Card 12-The Hanged Man
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
United States
January 16, 2011 12:12pm CST
The Hanged Man is often misinterpreted and seen as a bad omen. It is under the sign of water, presided over by the water Gods such as Poseidon/Neptune. It is a sign that means change or activity and calls for flexibility. It is the old Mr. Lee saying, “Be water my friend”.
The Hanged Man on the Tree of Life is located on the path between Hod (Splendour) and Geburah (Severity). It is on the pillar of Severity, the left hand pillar of the tree. In this placement The Hanged man represents the self-sacrifice for the greater good. It is the myth of the pelican who pierces its own breast to feed its young. Furthermore it is every slain god who dies to bring life and love and light to the world.
If the Hanged Man is drawn in a reading or by itself is symbolizes a still in the water. In the positive it may represent your willingness to adapt or be flexible and to sacrifice in a current situation. If it is in the negative it may mean that you may have been inflexible and stubborn and unwilling to sacrifice and that has resulted in a poor outcome. If the situation is a negative the Hanged Man reminds that we did it to ourselves by our own actions. As the old saying goes “selfless services is its own reward”, which is why in its negative position it can mean being trapped in your own web of lies and deception.
Questions: When is the last time you had to sacrifice something? Do you give of yourself for others?
2 responses
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
19 Jan 11
Being a mother I think that much of my life is about sacrifice, but that isn't something that bothers me at all. I would give the shirt off of my back if it meant that my children would be able to have better. In addition to feeling that way about my role as a mother, I also have observed in my life that I am the kind of person that would give anything that I can if it means that someone else will have better in their life. That is just a part of the way that I am and it is definitely not something that I am or have ever been ashamed of.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
19 Jan 11
Dorann-
Motherhood (and parenthood in general) is a wonderful example of self sacrifice. When we become parents we are forced into looking at life in a new way. It is not that we did not chose our children mind you, it is that we now have to put someone else first before our own needs and wants. Though in the end we gain a beautiful reward.
Namaste-Anora
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
16 Jan 11
Namaste Anora,
It has been quite sometime that I sacrificed something for others maybe because I never got a chance in recent times... people around me have become so different to me since my illness in 2008 that they seem to hide their real self from me.
But yes, I did do something a couple of days back where I could be in trouble - my landlord had some pain in his chest and as he was all alone, I took him to the hospital. They were telling me not to sign the documents (which meant a delay in his treatment; weird - kind of formalities they have) because I was not someone from his family and I could have been in problem if anything bad happened to the old man. But I did fill up the forms and was with him till his family arrived(they were away for some work as a wedding in their family is on 23rd). Though I am unaware of the laws at my place asto what bad could happen to me in case anything bad happened but they were telling me that I could face legal issues and also some bad things from his family.
If that counts, then I can say, I am willing to give myself for others if there are good reasons.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
17 Jan 11
Sids-
I think it is always good to do the right thing regardless. What you did for your landlord was very kind. And it certainly did require you to make an on the spot decision and sacrifice the legal system to make sure this man was cared for!
Namaste-Anora
