THE HANGED MAN

Inversion – Perspective
Paralysis – Desperation

In the image, a man hangs upside down, bound by both feet, with his arms free. His paradoxical position forces him to observe the world from an inverted viewpoint. With some iconographic variations—a bent free leg or two sacks of coins in his hands—this card was already present in 15th-century tarot decks under a different name: The Traitor. Being hung in this way was, in fact, the punishment imposed by several European political authorities on traitors, symbolically equivalent to the crucifixion in ancient Rome.

This historical fact, however, is largely forgotten today. Jungulus Amator is based on a Jung’s insight which claims that a symbol means what humanity attributes to it. Humanity no longer knows that, in 15th-century Italy, traitors were hung upside down by one foot. What it does know, or can intuitively understand, is what it feels like to be suspended in this position, and the physical, emotional, and metaphorical sensations that arise and therefore this is the meaning the card assumes in this deck.

The Hanged Man therefore represents a necessary inversion, a pause imposed or chosen, which may appear as paralysis but opens up new perspectives. Blood flows to the head, the mind is stimulated by an unusual vision, and frustration can be intense: you are in suspension, called to observe and understand without being able to act immediately.

So, dear person, if your subconscious has chosen this card, perhaps it wants to tell you that:

If the card speaks about you – Light

You are experiencing a moment in which change requires suspension and observation. You cannot act as you would like, but this pause is not a punishment: it is an opportunity to see what previously eluded you. The inversion allows you to perceive reality from new perspectives, discover invisible details, and develop a deeper understanding.

Questions for you
– What are you seeing only now that you are still?
– What new perspective can emerge from your suspension?
– How can this inversion enrich your vision?

If the card speaks about you – Shadow

Paralysis can turn into frustration or desperation. Perhaps you feel trapped by external or internal circumstances, unable to move as you wish. The Hanged Man in shadow points to a blockage that can become unnecessary suffering if not observed consciously. The feeling of being imprisoned is real, but it also indicates areas where patience or inner change is needed.

Questions for you
– In what ways are you allowing yourself to be stifled?
– Where do you perceive a blockage preventing you from acting?
– Are you waiting too long, or avoiding a necessary decision?

If the card speaks about the world – Light

The world around you may be in a phase of suspension that carries meaning. Even if everything seems slowed or blocked, this time allows important changes to mature. Observing carefully what is happening can offer valuable insights: change is underway, even if invisible.

Questions for you
– What signals is the world offering from an unusual perspective?
– How can external suspension generate new possibilities?
– What can you grasp by patiently observing what occurs around you?

If the card speaks about the world – Shadow

The external context may feel oppressive or restrictive. Rules, obligations, and structures may hold back your freedom, making the suspension feel like imprisonment. The Hanged Man in shadow highlights situations where immobility is imposed and the possibility of seeing clearly is obstructed.

Questions for you
– How is the world around you holding you back?
– Which external structures limit your freedom to act?
– Where do you feel the environment prevents your potential from emerging?