clearing the deadwood away, and the beginnings of a very new life for me. The new grandchild was a big part of that, but also concentrating my energies on creating a family of friends and surrounding myself with people I love and who love me.

The Help! Hanged Man Year into Death Year -- anyone out there??????? thread was originally posted on 19 Dec 2004 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.