Tree of Life: Geburah into Hod – Path 23
Planet: Neptune
Number: 12
Hebrew Letter: Mother letter “Mem”
Motto:
Light: transformation, spiritual awareness, surrender, initiation, wisdom, enlightenment
Shadow: discipline, punishment, challenges
Key Themes of The Hanged Man Thoth Card
The Hanged Man in the Thoth Tarot deck is a profound symbol of transformation, spiritual awareness, and the cycle of life and death. This card represents the formula of the dying god, the concept of being born one way, undergoing a significant death, and being reborn as a higher version of oneself. It’s about recognizing our absolute truth and understanding our place in the universe.
The Hanged Man is also associated with the idea of enforced sacrifice, discipline, and punishment. It signifies initiation through surrender, a process of letting go to achieve a higher state of consciousness.
The Fool's Lesson from The Hanged Man
Walking along his path, The Fool encounters a surprise. He is shocked to find a man hung from his feet by what appears to be a golden ankh. The Fool becomes panicked with fear until reaching the courage to ask who he is. The Hanged Man begins explaining why he is hanging upside down.
He teaches The Fool that he is actively surrendering to his mind, body, and spirit, in pursuance of reaching higher consciousness. The Fool then follows his teachings by finding a nearby tree to hang from. In this hanging state, The Fool suddenly finds his mind quiet and his body still. Although he seems to be uncomfortable, The Fool is filled with serenity, knowing that soon he will reach the embodiment of higher consciousness.
Joe’s Divine Guidance: The Hanged Man in a Tarot Reading
Upright
The Hanged Man upright suggests a need for patience and self-reflection. It’s time to let go, change your perspective, and prepare for personal growth. You might need to sacrifice something now for a greater gain later.
Reversed
When reversed, the Hanged Man indicates resistance to change or a fear of letting go. You might be stuck in indecision or avoiding necessary sacrifices. It’s a call to open your mind and embrace new possibilities.
Mystical Symbolism: Decoding The Hanged Man's Symbols
Ankh: Symbolizes life, the completion of the spiritual journey, and connection to divine wisdom.
Serpent linked to Ankh: Represents divine wisdom, the logos, and the intimate connection between human life and divine will.
Light of Kether: Suggests God’s infinite love for creation.
Green Air: Represents the influence of love (Venus).
Man’s Body Shape: Symbolizes the entry of light into darkness, with the cross representing matter and the triangle symbolizing the Holy Trinity.
Nails in Hands: Shaped like the letter Vau, indicating the man’s role as a transmitter of spirituality.
Green Disks and Nails: Symbolize love and will, indicating the man’s actions are driven by love and spiritual impulse.
Serpent in Malkuth: Represents the lowest form of creation, contained within a womb-like shape.
Black Waters of Womb: Symbolize the birth of form.
Serpent Coiled 4 Times: Represents new life through spiritual release.
18 Rays: Symbolizes life (Chai in Hebrew), indicating the infusion of spiritual light into matter.
Grid of Small Dark Squares: Represents the combination of the four elements that create life, with the man’s crossed legs symbolizing spiritual restraint.
Path 23 on the Tree of Life: Geburah into Hod
On the Tree of Life, The Hanged Man signifies the path from Geburah to Hod. This path represents the flow of challenges and sacrifices from Geburah, the sphere of severity and justice, into Hod, the sphere of thought and intellect. It’s a journey of transformation, where the trials and tribulations of Geburah are processed and understood in Hod, leading to wisdom and enlightenment.
The Hanged Man Hebrew Letter - Mem
The Hanged Man is associated with the Hebrew mother letter “Mem,” which symbolizes water. Water is seen as the first reflection observed by humans, the amniotic fluid of our birth, and our evolutionary origins in the sea.
As a passive element, water represents the extreme passivity embodied by The Hanged Man. Mem signifies the source of water, liquids, and solids, symbolizing the primal waters from which all life originated.
Astrology Insights: The Hanged Man's Associations
In astrology, The Hanged Man is associated with Neptune, the planet of subjectivity, dreams, and intuition. Neptune’s influence brings a sense of mystery and depth to The Hanged Man, enhancing its spiritual and transformative themes. This association encourages introspection and the exploration of the subconscious, aligning with the card’s themes of self-sacrifice and spiritual awakening.