The Hanged Man
 
The Hanged Man, traditionally the most mysterious and misunderstood archetype of the Tarot, is unveiled in all it's spiritual truth in the Tarot of the Pomegranate's version.  The great pomegranate of life spins down from the heavens revealing the coccooned being within, and a soul which has come to a point of no-return. The threshold of a new beginning in the same life. The being hangs upside gazing down upon it's life on the earth world, so as that it may see objectively, symbolically and with a new perspective. Below the different paths are revealed, and so directive choices will be contemplated and made in this state of stupor and wonder. Remember Odin who hung from the great Yggdrasil tree of life, and gazed down upon the waters and discovered the Runes, the great language of the gods. The Hanged Man reflects this state of being, only we discover our own unique soul's language, reflecting in the labyrinthine waters below. The Hanged Man will see for the first time it's soul's heart and purpose. Water is the element of The Hanged Man,  for this is a deep state of contemplation and reflection. Water holds all our Earth's memory from the first beginnings of life. The Hanged Man may tap into these waters if he dares to name his state of no-return an honor. Or he may continue to hang in suspension, almost reborn but not quite allowing himself to unwrap his safe swaddling. Remember it is more painful to remain stuck in the past, than it is to move on towards your truth, no matter how different it may be. For indeed one's inability to make a clear choice and to return to one's truth will create a spiraling hell where situations in life, because of the soul's starvation, become obsessions. Life, as it was meant to be lived, becomes a dark void. In the end, the soul will return and have to start again with the same lessons. Take a cue from The Hanged Man archetype. Know it is time to step back, look at your direction and wake up.
 
 
The original of this image is oil on canvas, 5.2 ft. x 3 ft.. 2009. Painting and text by An-Magrith Erlandsen.
To purchase an original signed limited edition print of this image go to the Bazaar.

 

 

 
Copyright © An-Magrith Erlandsen/ Tarot of the Pomegranate 1998/2009. All Rights Reserved.