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The Tarot of Eli 2, LLC: The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Key 12-The Hanged Man & The Fairy Tarot - Key 12-the Hanged Man.

Western Hermetic Qabalah, Alchemical, Astrological, Numerical, and Tantric Traditional Tarot Card Comparisons.

May 26, 2024

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The Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot- Key 12-The Hanged Man

The Tarot of Sacred Kingdoms -Awakening

Key 12 is full of meaning for the Occultist (Studier of the Hidden) and the Qabalist (Receiver). This card refers to the reversal of thought, which is seen in the "Mirror" of reflected and coagulated light that we call "the World". The Occultist knows that the enlighten multitude have reversed the thought of I Am by seeking outside what is only truthful and hidden inside. All existence is dependent on Cosmic Law, and not manmade rules. Another meaning for this key-12 is to Suspend the Mind, something the Yogis, call Samadhi, a word with no equivalent in English; However, it is an exalted mental state that the aspirant becomes upon entry into the Divine Consciousness of Pure Being and/or the Divine Creative, where one becomes the one meditated on, instead of the meditator. Here there is a reverse of consciousness, where the subject becomes the object, as one looks down from the Astral of the Universal Collective Unconscious to the intimate sensuality of the awake consciousness.

This is the logical consequence of enlightenment, where one is in a psychological state of believing that what they thought themselves to be, is totally lost and/or sacrificed to a greater principle. Hence, this card represents an action of the Greater Self. The Son/Sun has resolved the dualities of male and female creating within himself the perfect balance of Mother and Father, (The Divine Hermaphrodite) which means sacrificing all vestiges of the personal self. In Tarot, the Hanged Man is but one aspect of the Perfected and/or Greater Self; other aspects are represented as the Magician (Magus), by the Lover (s) and the Sun.

In more modern Western Hermetic- Qabalistic Tarot, the Universal Element assigned to this card is the Hebrew letter- Mem, which is water and is the "first mirror" and/or "Self-Reflection" of the I AM. In Water, images are reflected in reverse, (as they come from Air-Intellect) an idea carried out by the Key 12, symbolizing reflected Life, of Life in image, of Life taken by the forms of "occult" water and/or Cosmic Substance (Mother Binah's amniotic fluid), often known to Qabalists as the "Great Sea of Mother Binah"-the Creatrix and to Carl Jung as the Universal Collective Unconsciousness.

I have already mentioned that the Hanged Man represents "Suspended Mind", the occultist that invented the TAROT, (Before Latin became the Patriarchies official language) knew that man and mind come from the same Sanskrit root word-Manas. The title also refers to the utter dependance of human personality upon Cosmic Life.

The Art of the Rider-Waite-Smith-Key 12 , features the human figure hanging from a Tau (T) cross made of living wood which symbolizes the Cosmic Life. The Cherub is pointing out that his foot is unbound bringing wisdom to the hanged man and advises him that the time to act is now.

The development of this Tarot image has changed slowly over time. At first the hanged man was illustrated as holding bags of silver , as if he represented Judas, relating to Gothic Humanism and alluded to "virtues". Hence, this card at first represented "avarice". Later, this "hung by one foot" became the image of punishment given to a knight who has displayed dishonesty or cowardice. Then in the 18th and 19th century, Tarot commentators linked this card's meaning to the "Dying gods" and/or gods hung in a tree (such as Odin/Christ etc.) and subsequently resurrected.

The Hanged Man of Tarot- displays a crown chakra of light (-energy centers of light)- and/or a halo, with the figures foot rooted in the upper (Unconscious) center. This implies that this condition results from interactive waves of thought and experience (The body gives thought/information, in-form-action, which is experience) that happens between the awake conscious and unconscious, brought about by the use the Kundalini force, represented by the coiled serpentine rope that is wrapped around the RWS figures foot. Kundalini is best described as the Cosmic Sex Force (maker of stars), a Serpentine flow of Electric and Magnetic energy from which all things are created and destroyed. Something that must be avoided by the untrained.

The legs of the Hanged figure, form the upside-down sign of Jupiter, the benevolent god. So, there is a subtle meaning here of "mercy", that is also the 4th Sephiroth of Chesed, on the Tree of Life. Hence, there is a reference to the practical fact that true peace comes from within. This Hanged One/Man has found their inner Zen in what seems like an unusual placement of the Tree. However, we are "upside down" in this world, as our "feet" are rooted in the Celestial Realms of Akasha, and our intelligence/Head is being projected to the World of Malkuth/Earth, through the avatar we call our human form. Hence, "upside down". The Hanged Man is simply at peace and relaxed there is no pain or Anguish on his face, as he is hanging in his bliss or sitting with it as in the Tarot of Sacred Kingdoms.

The Tarot of Sacred Kingdoms-Key 12-Awakening shows a different twist on self-sacrifice, that the traditional "Hanged Man" even though it also illustrates it's time to change perspective. Instead of hanging from a branch or Tau cross, this man is glorying in the ancient wisdom of a tree and the light above and the lights of the wing fairy: a very poetic way of creating yin yang symbol of balanced male and female forces.

The white lilies promote purity of thought and heart.

 

The language of plants, often referred to as "flower symbolism" or "floriography," is the practice of attributing meanings to different types of flowers. This symbolic language has been used for centuries to convey messages and emotions that might be difficult to express with words.

Characteristics and Symbolism of White Lilies:

  1. Purity and Innocence:

    • White lilies are commonly associated with purity and innocence. Their pristine white petals are often seen as a representation of a pure heart and soul.
  2. Majesty and Virtue:

    • The elegant and majestic appearance of white lilies symbolizes virtue and high esteem. They are often used in ceremonies and decorations to convey a sense of dignity and honor.
  3. Rebirth and Renewal:

    • In various cultures, white lilies are linked to themes of rebirth and renewal. This symbolism is particularly prominent in Christian traditions, where the lily is associated with the Virgin Mary and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
  4. Sympathy and Remembrance:

    • White lilies are frequently used in funerals and memorial services as a symbol of sympathy and the purity of the soul of the departed. They represent the hope that the deceased has found peace and purity in the afterlife.
  5. Peace and Tranquility:

    • The serene and calm appearance of white lilies conveys a sense of peace and tranquility. They are often used in settings where a peaceful and soothing atmosphere is desired.

Botanical Characteristics of White Lilies:

  1. Appearance:

    • White lilies have large, trumpet-shaped flowers with six petal-like tepals. The flowers can be quite fragrant and are typically borne on tall, slender stems.
  2. Growth Habit:

    • Lilies are perennial plants that grow from bulbs. They prefer well-drained soil and can thrive in a variety of climates, though they are most commonly found in temperate regions.
  3. Varieties:

    • There are many species and cultivars of white lilies, each with slight variations in size, shape, and fragrance. Some popular varieties include the Madonna Lily (Lilium candidum) and the Easter Lily (Lilium longiflorum).
  4. Care:

    • White lilies require minimal care once established. They need regular watering, especially during dry periods, and benefit from mulching to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

By understanding the characteristics and symbolism of white lilies, one can appreciate their beauty and the profound messages they convey in the language of plants.

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With similar numerical comparison, but not easily seen in this illustration, the crossed leg of the Hanged Man also equals the number 4 of the emperor. Therefore, they are red, the color of action and fire, the qualities of the sign of Aries and individuality. Also, dressed in blue, the colors of water/intuition/emotion, the hanged man obviously has a deep sense of his own spirituality and/or Prakriti.

On the both the RWS and Sacred Kingdoms -Hanged Man the upper garment is blue, representing water (Hebrew Letter-Mem), as well as, the robe of the High Priestess, who symbolizes the "Universal Mind Stuff" which is often called the "Astral Plane" by many in the mysteries. For it is in the Astral Planes of "liquid light" that we begin creating thought into form.

RWS-Key 12-The Hanged Man

In his book, The Tarot, Dr. Paul Foster Case states that "The Head of the Hanged Man is... LVX, in manifestation as the logos" which means that by his golden glow around the head which also suggests identity with the Emperor and the Hermit. Therefore, s/he is also compared to the Ancient of Days, reflected in the incarnate life of personality. The Roman numerals L, V, and X are respectively, 50, 5, and 10; making their sum 65 which is the Hebrew name for ADNI/Adoni--- Lord. The One Light is now the word made flesh and is also represented by the esoteric Hebrew word, IHSHVH=Yod-Heh-Shin-Vau-Heh and/or Yehoshua, because Jesus was named after the Hebrew Hero Yoshua (Joshua). This may be only important to the student that has had considerable advancement along the path of "Above all things, know thyself".

Therefore, mundanely, this is a human-soul reflection-turned-upside-down, inverted, and contrary to the way we view most people. In Qabalah, an "upright" person is one who is obedient to the Esoteric Law of Love, which is not the common way of thinking, seeing, or speaking. Hence, Jacob Boehme said, " to walk in all things contrary to the world". For those who don't know, Jacob Boehme was a German philosopher, Christian mystic, and Lutheran Protestant theologian.

Now some people may see this point of view antagonistic, but it is far from it. One need only look at the environment and see that most people are stuck in an emotional self-absorbed quagmire; that most people are in trouble, and that most people can't have a good relationship with themselves or the world. It seems self-evident that common people have put "the cart before the horse" in their practice/experiment in/of Life. This is because the "false ego", is a mind virus that keeps the infested one down; a type of "anti-life" that produces self-destructive tendencies. This false self, once exposed and observed by the awake consciousness of the individual, melts away, as its power depends on being hidden in deception, lies and tricks of imagining and telling the host-individual that it is themselves, and not a parasite who bleeds off their life-force.

Cart before the Horse.

In numerology, the number 12 is often considered a powerful and harmonious number. It is associated with completeness, wholeness, and perfection. Here are some key characteristics attributed to the number 12 in numerology:

  1. Completeness: The number 12 is seen as a complete cycle, representing the twelve months in a year, the twelve zodiac signs, and the twelve hours on a clock.

  2. Harmony: It is considered a harmonious number, symbolizing balance and order. Many systems of knowledge, including astrology and ancient cultures, have revered the number 12 for its sense of balance.

  3. Divine Order: In various spiritual traditions, the number 12 is often linked to divine order and alignment with cosmic principles. It signifies a connection to higher realms.

Now, in Gematria, where each letter of the alphabet is assigned a numerical value, the number 12 can be explored through the sum of the values of its corresponding letters. However, as Gematria typically applies to words or phrases, it's essential to specify the context or word you'd like to analyze in order to provide a more detailed interpretation.

The knowledge of the Law of "cause and effect" is self-evident; hence, the miseries affecting most people are the negative results of misuse of the Law "as i think, therefore, I AM". This is not a weakness nor a fault, it is the indoctrination and dogma of the programed brain that is profaned by the program of Patriarchal /Industrial Military Complex-Rulership, where slaves are needed to fulfill the Wealth of the "few who rule the many"; "Self-loathing" and searching for a savior to come and somehow make them "more intelligent" ---is how a slave thinks.

The Military Industrial Complex

Free, upright people know they are the Light of the Word, Images of the Divine Creative, and that we incarcerate or free our own Selves as we Perceive ourselves to be. This is the knowledge behind the axiom of "Above all things, know thyself". Hence, the Hanged Man is also a card that implies a change of Self- perspective.

Some may see a "free choice" as a victory, over the mind virus of the "false ego", but in all instances of wisdom it is "total surrender". For as soon as the truth of Self is realized, total surrender is the only logical and sensible course of action as it is submission of personal consciousness to the direction of the Universal Mind of Love.

The Magician/Magus, foreshadows this submission by pointing his wand to the above, "stating Thy Will not My will". Paradoxically, this total submission of personal life to Life Itself, makes us intensely positive in our view of others. For now, we see them as "anothers", i.e., "Everyone I see, is Another way to be me". Anybody who fails to follow this course of "another", will become a human doormat. Once we know ourselves to be vehicles to a power in which there are no insurmountable obstacles; I AM-Spirit-Mind-Body, which is another description of the trinity of "Supreme Being" and/or the True Ego.

Therefore, the idea presented by the Awakening or the Hanged Man/One-Key 12, is that mental attitude of "thy will not my will". This attitude comes from the understanding that our will is an elusive mask of words, plastered on our identity by "the false will of outside authority". Only "I AM" is our author. "Me" must become the "Will of the One". Therefore, I (identity) Am (mind) Me (the assumption of "what I am"), must become One Will and One Way to enact that Will. "I AM", is the Truth, but what I am is an assumption of free will, a will that is only free, when one Knows themselves!

When thrown in a divination, The Hanged Man or Awakening-Key 12- implies:

  • The instinct of sacrifice and devotion.
  • Overcoming the ego.
  • Changing one's ways.
  • Redemption.
  • Maturity.
  • Finding Wisdom.
  • The redemptive absorption (Surrendering to the One Will).

If reversed:

  • At a Standstill.
  • Being stuck hanging in the air.
  • Not seeing any purpose in life.
  • Resistance and self-sacrifice.

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