The Hanged Man

I wove a cocoon around myself, and from that moment my life seemed to stop flowing. The painful inner transformation and difficult growth did not take away my breath. I am gambling, hoping that at the moment I spread my wings I can gain true freedom. I am about to transform into my true self.

The Hanged Man’s path of growth is never easy. This pain is best not avoided because it will chase after you again and again, urging you to complete this “life lesson.” Those who refuse or lack the strength to transform stop growing and stop breathing. This card is indeed related to sacrifice — it may be time, freedom, familiar routines, or any important aspect of one’s life. Without sacrifice, the Hanged Man cannot complete the lesson nor transform into a “butterfly,” gaining inner freedom. The butterfly’s wings are not yet fully spread. The morning dew symbolizes a new day and a new beginning. In short: I will embrace a new life and a new beginning with renewed spirit and form. The shrub behind symbolizes fearlessness, perseverance, and eternity.

You may need to abandon or give up something important in order to grow. The upright Hanged Man is rarely pleasant because for many people, carefree ignorance is preferable to painful clarity. If the Hanged Man gives someone a harsh awakening, would they be happy? Yet in its upright form, it is easier to identify the root of the problem and deepen contemplation. Whether change is made afterward is another matter.

Keywords: Facing difficulties, sacrifice, enduring pain, helplessness, exploring the unknown, physical or bodily limitations, spiritual studies, karma, rebirth, hardship.

The reversed card is equally uncomfortable. It can represent wounds from long ago that continue to influence decisions in adulthood. For example, a childhood conflict that brought pain may cause someone to avoid confrontation in adulthood, fearing that the same pain will return. Even if the situation is different, the feeling resurfaces instantly. One may deliberately blind themselves to avoid addressing or facing what is within, temporarily relieving pressure but never truly resolving it.

Keywords: Temporary rest, a better option, stepping away, difficulty with introspection, inner struggle, intentional avoidance, escapism, refusal to acknowledge.