XII - The Hanged Man

Card Drawn on Dec 22nd, 2007:

The Hanged Man - Reversed

Book Definition:
"Man hidden dangers await the good"
A young cock guards and holds the attention of the Arcanum, symbol of moral sacrifice, reflection, waiting and the passing of tests. Stagnation regarding emotions, love, business, and profession. Mission or difficult tasks which must be carried out without means. Long-term debt or credit. Slow bureaucracy. Postponed dates.

Card Description:

Firstly I must note that this is the first time a major arcana has come about. Major arcana usually represent something large happening or something that will be difficult to change and last a long time. A man tied at the chins and ankles dangles from a tree branch. A rooster stands on the branch next to him gazing with mouth open, perhaps shocked, perhaps getting ready to swoop to catch the falling slipper. The mans left slipper has fallen off and the man appears to be reaching out, gasping, to catch the slipper. The tree has 3 gashes in it, looks to be either man-made or maybe from lightning. The tree is strong and old and looks to be high on a hill. Underneath the man is a tuft of grass. How did the man get tangled upside-down? Was it a trap set by another? Is he a clumsy fool? The tree looks strong enough to hold him while he figures out how to get down. The falling slipper seems to draw my attention, and it also seems to hold the attention of both beings in the card.

Events of the day:
The most obvious event of the day was the offer for 2 plots of land, let me fill the back story. I saw a listing on Craig's List for 2 plots of land for $5000!! Now in my area, that's a steal, they could easily retail for $75,000. So I contacted the poster, he claimed to know nothing about the property, that it was foreclosed on and the bank needed to sell it. I was hugely torn on what to do, it seemed a little fishy but if it turned out to be something, the profits could be huge! On a side note, on Monday Dec 24th, I went to the town assessors and tax collector's to find out that it didn't seem to be foreclosed and that $40,000 in back taxes were owed on those plots of land. I definitely am not getting involved in that mess.

Interpretation:

The hanged man means indecision about a big event or change in one's life. More insight and research is needed before a proper decision can be made. In the event that more research is not completed, the hesitation of the querant will lead to an ultimate "No" regarding the issue.

2 of Cups

Card drawn on Dec 13, 2007:

2 of Cups

Book Definition:

The serene couple, agreeing partners, long-lasting passion. New alliances.

Card description:

A couple sits happily at bench each with their own chalice. The fields behind them are prosperous. If they are farmers of this field, success awaits them. The flying dove above the man is also a signal of success. The farmhouse in the distance looks well upkept and large; possibly signaling the two's large family.

Events of the day:

It was a very short day today due to the really bad snow storm. I spent the most of the day again doing remedial tasks. The drive home was horrible and dangerous. Having a half day at work allowed me to spend more time with my family.

Interpretation of the card:

To me, this card seems more like a family card. A coming together, bonding experience with the family that may be long overdue or giving an opportunity that would not have happened under normal circumstances (but in a good way). I could also see this applying to quality time with the significant other as well.

Queen of Cups

Card drawn for Dec 12, 2007:

Queen of Cups

Definition from the book:

Companion, relative, partner, and ideal friend; amiable, knows how to love and console.

Description:

An opulently, well-dressed woman drinks from her chalice. She looks content as if the cup reaffirms her comfort and success in life. In her other hand, she holds a small bag - maybe full of coins? A pillow cushions her head and lower back; a dove - the symbol of peace - sits at her feet content with its master. Two cherubs hold a shield with the emblem of a deer in the picture behind her. She looks to be wealthy but grounded.

Events of the Day:

Most notibly was that my boss was unusually friendly and kind yesterday. She bought a few of us breakfast and then took us down to the cafeteria for lunch. I spent a good portion of the day doing remedial tasks at work. I went Christmas shopping with my boyfriend. He also had a dream that morning that he won $10,000 on a scratch ticket, we bought a few and he only won $4.

Final Thoughts:

I think the Queen of Cups represents possibly an older woman who is a motherly figure being extra kind or doing a selfless act to help the quarant out

9 of Wands

Card drawn for Dec 11, 2007:

9 of Wands - Reversed

Generally when a card is shown reversed (upside-down), I treat them as recessive energy. For instance, reading the card as if it was right side up only that the sentiments of the card are repressed and need to be worked towards to achieve.

Definition from the book:
Clarification of confusing and complicated situations. A good end to longed-for negotiations.

Personal Reading:

A lion stands poised in the distance growling - a sign of longed-for, worked-hard-for success; the Wands form a cone that the page lights - a symbol of giving a signal or giving direction to where the success lies. The feather in the pages cap also points toward the lion. The lion looks to be on an unstable cliff ledge, which could show how easily that success can fall away from the page if he does not proceed with caution. The card is reversed which draws more upon the fact of the success possibly not coming to fruition unless acted upon.

Events of the Day:
Not too much out of the ordinary occured yesterday, but that could be why it was only a minor arcana card and not a major arcana card. In the morning, my mother was going through some of my grandmother's things - she died about a month and a half ago; she lived with my family for about 10 years, her death hit us very hard. She found some CDs and religious things that I had bought and given to my grandmother over the years and offered them back to me.
Throughout the work day I had an overwhelming sense of doom and gloom; I've been suffering from a major quarter-life crisis lately and on the 11th it really peaked.
After work I went to my friend's singing recital. She takes singing classes and on the last class of the semester, people are invited to come and watch them perform. I actually took that class last June and enjoyed it, I haven't had the time nor the money to take it since but going to the class really inspired me to want to take it again.
And finally, I had really stressful dreams and when I awoke on the morning of the 12th, I felt very exhausted.

Final Interpretation:
So weeding out the less important events, I have made a conclusion as to the meaning of this card. I agree with the publishers definition for this card mostly; the 9 of wands represents a symbol or direction for someone who has lost their way, "clarification of confusing and complicated situations". However now that I look over this card again, I see it more as the page is lost in the woods/field/cliffs/whatever, he is making a fire with the wands almost as a flare stating "HEY! I'm over here! I'm lost please come find me and show me the way!" The lion - possibly a guardian, parent or guiding spirit - is in the background watching over subtly offering advice and direction to help the page out of the place he is lost. Most likely it was the lions idea to start to the fire to find help. The fact that card was reversed, in this instance, means that this small nudge in the right direction has no significant impact right now, but instead is the push needed to move onto bigger and better things.