Past Meets Future in Present: Rider-Waite-Tarot
Imagery used in this analysis was drawn from the Universal Waite Tarot Deck; distributed exclusively by U.S. Games Systems, Inc.
Intuitive interpretations by Joseph H. Bryan-Royster, Ph.D.
King of Wands - Honesty
This is generally a positive image when it is considered in a counseling session. This archetype represents the quality of honesty. A person who is conscientious, mature in the wisdom of life, and also friendly in nature. He is sympathetic and his educational background, through the experiential process of life-learning, enables him to share the fruits of his wisdom with others. He is devoted and known by his fatherly image. His appearance in a counseling session may signify some good news concerning other people and/or an inheritance in the near future. This image is considered to be favorable. The King of Wands is prosperous in his own right, and therefore is a good example for monetary management. His honesty proves that his acquisition of this material wealth was done according to "The Golden Rule." Should this image be representative of an individual in the life of the client, the person is usually married and may be considered to be a gentleman in how he functions socially. He is generous in his nature and so does not hesitate to give aid when it is needed by another. He is active in all of his positive qualities and is a person upon whom the Client may rely when it comes to matters of honesty, sympathy, devotion, prosperity, generosity, etc. He sets a good example.
12 - THE HANGED MAN - Suspension and Mental Transition (Lamed; Water, Neptune)
Reverses Mental Polarity....
Reversal of perception; The process of an alternation of orientation regarding Belief. A mental Focus Shift from external images to those generated within one's True Self, the Mind of God of which we are all Aspects. The upside-down position of this Archetype signifies the Method of changing one's perception from that of receiving external guidance to receipt of insightful Instruction from God's Presence within one's Being. The figure depicted is in reverse, whereas if he were looking at the reflection of the surrounding landscape on the surface of a quiet pond it would appear upright. This is the True position of Reality, and the external representation thereof is in actuality the world viewed through reflected Light. The Hanged Man shows reversal of mental polarity; one must literally "hang upside down" in order to change one's thought patterns from receipt of what they believe as True that is offered via outside sources, i.e. other people, individual life events, etc. Images presented by others and external events are varied in degree from Negative to Positive in random sequence. Belief in this incoming information creates a proverbial "roller-coaster ride" through Life with highs and lows; the degrees of elation or depression dependent upon the quality of the images received. The Halo around the figure's head is the Meditative state of Mind representative of suspended animation which opens the door to receipt of internal Guidance and creative motivation directly from the Universal Source. PARALLEL ARCHETYPES: Meditation, Suspended Animation.
State of Mind: Life in suspension, Transition, Change, Reversal of the mind, Reversal of one's way of life, Apathy and dullness, Abandonment, Renunciation, The changing of life's forces, Period of respite between significant events, Redemption through Sacrifice, Repentance, Readjustment, Regeneration, Approach of new life forces, Surrender, Abeyance, Indecision, Lack of progress, Outside factors having strong influences, Suffering, Unwillingness to make the necessary effort
