Aspect of Consciousness: Reversal
The Law of Reversal / Surrender: The suspension of personal mental activity
through the use of concentration. The stilling or suspension of the mind
so that one can turn within and receive knowledge. The meditative state of
mind known as Samadhi. This meditative state is a result of the
ability to hold one's mind in a state of suspension by using the powers of
self-consciousness to still the creative image making aspect of subconsciousness.
However, this cannot be safely done until one has established a strong and
stable personality, lest it be swept away by the strong currents of the lower
subconscious.
As a result, the person in this state knows that he/she is always supported by the ONE, and he/she thus also knows the real meaning of Security and Freedom. The lesson of the Law of Reversal is that we must REVERSE in every way we can, our whole attitude towards what it is that gives us security and what it is in us that is really free. The silent, calm reversal of one's own way of life, combined with perfect tolerance of the ways of other people. The reversal is a reversal of thought; a reversal in point-of-view.
Hebrew Name: Mem (water)
Mem is one of the three primary Hebrew "Mother" letters and means
"water" or "seas." Water "is the first
mirror. Water reflects images upside down."1
"The waters of the letter Mem are none other than the waters of
consciousness- the Primal Substance of Being without beginning or end."2
Qabalistic Intelligence: The Stable
Intelligence
The only support able to provide us with any real stability is reliance upon
God (Thy Will, not my will). In addition: " Until we are stable in
our individuality, we cannot really give ourselves over with safety to that
'mute, dark mirror of substance,' the waters of the Primal Substance. To do so
prematurely would be to risk having our consciousness overcome by the waters of
the mass mind-that level in the ocean of consciousness wherein dwells the Vital
Soul of all humanity, but no self-conscious individuality."3
Astrological Correspondence: Neptune
Named after the Roman god of the sea, Neptune is the planet of mystery and
illusion - of things hidden in the watery depths. When we are stabilized
in our individuality, then reversing and suspending the mind results in
"mystical revelations and creative inspirations."4
Number: 12
The power of 2 (subconsciousness) acting through the agency of 1
(self-consciousness). This suggests that the powers of
subconsciousness are operating through the self-conscious mind's power of
focus and attention.
Color / Note: Blue / G#
Symbolism:
(Summarized from "The Tarot", by P.F. Case)5
The Scene: A man hangs up side down suspended from a tree. He is symbolic of the "Suspended Mind." "The Hanged Man can still the waters safely because his focus is intent upon the Central Self."6
The Man: He is in calm repose. The hanged one, like Christ is a role model for us to follow, as he or she willingly and lovingly submits to doing the work of his or her divine parents here on earth, despite the fact that it will entail sacrifice. His legs form a figure 4 (Reason) and they are above his hands and shoulders which form a triangle (3- Imagination). The meaning here is that in order to suspend the mind over the roar of the storms of everyday life we must make full use of the power of reason and subordinate the imagination.
The Tree: The man hangs from a tree in the form of the Hebrew letter Tav (The Cosmic Life). He hangs from and is dependent upon the Source of life from above. The hanged man is completely stable and secure because he does not rely on externals; he is completely and totally dependent on God.
The hanged man sees beneath the surface of situations and people.
The challenge is to consciously apply the Law of Reversal to everyday life:
 | Reversal: You achieve Security and Freedom through Reversal and Surrender. You still the mind and reverse the illusions of appearances into reality. You reverse those thoughts and feelings that are a reflection of the mass mind. You develop a willingness to reverse your position and see things from the other side. |
| Security & Freedom: You realize that Security comes not from externals, but from surrender to God's Will (Thy Will be done). You realize that true Freedom lies in retaining the right of deliberate conscious choice as to what bonds you shall assume. For they are not bonds. The choices you make and the relationships you form are ties with the Higher Self just like the rope on the Hanged Man's ankle. You let go and let God and find the stability you seek. |
In "Living the Tarot", Amber Jayanti provides some suggestions for integration and application of The Hanged Man.
|
The Imagery of The Hanged man can be used to:7
|
| Ask yourself the following questions:8 Where would I like to feel more secure and stable? What thoughts or actions would I benefit from suspending? Where might I be sacrificing more than I can afford to? What have I been avoiding through extended periods of meditation, fantasy, or over-indulgence in food, sex, drugs, and/or alcohol? [In what aspects of my life do I feel stuck, hung-up, or on hold?] |
Illustrations from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck reproduced by permission of
U.S. Games Systems, Inc., Stamford, CT 06902 USA. Copyright ©1990 by U.S. Games
Systems, Inc. Further reproduction prohibited.