My First Post - The Hanged Man

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 29 Oct 2003, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Star Spirit	29 Oct 2003
Well, I've decided to break the cycle and make my first post. I've been hanging around here for quite a while and haven't done it yet due to my shyness. I was reading another topic about this and was going to post in there, but decided since it was old and this is my first post, I'd get a lot more replies if I started a new thread. I've been getting more and more into the tarot recently, rekindling my desire to read. In studying each card separately, I came across the Hanged Man and had a hard time fully interpreting it. In coming here I have found some very valuable insight. But something sort of struck me about this card that I haven't found mention of anywhere else. The Hanged Man is said to be about suspension, not life or death. But in a way, to me, it seems as though he is suspended between life and death, between heaven and earth, physical and metaphysical. This card is said to signify a need for quiet, meditation, to take time out to see things in a new light or to let nature take its course. In a way, that seems to relate a lot to being caught between life and death. That moment when you are in danger and your life flashes before your eyes, and there is nothing you can do but watch and listen; and if you're lucky, see things in a different light. Like not knowing what you have until you're about to lose it, not taking the time to come to the realization. Making a choice to see things differently, deal with things differently, is what needs to happen in order to save it or set things right. Making that choice could be the difference between living and dying, so to speak, even though it is not a physical death. And often, to sacrifice is the only way to get back to the ground. At least, that's what sort of clinched the meaning for me. Any thoughts on that? P.S. My deck right now is the Hudes Tarot, and on the Hanged Man card, he hangs upside down from a tree branch, and on the tree trunk by his side are faces of people, 5 to be exact, both men and women. They remind me of ghosts in a way. Any idea what this might signify? ~ Amy

firemaiden	29 Oct 2003
Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star Making that choice could be the difference between living and dying, so to speak, even though it is not a physical death. And often, to sacrifice is the only way to get back to the ground. You have put it all very beautifully, explaining the link between suspension and sacrifice. Very very cool. (Welcome to Aeclectic by the way, I am honored to answer your first post! When you feel like it, come on over to the new Members Forum and introduce yourself, we'll show you where to hang your hat)

jmd	29 Oct 2003
Wonderful that you have joined the posting community, Dead Star. The Hudes is another of those decks I do not as yet own, and had to find an image online for a good look. The wicce.com site just happens to have, as one of its three cards from the deck, the Hanged Man. Quite useful. The first thing which struck me about the way the image of the hanged man is drawn is its visual similarity to the third Rune: Thoras (or Thurisaz). Having made a set of Runes back in the 1980s, it was such a strong sense that here was a double possible representation of a representative of Odin: as hanging upside down upon Yggdrassil - the World Tree; and by his body in the shape of a Rune, itself at times symbol of cathartic change or initiation. With regards to the five faces 'within' the Tree, it's as if the ancestors of the hanging man were here as witness to the situation, to his sacrifice and transformation. Ghosts, but ones deeply connected at a spiritual level. For those who have the accompanying book, it would be interesting to read what it says of the faces.

Inana	29 Oct 2003
The images of the faces in this deck (im looking at the image at wicce - thanks for the link JMD) makes me think about the others expectations on the Hanged. They are waiting until he is finished and starts acting. But also seems like if those faces can provide different understandings or counsel him in an inner level, like different facets of the same person. I mean in the exterior we see him quiet in the branch but inside him there's a lot of thinking and pressure. Its an interesting image. Dead Star, welcome to Aeclectic!! Your thoughts on this card are really interesting.

Major Tom	29 Oct 2003
Welcome to the community. :) If your first post is any indication, you have a lot to offer us. ;) Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star That moment when you are in danger and your life flashes before your eyes, and there is nothing you can do but watch and listen; and if you're lucky, see things in a different light. The element of sacrifice is often glossed over when we consider the Hanged Man. Quote: Originally posted by Dead Star Making a choice to see things differently, deal with things differently, is what needs to happen in order to save it or set things right. You've put this beautifully. The whole concept of sacrifice is about making the choice. Choosing to view the world from a different perspective.

Mimers	29 Oct 2003
Dead Star, What a great description of the Hanged Man. I am going to copy it into my tarot journal. It is very insightfull and this is a card that is not usually very clear to me. Thanks for sharing and look forward to seeing more of your posts! take care, Mimi

Aoife	29 Oct 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jmd With regards to the five faces 'within' the Tree, it's as if the ancestors of the hanging man were here as witness to the situation, to his sacrifice and transformation. Ghosts, but ones deeply connected at a spiritual level. For those who have the accompanying book, it would be interesting to read what it says of the faces. From: "Wisdom in the Cards" A.L.Samuls "The faces on the tree illustrate the idea of things seeming to come out of nowhere. We use the phrase 'coming out of the woodwork' when we mean that something previously hidden has come into the light. It was always there but we weren't able to see it. Just so, the faces in the tree were always there but invisible to The Hanged Man until his perspective was changed".

Star Spirit	29 Oct 2003
Thanks for all the input. I always wondered about those faces. I'm glad you're all so open to my interpretation :)

Lethe	01 Nov 2003
Since I've been at the site I've discovered that my shadow card is the Hanged Man, the issue of sacrifice you bring is very helpful to me since it is an issue that often holds me back. I'm too quick to sacrifice myself for the will of others, however quite often inside I feel bitter about this, even though it was my own choosing. Your description is wonderful Dead Star.

Moongold	01 Nov 2003
Hi Dead Star.............what a pity we can't add all the responses you are getting to your wonderful post to your post count :D. Thank you for the insight and for introducing me to the Hudes deck. I saw those images and thought I'd love to have a further look. Here is another version of the Hanged Man from the Ancestral Path deck. It is called the Hanged One. It gives another perspective.

Star Spirit	01 Nov 2003
Wow I love that card. Thanks for the replies guys :>

DesertHowler	03 Nov 2003
Quote: Originally posted by jmd With regards to the five faces 'within' the Tree, it's as if the ancestors of the hanging man were here as witness to the situation, to his sacrifice and transformation. Ghosts, but ones deeply connected at a spiritual level. Or some type of spiritual guides, not necessarily ancestral? DH

Star Spirit	03 Nov 2003
You may be right, that sounds more likely to me.

lark	03 Nov 2003
I have the hudes book this is what it says about the faces in the tree. The faces in the tree illustrate the idea of things seeming to come out of nowhere. We use the phrase "coming out of the woodwork" when we mean that something previously hidden has come to light. It was always there but we weren't able to see it. Just so, the faces in the tree were always there, but invisible to the Hangman untill his perspective was changed. Interesting hey!

Star Spirit	03 Nov 2003
Now THAT makes perfect sense. Whew. And I have the Hudes deck too! Never thought to look at it. Silly me.

The My First Post - The Hanged Man thread was originally posted on 29 Oct 2003 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.