Sage Leaves, October 22, 2024

Welcome to Sage Leaves, a compendium of wisdom for those seeking to heal ancestral wounds using Tarot as an assistant. In this issue, we will explore the archetype of The Hanged Man and relate it to the Heroine’s Journey, as well as explore how it is read when it appears in a reading conducted for transgenerational healing.

Table of Contents

• Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Hanged Man

• The Hanged Man & The Heroine’s Journey

• The Hanged Man in a Reading for Transgenerational …

• Energetic Influences This Week 10/22

Spotlight on a Jungian Archetype: The Hanged Man

In Jungian terms, The Hanged Man represents a powerful archetype of surrender, transformation, and new perspectives. The image of a figure suspended upside down, often by one foot, symbolizes a voluntary pause and reversal of ordinary thinking. This card embodies the principle of letting go and embracing a shift in consciousness, which is crucial for personal growth and individuation—the process of becoming one’s true self, a key Jungian concept.

The Hanged Man reflects the archetype of the Sacrificed God or the Wounded Healer, figures who undergo trials or sacrifices for deeper wisdom and spiritual renewal. The act of hanging upside down implies a surrender to forces beyond control, much like the Jungian idea of relinquishing the ego's dominance to engage with the unconscious. In this suspended state, the figure gains a new perspective on life, much like a period of introspection and contemplation that Jung advocates as essential for integrating the unconscious and conscious minds.

From a Jungian lens, this card connects with the archetype of transformation. Just as in alchemy, where lead is transformed into gold, The Hanged Man symbolizes the process of dissolving old structures of belief or patterns of behavior to allow for rebirth. The card is also associated with the Individuation Process, where one must face internal conflicts or make sacrifices in the pursuit of psychological wholeness.

In a tarot reading, The Hanged Man encourages looking at situations from a different perspective, embracing the unknown, and trusting in the natural flow of life. It reminds one of the importance of patience, self-reflection, and the transformative power of surrendering to inner growth, echoing Jung’s call to explore the unconscious in pursuit of a more integrated, authentic self.

The Hanged Man & The Heroine’s Journey

In the Heroine's Journey, The Hanged Man plays a crucial role in the phase of surrender and transformation. The Heroine’s Journey is distinct from the Hero’s Journey in its focus on internal development, emotional integration, and spiritual awakening, rather than external achievements. The Hanged Man represents a pivotal moment in this inward quest, where the heroine voluntarily or involuntarily steps away from forward action and into a space of stillness, reflection, and surrender.

The Moment of Suspension

The Hanged Man’s imagery of a figure hanging upside down speaks to the heroine's transition from active striving to conscious pause. In the Heroine’s Journey, there often comes a point when the protagonist realizes that the way forward is not through force or external action, but through letting go and reevaluating. The heroine may encounter circumstances where she feels stuck or overwhelmed—similar to how The Hanged Man is suspended between heaven and earth. This card indicates that instead of resisting the stillness or trying to regain control, the heroine must surrender to this state of liminality. It’s a time for deep introspection, where the heroine understands that true transformation comes from within.

In many versions of the Heroine’s Journey, the protagonist must disconnect from societal expectations, familial roles, or even her own identity to rediscover her authentic self. The Hanged Man symbolizes the suspension of these external pressures and the need to step into a higher form of consciousness, one that recognizes the interconnectedness of all things. The hanging figure isn’t suffering in this suspended state; rather, they are at peace, knowing that this pause is essential for growth.

A Shift in Perspective

Central to The Hanged Man is the idea of seeing things from a new perspective. In the Heroine’s Journey, this card represents a turning point where the heroine realizes that the old ways of seeing the world, and herself, are no longer serving her. She must shift her perspective to understand the deeper layers of her experience and the universal truths that underpin her personal story. This could mean a shift in how she views her relationships, her goals, or her sense of self-worth.

The heroine may have to confront uncomfortable truths during this stage. Like The Hanged Man, who surrenders willingly to this upside-down view, the heroine must learn to embrace uncertainty, ambiguity, and the dissolution of her previous beliefs. This shift in perspective is often necessary for her to reconnect with her inner power, wisdom, and intuition.

Letting Go and Trusting the Process

The Heroine’s Journey is not about control but about surrendering to forces greater than oneself. The Hanged Man teaches the heroine the value of patience, non-attachment, and trust. In this phase, the heroine learns that she cannot rush the process of transformation; she must surrender to the flow of life. This card speaks to the importance of allowing the natural unfolding of events, even when they seem out of one’s control. By letting go of expectations and the need for certainty, the heroine opens herself up to deeper spiritual insights and growth.

The Hanged Man also reflects the heroine’s acceptance of her vulnerability. In the Heroine’s Journey, there is a deep need to reconcile with one’s emotional wounds, fears, and insecurities. By hanging upside down and surrendering, the heroine metaphorically exposes her soft underbelly, trusting that this vulnerability will lead to healing rather than harm.

The Gateway to Transformation

Ultimately, The Hanged Man is a gateway to transformation in the Heroine’s Journey. After surrendering and shifting her perspective, the heroine emerges with new wisdom and a stronger connection to her authentic self. This period of suspension, while challenging, is necessary for the heroine to shed old patterns, release societal conditioning, and align with her true purpose.

In this sense, The Hanged Man represents the alchemical process of transformation in the Heroine’s Journey. It is the necessary pause before the heroine re-engages with the world, this time with greater clarity, wisdom, and alignment with her inner truth.

The Hanged Man in a Reading for Transgenerational Healing

The Hanged Man card, when drawn in a tarot reading focused on transgenerational healing, has profound significance. It represents a pause, a surrender, and a shift in perspective, which are all key to understanding and healing ancestral wounds passed through generations. The card encourages the querent to step back, reflect, and allow themselves to see familial patterns, traumas, and inherited behaviors from a new angle.

Surrendering to the Process of Healing
In transgenerational healing, individuals often need to recognize that they are carrying emotional, psychological, or even physical wounds that may not originate from their own lives but from their ancestors. The Hanged Man’s influence in a reading tells the querent that healing these deep wounds requires surrendering to the process. Much like the figure in the card who is hanging upside down in a state of suspension, the querent must let go of their usual approaches to life, control, or understanding. The process is about being open to revelation, even if it initially feels uncomfortable or unfamiliar. By suspending immediate judgment or action, they allow ancestral patterns to surface for examination.

Releasing Ego and Embracing Collective Healing
The Hanged Man in the context of transgenerational trauma encourages the querent to relinquish their ego’s tight grip on personal narratives. In Jungian terms, the ego is our conscious self that often resists change or deeper unconscious work. The Hanged Man invites the querent to step beyond their individual ego and into the larger, collective unconscious—a realm that includes ancestral memories, unresolved traumas, and family karma. By letting go of the ego’s control, the querent becomes a conduit for healing not only their own wounds but also the inherited traumas of previous generations.

This surrender allows a shift in perspective, leading to the realization that current life challenges might be rooted in patterns established long ago. These could include unspoken grief, unresolved conflicts, or repeated cycles of behavior that have passed through generations. The Hanged Man offers the message that, while these patterns can feel deeply entrenched, healing can occur when we are willing to approach them with a fresh perspective and a sense of surrender to the process of transformation.

Seeing from a New Perspective
One of The Hanged Man’s core messages is to look at life from a different angle. In the context of ancestral healing, this means recognizing that certain struggles may not be purely individual but are part of a larger family narrative. The querent may need to reconsider their beliefs about themselves, their family, or their role within that system. The Hanged Man’s influence suggests that only by embracing this new perspective can the querent break free from these inherited cycles and patterns.

Healing through Suspension
The suspension in The Hanged Man card also indicates that healing transgenerational trauma is not something that can be rushed. The card calls for patience, reflection, and allowing healing to unfold over time. Just as the figure in the card is not fighting against their suspended state but accepting it, the querent must learn to trust the process of transgenerational healing, which may involve deep, unconscious shifts rather than immediate visible results.

In a tarot reading focused on transgenerational healing, The Hanged Man card emphasizes the need for surrender, new perspectives, and trust in the process of healing ancestral wounds. It suggests that through reflection, acceptance, and the relinquishing of ego control, the querent can play a pivotal role in healing both their own life and the legacy of those who came before them.

Energetic Influences This Week 10/22

This is a reading for the energetic influences at play for the week of October 22-28, 2024. This week the Sun enters Scorpio, with all the intensity and emotional depths attendant, and I drew the 8 of Wands, the 7 of Wands, Ace of Swords, Temperance, Queen of Cups, Ace of Cups, and Judgement. Looking at the cards overall, this week’s journey leads us through emotional exploration and introspection, with lessons in balance, insight, emotional healing, and the truth that transformation is not only necessary but inevitable. Now we will explore each of the cards laid for each day of the week for a guide to energetic influences for the week of October 22-28, 2024.

We enter the week on Tuesday, greeted by the intense energy of the 8 of Wands. The Sun, still lingering in the last degrees of Libra, clashes with Pluto in a tense square. Change is upon us, and fast. The 8 of Wands reflects this acceleration, a surge of events and emotions hurtling forward. What we’ve put into motion, perhaps even unconsciously, is coming back swiftly. This is a day of action, of unexpected messages, of things falling into place whether we’re ready or not. With Pluto’s influence, these changes dig deep into the hidden parts of ourselves, forcing us to confront power dynamics and control. Our goal is to move with the current instead of resisting—because resistance is futile under this influence.

By Wednesday, the Sun slips into the deep, transformative waters of Scorpio. The 7 of Wands accompanies this shift, reminding us that we are standing in a place of defense, but not defeat. The challenges that arise today demand that we hold our ground. We feel the intensity of Scorpio, sharpening our instincts, pushing us to assert our boundaries and defend our positions. The odds may seem against us, yet the 7 of Wands assures us that we have what it takes to stand firm. Scorpio’s energy lends us the stamina to withstand these challenges without crumbling, as long as we remain true to ourselves.

Thursday brings clarity. The Ace of Swords cuts through the fog as the Sun in Scorpio squares the Moon in Leo. There is tension between what we feel emotionally and what needs to be communicated. But the Ace of Swords gifts us with insight and a clear, unflinching vision. It’s a day of truth-telling, even if those truths are hard to hear. Something is revealed today—perhaps from within ourselves or through external conversations—that changes our perspective. The square between the Sun and Moon indicates emotional friction, but the sword cuts through it, making way for clarity.

On Friday, the Temperance card blesses us with balance as the Moon in Leo squares Mercury in Scorpio. After the sharp revelations of the previous day, we are now called to reconcile these pieces. Temperance brings healing, a reminder to blend opposites and find moderation. The square with Mercury in Scorpio urges us to communicate carefully, ensuring our words are both truthful and kind. Temperance teaches us to balance these intense energies, encouraging us to find the middle path in what might feel like a day of emotional extremes.

Saturday’s Queen of Cups offers solace as the Sun in Scorpio forms a harmonious sextile with the Moon in Virgo. We are invited to reconnect with our emotions in a compassionate and nurturing way. The Queen of Cups asks us to take care of our inner world, to be intuitive and gentle with ourselves. This is a time to reflect on the emotional shifts of the week and to find solace in our own inner wisdom. The practical energy of the Moon in Virgo helps us ground these emotions, offering us the chance to heal through structure and self-care.

On Sunday, we are graced with the Ace of Cups, a symbol of emotional renewal and spiritual openness. The transformative energies of the week have culminated in a moment of new emotional beginnings. This card represents the overflowing of love, compassion, and creativity. It’s a day where we can feel deeply connected to ourselves and others, a chance to begin anew with a full and open heart.

Finally, Monday brings the Judgement card. After a week of intense transformation, the call of Judgement is one we cannot ignore. This card speaks to awakening, to a deeper understanding of the self and our purpose. We are asked to reflect on the week that has passed, to see where we have grown and what we have learned. Judgement signals a rebirth—a shedding of old skin to emerge renewed. It’s not just a personal calling; it is collective. We are all part of this larger narrative, this moment of reckoning and rebirth.

As we step forward into the new week, we carry with us the lessons of balance, insight, emotional healing, and the truth that transformation is not only necessary but inevitable.