The Hanged Man
“A Fresh Perspective”
Why don't we look at this situation while we are standing on our heads? Shall we? The Hanged Man says it's time to see things from a perspective you had not considered. No, the one you had NOT considered. No….the one you had NOT considered. No……Yeah, that one. Good Job. Thought you knew all the angles? The Hanged Man says there's still more options available to you-- if you let life lead. They say that insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. The Hanged Man is tired of that old game. He wants a new game, and he wants it to be actually playful. Hanged Man is definitely telling you to stop being so darned serious.
Hanged Man usually comes up when you feel stuck or are seeking new clarity in a situation that needs to change. But instead of hammering away at the problem (as you have been for a while) Hanged Man suggests that you need to step away…step so far away that things look a lot different.
In the iconography he is hanging from his foot, which is both unexpected and symbolizing that now is not the time for action. He has a circle of light around his head, symbolizing new ideas. He is full of wonder, possiblity and imagination.
When we literally find a way to be upside down- standing on your head, lying upside down on the couch, even just tilting your head- if any of those are physically available to you. If not, not to worry, the Hanged Man is all about imagination. Just imagine being upside down and you can get the same results. My point is that when you are upside down the blood rushes to your brain. This literally brings more oxygen to your thinking. That means new fuel for fresh new ideas. And that's just what you need. Something NEW.
New Fuel. New Imagination. New Mental Light. New Possibility. New Ideas. New Progress. In that order.
Too often we want new progress but don't take the time to allow the process that requires. Rush rush rush. "Silly Humans," the Hanged Man says. He knows that real progress takes imagination and patience. Sometimes the best thing you can do when you get the Hanged Man card is to simply STOP TRYING.
Doesn't that make you want to take a deep breath?
For many of us, "stop trying" is enough of a radical change that the clarity we are seeking comes right away. Sometimes a big pause changes everything. Hanged Man is number 12 which adds up to 3 which is the Empress, who also tells us to pause. But as the Empress teaches us to pause and appreciate, Hanged Man tells us to pause and trust. Wait. Wait for the clarity that is coming. It IS coming, if we can get out of our own way, stop trying, and allow it.