The Hanged Man Tarot Card and the Journey Through Perimenopause
Finding Balance and Perspective During Life's Transition
I have been experiencing perimenopause for a long time. And I will be 50 next year, and the symptoms are more apparent as time goes on.
I am talking about hot flashes, insomnia, mood swings, very unpredictable and weird cycles, and you name it.
Fortunately, I am on HRT, which has helped with the hot flashes, and I have had to take sleep meds for a while, so that helps me sleep.
And it is so easy to get angry about this phase, but what is the point? It is guaranteed to happen at some point if you are a woman.
So, I may as well compare the menopause experience to the Hanged Man tarot card.
Perimenopause and the Hanged Man Tarot Card
Perimenopause is a metamorphic transitional period in a woman's life, rather like turning the pages of a thick chapter of life steeped in physical, emotional, and spiritual awakenings.
Curiously, the imagery and symbolism of the Hanged Man tarot card seem to be evocative of this transition.
The Hanged Man, frequently misconstrued as a card of delay and standstill, can be viewed again as a card of deep personal growth and realization equal to the path taken through perimenopause.
The Hanged Man conventionally depicts a person upside down, usually from a tree, in a position that feels like one of surrender.
Upon immediate observation, this might feel undesirable and mirror emotions common to the turbulence and unrest accompanying perimenopause.
Yet, deeper in meaning, this card represents a change in perspective and invites us to look at things differently, manifesting new life in our journey.
Just as the Hanged Man hangs in a state of inverted contemplation, so perimenopause invites women to reconsider identity, priorities, and life's meaning.
The Suspension and Letting Go
Without a doubt, one of the strongest messages from the Hanged Man is that of suspension and the art of letting go.
Many women undergo times of radical life change throughout perimenopause.
It happens both internally through hormonal shifts and also externally in their relationships and roles.
As hormones fluctuate, so too do the emotions and perceptions of self that force a reconsideration of what was previously normal or stable.
This point of limbo is again dramatized in the suspension of the Hanged Man. It allows space for the redefinition of identity away from physical youthfulness and conventional feminine roles.
In such a vein, perimenopause becomes a liberation from societal expectations toward the development of wisdom and authenticity.
It is about letting go of control.
The Hanged Man hangs gracefully, despite the unsettling nature of life. By doing so, he catches newfound glimpses of one's unconscious depths.
A Change in Perspective
In tarot readings, the Hanged Man often foreshadows the change in perspective-a necessary pause that nurtures reflection.
Similarly, perimenopause challenges women to reconsider their priorities and ambitions in life.
Indeed, with the decline in fertility and the approach of menopause comes a symbolic close to one chapter and the founding of another journey.
This transition often engenders introspection, letting go of past burdens, and viewing life through a rejuvenated lens.
By embracing the shift in perspective heralded by the Hanged Man, women can harness the power of perimenopause to delve deeper into the self.
This stage in life becomes a time to reflect on values, aspirations, and true fulfillment.
It is a time to reemphasize self-care, with attention being paid to well-being during this changing time.
Embracing Discomfort for Growth
The Hanged Man teaches the acceptance of discomfort for growth-a very important lesson in navigating perimenopause.
Symptoms such as hot flashes, mood swings, and sleep disturbances during this stage can be overwhelming.
Yet, as with the imagery of this card, it urges one to stand in an upside-down position.
Perimenopause dares women to receive their power from a place of discomfort.
Coping with these physical and emotional changes requires patience and, importantly, self-compassion.
By commemorating these changes rather than resisting them, a woman can transition through perimenopause with grace.
This approach can turn the experience into a period of enlightenment, rather than suffering.
Discomfort becomes the channel for personal development, creativity, and new-awakened passions that may have lain dormant.
Spiritual Enlightenment and Intuition
Further underlining its relevance, the Hanged Man is often related to spiritual enlightenment.
Likewise, perimenopause can be a time of developing a keen sense of intuition for many women.
During this phase, they often gain deeper insights into their spirituality.
They also feel a stronger sense of interconnection with the universe.
This is a period of spiritual growth in which introspection and pursuit of meaning become imperative.
In light of this, perimenopause is not just a biological passage but a spiritual rite of passage that leads women to awaken on a spiritual level and to tap into their inner source of power.
Similar to how the Hanged Man represents insight gained from looking at the world from a different perspective.
Perimenopause encourages one to draw upon internal wisdom and intuition, fostering a stronger connection to the spiritual self.
Surrender and Transformation
The Hanged Man is the card of surrender, reflecting in its meaning the inevitable change of perimenopause.
To surrender in this context is not about weakness but strength. To accept the natural order of life, a matriarchal acceptance of change and wisdom mirroring the seasons.
This surrender is thus the beginning of transformation—a rebirth into a maturity phase realized with freedom and possibility.
The women, much like the Hanged Man, may seek out practices to facilitate such a transformation.
These practices might include meditation, yoga, or creative pursuits. These activities enhance the process of unfolding into the next stage in life.
Fullness and New Beginning
Finally, the Hanged Man is the precursor of new beginnings- a transitional phase, so to speak, just like perimenopause.
In women's passage into menopause, the end of one phase ushers at the beginning of another, liberating and refocused on personal goals.
This climax enveloped in acceptance and insight, develops more self-awareness, paving the way for new experiences and artistic expressions.
In short, by embracing the lessons of the Hanged Man during perimenopause, women can transform this unpredictable and frequently difficult phase.
It can become one of deep growth and freedom.
The Hanged Man, a historical tarot figure rich in meaning, encourages reevaluating life's priorities.
He promotes embracing spiritual illumination. Ultimately, he endorses transformation that brings new strength and awareness.
Through the eyes of the Hanged Man, perimenopause is not a deterrent to vitality but a powerful transformation toward rediscovery and reinvention.
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Great interpretation of this card! Not just because it resonates (haha!) but because it is so helpful to relate the cards to incidents and stages in our own lives to deeply know them.
Thank you for this xx