The understanding of the Inverse Hanged Man came in a flash. Once I was able to describe the feels he was giving me, I saw him clap his hands like a teacher proud of his student. He placed his card between my fingers and surrendered to it before I could even begin to speak.
Unlike the other cards so far, he held his own. We sat across from each other at a nondescript table. He emanated feelings and concepts and emotional responses while tapping his card steadily and punctually on the table.
I struggled to put those sensations into words that I could communicate to others. That was important to him, not that I understood, but that I could share that understanding.
He was annoyed by references to indecision, liminal spaces, and boundaries. His was a bloody card, as the sticky noose digging into his neck testified. Over and over his anger at being falsely accused and unfairly punished for another person’s crimes kept interrupting our more intellectual reflections.
I had assumed the spirits of this deck were created. I am now wondering otherwise.
He is a traitor to another man’s ideals. He has lost his own in the unfair assignment. Knowing someone else understands his situation has given him a moment of peace.
Let’s hope that peace continues.