The Hanged Man

To see a mountain no longer as a mountain, or water as water

In the original Rider-Waite deck, the Hanged Man’s pose is quite intriguing—it resembles the alchemical symbol for lapis lazuli († above, ▽ below), a catalyst said to transmute base materials into something precious. I believe this corresponds well with the meaning of the Hanged One: the world hasn’t changed, but the Hanged One has; their state of being is rising to a new level. This symbolic structure is used in the illustration.

The Neptune symbol ♆ is subtly embedded in the artwork. Both the Hanged One and Neptune share associations with “sacrifice.” Neptune also signifies fantasy, inspiration, and spiritual pursuit—qualities that resonate with the Hanged One’s situation: even in hardship, they emit spiritual radiance.

A solitary floating island symbolizes the Hanged One’s helplessness, yet also their sublimation. Though rootless, the island ascends; though hands are bound, they reach toward a faint light. When the sun fully rises, those hands will shine with brilliance.

Corresponding Planet:: Neptune (imagination, dreams, inspiration, compassion, sacrifice, confusion, and intuition)

UPRIGHT

Meaning: sacrifice, introspection, new perspectives, non-materialism, dilemma, difficulty, growth through trials, pause, delay, forced surrender, reflection, independent thought, time is needed, perseverance pays off, enlightenment, patience

REVERSED

Meaning: unable to gain new perspective, broken hopes, delay, resistance, procrastination, tug-of-war, selfishness, self-destruction, stubbornness, fear of change, shirking responsibility, lack of motivation, regression, mental block, baseless worry, hesitance, misunderstanding, wasted effort

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