From the
Tarot de St. Croix, the Hanged Man; from the Archetype Cards, the 'Virgin:'
St. Croix suggests the Hanged Man represents seeing things from a different perspective, thus allowing the willingness to surrender to the reality of what is. This card always reminds me of an analogy from AA's text:
Each person is like an actor who wants to run the whole show; is forever trying to arrange the lights, the ballet, the scenery, and the rest of the players in his own way. If his arrangements would only stay put, if only people would do as he wished the show would be great. Everybody, including himself, would be pleased. Life would be wonderful.
The Hanged Man's message is that no matter how good of a director I am, I will never be able to control the show. Yet the good news is that when I put down my bullhorn and walk away from the director's chair, life gets easier and less stressful. My mind can calm down and my heart can open up. The Virgin archetype symbolizes a purity of heart - having no hidden motives or agendas. It implies acting with integrity and speaking with candor without nominating myself as "She Who Must Be Obeyed."
