Wheel of Change Tarot
created by Alexandra Gennetti
Published by Destiny Books, 1997
ISBN #0-89281-609-0

The Book says: The image of the Hanged Man shows the solar king turned on his head, ready to being the journey back to the darkness he has come from. The Hanged Man symbolizes the sacrifice of the sun’s light at midsummer, when the long hours of daylight are beginning to slip away. When interpreting this card in a reading, think first about the aspect of reversal in this card. The sun has turned the corner and is beginning the downhill part of his travels. You may have reached a turning point in your life or in one particular aspect of it. However, the appearance of this cad in a reading does no mean that you are “over the hill”. After examining this aspect of the card, look also at the sacrifice required to make the turning, for no transformation will occur without this sacrifice. Examine the nature of sacrifice in your life: what kinds of sacrifices have you made of your own time or energy in order to make changes? Perhaps by giving up something at this time you may be able to take the downhill path towards the change you have been wanting. This card implies such a crossroads; you are at a point of change, but you must let go of something or this change will not take you to the retuning path. Focus clearly on the turning point; the journey and the sacrifice will seem like a clear and unavoidable choice.

TarotBroad’s Buzz: The Hanged Man is naked and exposed, stretching towards whatever awaits him. He is calm and centered, understanding the necessity of this sacrifice and appreciating the fact that this is part of the cycle – sacrifice and rebirth, release and regeneration. He accepts and embraces his role in the cycle. This card is a reminder that we all go through these types of phases in our life. But in addition, the Hanged Man forces us to stop long enough to consider our options and reflect upon our life up to now.

He is fully connected to the natural cycles of the cosmos and appreciates his importance in this cycle. But he has voluntarily put himself in this position; he can release himself at any time.

To me this card speaks of leashed power and strength, the ability to subsume our own personal desires and goals for the greater good of our world. It is the contained energy present in the seed just before it bursts and begins sprouting. Yes, this card is about sacrifice but it is also about untapped potential and unlimited possibilities. All we need to remember is that we can achieve our goals and our potential as long we are willing to release ourselves and drop the past behind us like a discarded skin. Like a snake, now is the time to shed the useless things we’ve been carrying and allow ourselves to move forward in our new, fresh skin.