Breeding (selective reproductive strains) was learned by the early Humans from observing and experimenting with animals and plants. They easily observed that the "best" produced like, and that many of the desired traits could be passed on if the breeding was controlled.
Death was seen as an exit from this World (just as birth had been an entrance). It seemed logical to assume that the one who died was returning to where they had been before they were born. Death was seen as migration.
In the "other world" the sacrificial messenger was delivered to the Gods to speak on behalf of the Clans needs. It was also believed that this person would return to the Clan as a "Savior" and help deliver them from the problems of this World, and to secure a place for them in the next World. This is why in the Descent of the Goddess (Myth) we read "...you must return again at the same time and at the same place as the loved ones. And you must meet, and know, and remem- ber, and love them again..." This is the major rendering of this passage, but there is another.
In the Descent Myth we find a passage referring to "three great mysteries in the Life of Man". These mysteries are also connected to the Divine Sacrificial King Mythos. The three great mysteries are Birth, Death, and Rebirth. The Descent Myth tells us that "love controls them all". The Myth goes on to say "...but to be reborn, you must die, and be made ready for a new body. And to die you must be born, and without love, you may not be born". This was, in part, instructional for the person who was being sacrificed, but it also pertained to the Populace as a Whole. Without the bonds of love between this world and the next, there can be no interaction (either between individuals or gods). Yet, this Mythos is also connected with that of the Hanged Man (who was the Hooded Man).
The Hooded Man was the Guardian of the Sacred Grove at Nemi (where he was called Rex Nemorensis, the King of the Woods). This enigmatic character embodies the idea of new life springing out of death, and he also brings the creative power of the Tree Spirit of the Sacred Grove, to the People. The Mythos of the Hooded Man can be seen in many Cultures. In various parts of Europe he is known by many names: The Green Man, Jack-in-the- green, Jack-in-the-bush, Robin Goodfellow, Robyne of the Woods, and Robin o'the Hood. The position known as the Hanged Man, stems from that of the Hooded Man. He is the symbol of Self Sacrifice for the good of the Whole. The Key to under- standing the Hanged Man lies in the fact that he is "enlightened" as hangs upon the Tree.
The title of the "Hanged Man" means, in an occult sense, "suspen- ded mind" because "man" and "mind" are from the sanskrit root (used by early occultists). The title refers also to the utter dependence of Human personality upon the Cosmic life. He hangs now as a co-worker with the Divine, having placed his own Ego out of the way of the Divine inflow. Only in this way can he attain the Higher Conscious- ness, and become useful to his People. The sacred tree of the grove represents the bridge to the other worlds, and it is the Consciousness which "hangs" upon the tree, which serves to unify Humankind with the Divine.
The mental attitude suggested by the Hanged Man, then, is "Not my Will, but Thine". This is ever the position of the Adept, as, indeed, it is the position of every person who works in any field of applied science. It is an illusive, personal thing which is but the reflec- tion, or mask, of "Thy Will", which is the purpose or motive of the Cosmic Life - a Will absolutely free, and certain to be realized.
Design & Graphics© 1997-1999 Catherine B. Hicks, Starweaver Creations/Cyberpanic Web Design. All rights for the work remain with the authors as stated. All rights reserved. Copying this page without permission is a violation of United States copyright laws.