Pathworking the Tarot
Page 6
So are you ready to let it all go? Can you give up your struggle for just a little while and see what possibilities the Hanged Man has to offer? Choose carefully as you make your way through the pathwork exercises below.
Pathwork
Intentional
The Hanged Man has deliberately and intentionally chosen to see the world differently, to shift his perspective and look at things from another angle. This card is a constant reminder that we tend to fall into habitual ways of seeing, which in turn make us act in a preprogrammed way. I know we all like to think we have free will and make decisions based on awareness, but unless we are truly coming at something outside of our normal way of dealing with situations, people, or problems, we are actually running on a habitual loop. The Hanged Man challenges this instinctive habit by turning himself upside down. He literally puts his head down and takes a look around at his world from a different position. For the next few days, see if you can do the same. Every time you do a reading, spread, or daily one-card draw, turn your cards upside down. Change the way they present themselves and suddenly your message is coming from a totally different place. The best way to start seeing things from the Hanged Man’s viewpoint is to look at the colors, the shapes, and the things you never noticed before when you or your cards were right side up. How differently does your eye move over the images now that they are not the way you are used to seeing them? Think about how this card could be used as a mirror of what is currently going on in your life or how the cards might be protecting you. To explore the mirror or protection aspects of your upside down cards, consider using my book Tarot Reversals for Beginners. The Hanged Man says that wisdom comes to those who choose to view the world from an uncomfortable position. Hanging upside down by one foot sure seems uncomfortable to me!
Intuitive
The Hanged Man is associated with the watery and intuitive energy of Neptune, which connects this card to the zodiac sign of Pisces, which in turn links us to the Knight of Cups. That is the trifecta of vision quests right there, which makes the Hanged Man the ideal card to use when you want to dive deeper with your dreamwork. For this exercise, try sleeping with the Hanged Man under your pillow, or even just place the card where you can see it as you drift off to sleep and as you wake up. As you settle into bed for the night, ask the Hanged Man the following question: What area of my life do I need to surrender control over?
Just pose the question to the card and set the intention that the answer will be given to you while you sleep. As you wake up in the morning and gaze at the card, say, “Remind me throughout the day where I need to let go and trust.” Notice if this small exercise changes how you dream or how your day unfolds.
Wandering
If you truly want to get into the upside-down shoes of the Hanged Man, do yoga. The best way to pathwork with the Hanged Man is through yoga. It is not only meditative, as each pose is designed to get you out of your ever-chattering mind and into a state of shifted perception, but it also engages the body-mind dynamic that we are seriously trying to cultivate here in the wandering section of this book. I have had some of my most amazing meditative moments while in the middle of a yoga class. I have been able to still my mind, drop the “I” and drift off toward the void. The best part about yoga is that there are classes for everyone. Acro-yoga, hot yoga, and lots of other types in between. I myself like kundalini yoga. The point of yoga is to get you out of your habitual mind and to expand your sense of awareness. Some of the poses I have done over the years just don’t make any logical sense, which is the point. Putting oneself upside down to hang by one leg doesn’t make logical sense either, but here the Hanged Man is. So go wander with the Hanged Man, find a yoga that will work for you, strike a pose, and let the release of the logical, habitual mind begin.
13. Death
It is no mistake that Death follows the Hanged Man, and that after a time of enforced surrender and an extended period of not moving, we step into the realm of death. This is the death of the ego-self, the one that we let go of while hanging upside down. It is a spiritual death, one through which the past self, the self that no longer serves our current state of being and is no longer relevant, ceases to exist once and for all. Shedding this skin and letting go of this part of who we used to be lays the groundwork for rebirth, regeneration, and a new form to experience and engage in the world around us. Learning how to let go of our need to control, learning how to stop pushing and forcing things into existence, and learning how to go with the flow are skills only the Hanged Man of the previous card can teach. It is through this surrender that we learn to die, release our attachments, and find our way back into the loving arms of the spiritual side of who we are. When we are not afraid of dying, we can move toward Death with open arms. We can embrace this opportunity to be born again and allow ourselves to slip into a new skin. That is really all any of this is, a constant cycle of rebirth, with Death as the recycling agent. Death also lets us know that something has come to an end in order for something new to begin. Endings have to happen in order for beginnings to occur. Trees must blossom before they bear fruit. The blossom must die and fall away to make place for the fruit to burst forth. Considering the journey you have taken so far through the major arcana, Death was bound to happen, for there is no way you could be the same person now as you were when you began this journey. There are parts of you that just no longer exist. These parts could be thoughts, beliefs, emotions, goals, or dreams. What you wished for or wanted and desired at the beginning of this journey may no longer seem relevant or important anymore. This shows the evolving being that you are, with fluid thoughts, feelings, and beliefs. This new level of awareness moved you out of the ego mind, and now you will have to find a new way to chart your course.
Pathwork
Intentional
The Death card has fascinating numbers. Thirteen in numerology is a karmic debt number and is linked to the need to burn off karma through the act of hard work, which sure gives the phrase “working yourself to death” a new twist. Thirteen is also a four, once we break it down by each digit (1 + 3 = 4), which connects it to the Emperor, who ironically is a true workaholic. Four is a foundation number, as it is the number that makes it possible for everything else to be built. From this perspective, the Death card shows us that in many ways our work is never done, that we are always building and rebuilding, and that we are always in the throes of one karmic cycle after another. This is the cycle of life—constant and ever moving, transforming and refiguring itself. This will be your point of focus for this exercise, the idea of surrendering to your karmic debt. But how do you know what it is? Take Death out of your deck and place it faceup in front of you, then shuffle the remaining cards until you feel you are done. Hold the cards up to your heart and take a few nice, deep, grounding breaths. When you feel settled, say the following to your cards: “Show me my current karmic debt and how to burn it off.”
Then split your deck, creating two piles. Take the top card of the left pile and the bottom card of the right pile and lay them faceup under your Death card. The top card you pulled from the left pile is what needs to be burned off and given back to Death; the bottom card from your right pile is how Death feels it needs to be done. You may wish to pick up your journal and explore these two cards further. Especially the numbers on each of the cards, as these may also be clues that can help move you forward.
Intuitive
Although technically we don’t look at this card from a literal death perspective, there is an element of it attached to this card. Like it or not, our lives will end. We will cease to exist and perhaps even be forgotten. These are not comfortable thoughts and feelings to deal with. The idea that our time here is pointless, inconsequential, and lacking meaning makes us all shift a little in our seats. We like to think we have a purpose and a reason for being. Many spiritual teachers argue that this attachment, this holding on to a temporary life, stops us from truly loving and engagin
g with the flickering moments we do have, and that this level of false living only brings us great suffering. This is the level of reflection the Death card presents. It asks you to sit with this idea of attachment and suffering to see if you can find truth of it in your life, and to meditate on the idea that all things are temporary, including yourself. It also asks you to ponder the importance of the things you have gathered in your life and to question your need to hang on to them so tightly. As you meditate on these questions, see where you can find points of liberation, moments of peace, and an easing of stress. You will be amazed at how all of that “holding on” energy has been affecting your body.
Wandering
What’s coming to an end in your life? There is no escaping the fact that death is all around us. With everything we do and everywhere we go, death is there. It has to be, or we would never see birth. But understanding that birth and death are the same energy takes a certain amount of awareness, which is why it is good to deliberately walk around seeking this energy, looking for its magic, and exploring its miracles. Where there was once a dead spot in an urban area now there may be a thriving community garden. Where there was once a war zone, now there is a flourishing village. Where there was once an environmental nightmare, now there is a nature reserve and protected site. For this exercise, seek out places in your community that have been repurposed, that have been resurrected and brought with them the miracle of new life. If you can’t find any in your local area, find an example of one online and use it as a point of mental wandering about the miracle of death and rebirth. By seeing how life follows death, you learn to let things go with more ease. Go now and walk Death’s path and feel Death’s energy, as it takes one thing so another can be blessed in its remains. Get comfortable in Death’s shoes so you can see the miracle that is life.
14. Temperance
Temperance sits between Death and the Devil. She bridges who you were with the possibilities of who you could be. She stands ready to heal your wounds and prepare you for what lies beyond in the Devil’s playground. In this respect, Temperance takes past, present, and future and molds them together to create something completely new. You are not who you once were, and now she needs to mold your new image. This requires balance, expertise, and refinement, since she must attend to the afterbirth of your new self while cleaning up the mess left behind from the death of the ego. She does all of this while preparing you to walk through the residual energy of your past self. This residual energy will be in abundance once you cross over to the Devil card. Temperance’s work is complicated, specialized, and unique, as she must change and alter her healing techniques for every individual that crosses her path. What works for you will not work for the next person who comes to her healing waters. Temperance is a magician in her own right, molding and weaving together elements to make something beautiful, resilient, and strong. She takes her task very seriously, and when you stand before her, you will have all of her attention. Having someone this focused on you and your well-being may be new to you, and it could make you feel uncomfortable and exposed. In your very raw state, this level of exposure may make you feel anxious and even slightly paranoid. Temperance is going to see things that you and other people may have missed, such as details and information that will help you navigate your next steps. Therefore, ask her questions, ask her what she sees, ask her for guidance and for words of advice. Ask as many questions as you can think of, because once you leave Temperance behind, her healing magic and her focus will shift to the next person.
Pathwork
Intentional
Temperance is best known for bringing two opposing elements together and making something beautiful and unique with them. This is why she is often referred to as the alchemist. She can basically take something that others would discard or look over and make it something precious and desirable.
Remove the Temperance card from your deck and place it faceup in front of you. Shuffle the remaining cards and ask Temperance what two elements or things she wants you to blend together. Shuffle the cards until you feel ready, then fan them out in front of you. Scan your hand over the cards and select the two cards that either heat up or give off a prickling feeling in your palm. Turn your two cards over and have a look to see what trick Temperance wants you to pull off. You may wish to journal with these cards for a while, as making a recipe for these two cards might take you some time. Just trust that the two cards you have drawn are the correct ones. Do not be tempted to put them back in the deck and try again just because you don’t like the pair you have been given. Remember, Temperance sees things others miss. She knows what ingredients you need. All you have to do is blend them.
Intuitive
Temperance has a long connection to the rainbow. Even in my very own Animal Totem Tarot, we see a flamingo that has a rainbow being formed by the waterfall behind it. In the original Rider-Waite-Smith image, the artist was very heavily influenced by the goddess Iris, who was the personification of the rainbow and was said to be a messenger from God. In today’s spiritual community, you often hear how loved ones have crossed over the rainbow bridge, meaning they have passed away, which is interesting, as Temperance is considered a bridge. Mix Iris and Temperance together, and you have a rainbow bridge crossing from the heavens to the earth plane and back again. This is a wonderful image to meditate on, to see the rainbow as a sort of heavenly conveyor belt. Get yourself comfortable and take a few nice deep breaths. Visualize the answers and solutions to your problems and questions sliding down the rainbow into Temperance’s arms, as she mixes you a drink while you pull up a seat at her spiritual bar. Just picture yourself sipping on something cool and smooth as all of the things you ever wanted come gliding down the rainbow bridge. Know that each sip of the cocktail Temperance has mixed for you is healing your body, calming your mind, and restoring your soul. Take your time with your drink and spend as much time as you want hanging out at Temperance’s bar. When there appears to be nothing left coming down the rainbow bridge, you’ll know it is time to leave. Take a few nice deep breaths, say thank you, and carry on with your day.
Wandering
Temperance lands at number fourteen in the major arcana, between Death and the Devil. Her numbers connect her to the Hierophant, since 1 + 4 = 5. This means we have come to another card that brings change through knowledge and understanding, but this time, instead of it being so rigid and formal, it is more intuitive and experimental. Where the Hierophant likes to keep to a strict and ancient code of conduct, Temperance likes to mix things up. Today as you wander around in Temperance’s shoes, think about how you can change things around and bring some rainbow energy into your daily habit or routine. Consider taking a different way home. Go down to a shopping center or mall that is new to you. Take a new class or even just say a hello to someone you normally walk straight past during the day. Use the fire energy of this card to get into the “doing” mentality of change. The best adventures are had by those who actively step into them. Temperance says, “Now it’s your turn!”
15. The Devil
Demon, temptress, vixen, and scapegoat are just some of the many names that we give to our “get out of jail free,” “blame it on everyone else” card, known in the tarot as the Devil. We like to blame the Devil when things go wrong or when a situation makes us look bad in other people’s eyes. But in reality, the Devil doesn’t make decisions for you, nor does he judge the decisions you do make. If anything, he is an innocent bystander who merely offers up options and alternatives for you to consider. Liking the repercussions of these choices, or deciding whether they are good or bad, is completely irrelevant. The Devil is a results guy, and he does not judge those results. He is not interested in ethics, or morals, or any other man-made judgment. He is just curious to see what happens next. Then again, aren’t we all a bit like this? If you look closely at many depictions of the Devil in the tarot you will see a very familiar couple chained and bound at the Devil’s feet: the Lovers.
The Lovers remind you that you alone made these commitments back at card six. You made your choice, you committed to a path, and now you are paying the price. Nothing is free, everything has a price, and the Devil, being a man of business, is only too happy to come and collect your payment. It may look like the Devil has bound the Lovers, as if he has chained them up to be slaves to their decisions. But in truth they have placed themselves in a subservient position. The Devil is not keeping them there against their will, and if anything, he doesn’t care if they stay or leave. Guilt, shame, and fear root the Lovers to the spot. In many spiritual teachings, guilt, shame, doubt, and fear are considered demons, which is an interesting way to look at the Devil card. You could say that the Devil holds a space for you to face your demons, pay your karmic debts, and clear anything that binds you to the past. In this respect, the Devil is not a captor but a liberator, a healer, and a necessary player on the soul’s path to enlightenment.
Pathwork
Intentional
Have you ever heard the phrase “Devil’s advocate”? This is the person that feels the need to inform you of everything that could possibly go wrong with your ideas or plans. Most people see this as a bad thing; they will tell you they don’t want to give it “energy” or waste mind space on it. I am a big fan of the Devil’s advocate. Seriously, I want someone to tell me how it could all go horribly wrong. I want to know the worst thing that could happen so I can release my fear. Fear is a weird and wobbly thing, and not knowing, in my opinion, is far worse than knowing. For as they say, the Devil is in the details. So today, look at those details, all of them. Sit with these possibilities in your meditation, and see them unfold as a passive observer. Don’t allow yourself to attach to any of the emotions that bubble up as a result; just watch and learn. Take a few nice deep breaths and hold space for your personal Devil to show up in your meditation. Sit with your Devil and ask what you are missing that could come back to cause you pain and suffering later. Really listen to what your Devil has to say. Remember to breathe through this dialogue and don’t react to it. Just take the information. Once your Devil is done giving you the insider’s tour to everything that can and possibly will go wrong with your current problem, goal, or project, open your eyes and jot it all down in your journal. These small details will make a huge difference moving forward.