The “Negative” Tarot Cards of the Major Arcana Explained
The Hanged Man is one of those images in a tarot card deck that are recognizable even to those who have never had a reading. His illustration is based on the Norse god Odin, who hung from a tree for days to learn the secrets of the Runes. This card brings with it many paradoxes that may be hard for you to wade through and sort out. Admitting fear will give you enough courage to conquer it. If you resist being controlling, everything will become more controlled. The Hanged Man instructs that these lessons can only be learned and understood if you stay still long enough to discover them. You can’t move forward in life while you are struggling in place. Some things may have to be sacrificed for an overall gain.
Death is also an instantly recognizable card and one that no one wants to see. But it doesn’t refer to the physical act of dying the way that many people think. It represents transformation, and the “death” of one phase that is necessary for the next phase to be born. Life will continue on through all of these cycles of death and rebirth. Problems can arise if you try to fight this natural cycle. Face the upcoming “death” with courage, drop anything you won’t need in the new “life” and continue on your path.
Temperance is the natural follow up to the cleansing that comes with Death. Now that you have been “reborn”, you can cultivate new beliefs and methods to apply to this new life. This is a period of harmonious reconstruction. It is a time of balance and formation of your general well being. If this card refers to another person in your tarot reading, the relationship between the two of you will be such that you are able to function as one. This duality can also extend to the self, where
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