One of the most powerful illusions that grips our collective psyche is the illusion of control. The hanged man appears as a reminder that it is time to surrender to the greater forces of nature/God/the Universe. This is very difficult for the ego, and yet a necessary stage in the process of conscious evolution.
In our regular, unconscious routines of going about life, we imagine that we alone are fully responsible for everything we create and experience. While it is good to be able to take personal responsibility for one’s life, it is also very important to remember that we are co-creators of life – with life. Life is alive. If we are able to dance with the forces of life, we can achieve much more than we could all on our own. Without awareness of the forces of life, or the Divine or God, we imagine we have to force everything in a constant experience of efforting. Our egos believe this is the only way. This red eyed bat (has he been having some insomnia?) comes to say – Hey Lady! Hang your ego upside down! Hang your ego to dry! Turn your ego on its head! The ego is not going to be the one who leads us to true freedom or glory. The hanged man says – Tune in! Turn on! Turn upside down! (for now) There is a feeling of limitation. A feeling of being bound. This can make us very restless or irritated or depressed. It is time to surrender our ideas of power and control, and allow our own inner faith and trust to develop.
What do you believe about life? I used to think life was a struggle, a competition, that life was out to get me, that life wanted to see me struggle and fail. And so that’s how life felt. It felt difficult, it felt sad and even hopeless at times.
And then I was offered a new perspective. What if life wants to see me flourish? What if life were totally supporting me to become the best I could be? That life wants me to feel good!? What if my life were the perfect ecosystem for me to grow in? This very possibility still blows my mind. But the more I can believe it, the more I feel it.
Hanged Man says – lets try to see things from a different perspective. It may change everything… for the best.
Margot Darling 