Key 12, The Hanged Man: The Stable Intelligence. Reversal.

Location: Library of St Mark’s Church. 5415 SE Powell Blvd, Portland, Or 97206
Arriving at St Mark's Church: Please enter from the north parking lot, behind the church, at the door nearest the parking lot. Look for signs saying “BOTA Meeting.”
If the door is locked, ring the white doorbell and someone will let you in.
Take the first stairway up to the 2nd floor and the meeting space will be the first door on your left. If you need an elevator, ring the doorbell and someone will lead the way.

Topic: Key 12, The Hanged Man. The Stable Intelligence. Reversal.
Our focus this month is on Key 12, The Hanged Man, which primarily points to Reversal and the suspension of ordinary perspective. At first glance this is an uncomfortable image; a figure hanging upside down from a living tree. But Jason Lotterhand would probably tell us not to be too quick to cut him down. The Hanged Man is not a victim. He got there voluntarily, and that makes all the difference. What looks like defeat from the outside is, in this Key, the very posture of illumination.
The Hebrew letter Mem and the element of Water run through everything here. Water does not force its way, it yields. It finds the lowest place, and in doing so it gets where it's going. The reversal depicted in Key 12 is that kind of intelligence: not the grasping, upright logic of ordinary mind, but the receptive awareness that comes when we stop insisting on our usual angle of vision. The world looks genuinely different when you're hanging from your heels, and that's precisely the point.
We will begin with a presentation of a reading on Key 12 from Jason Lotterhand's book The Thursday Night Tarot. This will be followed by a group discussion of what struck us in the examination of this key, and perhaps how we might practice a little voluntary reversal, turning things upside down to see what we've been missing in our daily lives. We will close with a meditation on the Hebrew letter Mem from The Book of Tokens.

Optional Supplemental Material:

• Attendees may wish to listen to Ann Davies’ lecture on Key 12 posted on youtube by B.O.T.A. New Zealand.
• For those unable to obtain a copy of The Thursday Night Tarot, but would like to read the chapters, it is possible to borrow a digital copy online here. You will also find recorded lectures by Jason Lotterhand available here. Please note, you may be required to create an account to access the book.

For those who are able, please feel free to bring snacks you would like to share with the group. Please be mindful of food allergies and consider bringing options which are gluten free and dairy free to ensure there is something for everyone.

If you have any questions or require any additional accommodations, please contact Alec: [botapdx@gmail.com](mailto:botapdx@gmail.com)