The Tarot of Eli, LLC-Major Arcana: Thoth-ATU XII-The Hanged Man & The Medieval Feathers Tarot-Key 12- The Hanged Man.

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Above all things, know thyself!

The Spirit of the Mighty Waters.

The Thoth-Hanged man is a curious image of Medieval severity called "baffling" and its implications are quite different from the previous paths that connect the Personality and the Higher Self; Severity, because this is the Hebrew Letter-Mem; The Path of Mem (Meaning-Water) that connects Hod (Splendor) and Geburah (Severity) on the Pillar of Severity (left side of Tree).

The Hebrew letter-MEM, (Water) is one of the three Maternal letters, and implies a Baptism in Maternal Waters), as the other two: The Path of Shin (Art) is a baptism in Fire, and The Path of Aleph-The Fool, is a baptism in Air. Of all these three Baptisms, the Baptism of Water (Intuitional emoting Consciousness) is the central and pivotal experience of the entire Qabalistic Tree of Life.

Consciousness is the Alchemical First Principle, also called the Thinking Principle and is referred to the physical image of Water because it is like water in wave motion, and fluid flow (The liquid light Astral Plane of Mind). The lowest expression of the First Principle is first found, by the upward/inward traveling aspirant, as the Astral Fluid- light of consciousness is drawn down the Path of the Universe into Yesod, (the Moon) the Foundation Sephiroth (Subconsciousness). This Thinking Principle, the Astral Fluid, is found as the Stable Intelligence, by virtue of consistency in all Sephiroth and Paths as it underlies everything that is. Here, let me explain further.

What I've previously written is a profound Hermetic insight deserving deep exploration. Let's expand and refine it into a full metaphysical blog-style elucidation — suitable for your master teachings or grimoire:

Consciousness as the Alchemical First Principle — The Fluidic Mind of Creation

In Western Hermetic Qabalah and Alchemy, Consciousness is not a product of the brain nor merely an emergent property of biological life — it is the First Principle. This foundational force precedes all manifestation. It is the Thinking Principle, the initial emanation from Kether, the Crown of the Tree of Life, and serves as the primordial matrix from which thought, form, and function are drawn.

Water: The Elemental Analogue of Consciousness

The ancients likened this First Principle to Water, not only because of its reflective qualities, but more importantly because of its fluidic, wave-like motion — echoing the vibratory nature of mind itself. Thought is not static. It ripples. It flows. In Hermetic terms, the Astral Plane — the World of Yetzirah — is known as the Liquid Light Realm, a sea of undulating mental substance formed by the operations of the psyche. It is here that the tides of consciousness begin to take shape as images, symbols, desires, and intentions.

In Qabalistic Alchemy, this is Astral Water, not inert liquid, but conscious substance. It is not material water, but a symbol of transmission, adaptation, and reflection. This is the fluid medium of the inner universe — a morphogenic substrate through which all forms arise before they solidify in Malkuth (the physical world).

Yesod-the 9th Sephiroth – The Lunar Gate of the Fluidic Mind

As the aspirant ascends or descends the Tree of Life, they meet the First Principle in a more condensed and psychically accessible form: in Yesod, the Sphere of the Moon. It is here that the Astral Fluid condenses, becoming the Mirror of the Mind, and the subconscious reservoir of images and impressions.

Yesod is the Foundation not because it is material — it is not — but because it is the dream-field of all manifestation, the psychic loom upon which materiality is woven. From here, the First Principle (Consciousness) becomes reflectively aware of itself. Yesod, ruled by Luna, governs rhythmic cycles, tides, instincts, and imaginal creation. In this way, Yesod is both receptive and projective — it absorbs vibrations from above (Hod/Netzach and beyond) and pulses them downward into Malkuth.

In the alchemical metaphor, this is where Mercurial Water (fluidic consciousness) begins to coagulate into the Philosopher’s Stone — the stabilized awareness of the adept.

The Astral Fluid: The Stable Intelligence

The Astral Fluid is referred to as the Stable Intelligence (as attributed to the 32nd Path in the Sefer Yetzirah), not because it is unmoving, but because it is foundational, ever-present, and consistent across the spectrum of existence. This paradox is key: what seems most mutable — like water or emotion — is also the most essential and reliable substratum of consciousness.

This "Stable Intelligence" underlies all paths and Sephiroth because it is the subconscious ether connecting them. Every path traversed by the aspirant flows upon this Astral Fluid. Each symbol, Tarot Key, planetary force, or elemental spirit arises upon this wave of thought-consciousness — for thought is the fabric of the Inner Worlds, and the Astral Plane is the woven tapestry.

The Path of Tav — The Universe and Astral Descent

The Tarot Key The Universe (ATU XXI), corresponding to the 32nd Path (Tav), illustrates the descent of the Spirit into Form. It is through this Path that the Astral Light — the fluidic First Principle — condenses into Yesod. From here, the aspirant experiences the first contact with subconscious reality, and hence begins the magnum opus of transmutation.

This Path also represents the veil between the microcosmic and macrocosmic self. It is through meditation on this current — the Astral Sea — that the aspirant rises to direct conscious operation of the fluidic light.

Practical Implications for the Aspirant

To work with the First Principle as Astral Fluid:

• Meditate on Yesod and The Moon (ATU XVIII) to understand how images in your psyche originate and how they are transmitted.

• Visualize your consciousness as a liquid mirror, observing how thoughts ripple across its surface.

• In ritual, invoke the Astral Light as a conscious, flowing medium. This is the basis of true magic: to shape the Astral Fluid by Will and project it into Malkuth.

• Use Tarot Key XXI, The Universe, as a pathworking guide to draw consciousness up from Yesod to the awareness of Kether by reversing the flow.

Conclusion: Consciousness is the River of Becoming

Consciousness, as the Alchemical First Principle, is not merely a tool. It is the Great Work in motion. It is the River of Becoming, flowing through the Sephiroth and shaping reality by the reflections it casts upon itself. The Astral Fluid is both the substance and symbol of this sacred current — a liquid light undulating across the inner cosmos. The Wise learn to ride its waves.

As stated in the Emerald Tablet of Hermes:

“Its force is above all force, for it vanquishes every subtle thing and penetrates every solid thing.”

That force is consciousness in wave, the primal Water of the mind, the matrix of magic, and the true mirror of the Divine within.

The Descent of the Solar Soul: The Hanged Man as the Baptism of the Divine Self in Maternal Waters

The Hanged Man — ATU XII in the Thoth Tarot and likewise in the Medieval Feathers Tarot — is no ordinary suspension. This archetype encapsulates a cosmic rite: the deliberate self-sacrifice of the Soul, or Solar Self, into the Maternal Waters of the Unconscious — not as punishment or suffering, but as the initiation into gnosis through inversion.

The Downward Head: Symbol of Reversal and Revelation

In both the Thoth and Medieval Feathers decks, the Hanged Man is depicted with his head pointing downward, inverting the normal order of physical orientation. This is not merely a gesture of helplessness or punishment as often misunderstood in the exoteric traditions. Rather, this inversion signifies a mystical reversal of perception. It is the esoteric process of descending the Tree of Life — of Spirit entering Matter — and the experience of being “turned around” in the womb of the Great Mother in order to be reborn.

Here the Solar Self — the Tipharethic Center — sacrifices its heavenly vantage to plunge into the unconscious waters of Form and Feeling. It drowns, not in death, but in the depths of Immanence, so that it may know itself not as detached light, but as light within the womb of darkness — as the seed of Divinity gestating in the Maternal Abyss.

Maternal Waters: The Great Sea of Binah and Collective Unconscious

These "Maternal Waters" are the Astral Sea, the Great Ocean of Binah, the Supernal Mother — and at a microcosmic level, they are also the fluid depths of Yesod, the subconscious where images and impressions rise and fall like moonlit tides. The Soul, upon its descent, is submerged in this vast inner ocean — which we may also correlate with Jung’s concept of the Collective Unconscious.

This is the phase of forgetting — kenosis, or the emptying of self — wherein the Soul forgets its true origin so that it might rediscover it from within manifestation, not apart from it. The image of the Hanged Man conveys this alchemical stage of dissolution (solve) where the identity of the Self is “melted down” in the waters of the Divine Feminine — the Cauldron of Transmutation.

Self-Perception and the Need for Self-Awareness

What emerges is a profound paradox. The Solar-Soul, in descending, begins to perceive itself as distinct, yet never separate from the Whole. It is an individuated flame within the Sun of Universal Mind — still the One, but now aware of its local identity. This is the soul’s birth into dual consciousness: to be both human and divine, to be both wave and particle in the Astral Ocean.

In this suspended state, the Soul enters a chrysalis phase. It cannot move forward until it fully surrenders — until it recognizes that its true power does not lie in assertion, but in yielding to the deeper current of becoming. This is why the Hanged Man is the Archetype of Enlightened Suspension — not stuckness, but stillness; not death, but gestation; not defeat, but transcendence through surrender.

The Mystical Implication: Baptism in the Womb of Time

This hanging is a baptism, not in holy water but in the waters of space-time itself. The Soul is baptized not to be purified from sin, but to be initiated into the deep laws of incarnate wisdom. It chooses to be “hung” on the Tree — not of death, but of Life — so that through experience, it might gain the sacred wound of consciousness: the realization that to be is to remember the divine through the veil of the human.

Just as Odin hung upon the World Tree, pierced and inverted, to gain the Runes of Power, so too does the Soul surrender its egoic crown to drink from the Chalice of the Dark Goddess — to be rewoven into the fabric of Becoming.

The Alchemical Insight: From Solve to Coagula

This entire process is the solve of the Great Work. The Solar Self dissolves its higher clarity to immerse in the lower depths. But it does not remain disintegrated. From this inversion and fluid dissolution, it eventually arises as the Magus Reborn, now fused with experience, gnosis, and self-awareness.

Thus, the Hanged Man bridges the polarity of Above and Below, Spirit and Matter, Soul and Personality. He is not dead. He is becoming.

Conclusion: The Soul Inverted to Find Itself

The image of the Hanged Man with head downward teaches us that the path to true self-awareness is not upward ascension alone, but also a deliberate descent into the dark, into the feminine, into the unknown parts of our being. It is the Solar-Self immersing in the Moon to emerge whole.

The sacrifice is not of life, but of illusion — so that the True "I AM" can be seen even from the depths of the astral womb.

“Only in surrender can the Self be seen.
Only in silence can the Logos speak.
Only in inversion is the light reborn.”

Carl Jung, who coined the phrase, Universal Collective Unconscious, describe this Water of Mem as a"...boundless expanse full of unprecedented uncertainty, with apparently no inside and no outside, no above and no below, no here and no there, no mine and no thine, no good and no bad".

To him the First Principle of the Alchemists was also described as Water, as he also states, "It is the world of water, where all life floats in suspension: where the realm of the sympathetic system, the soul of everything living begins; where I am individually this and that; where I experience the other in myself and the other-than-myself experiences me.....the collective conscious is anything but an encapsulated personal system; it is sheer objectivity, as wide as the world and open to all the world."

I would highly recommend that anyone interested in understanding True Self-awareness reads the works of Carl Jung, on the Universal Collective (Un) Conscious. Thereby gaining a modern understanding of the ancient wisdom. To put it another way, in the state of waking-consciousness we are "always the subject that has an object", a reality that is totally turned around in the Collective Unconscious where we are "the object of every subject", as stated by Carl Jung. In other words, our subjective Self, I AM, becoming objective Self, a "Me", when immersed in the Maternal Waters that coagulate on the Path of Mem.

THE HANGED MAN is where the invisible becomes visible.

The initiate or aspirant knows that we must move constantly upward (inward) on the Paths of the Tree of Life, for only through the hindsight gained by going to a higher Sephiroth/dimension of Mind, can we experience an understanding of the qualities of the lower more condensed Sephiroth.

The Path of Mem leads to the 5th Sephiroth-Geburah (Severity) which is directly above the 6th Sephiroth- Tiphareth (Beauty); Geburah is the Fiery or Active part of the Higher Self and is shown as Red in color; the color of Mars/Aries, the god of War. This further illustrates the point that Geburah is the fiery energy on the Pillar of Water below the 3rd Sephiroth- Binah, as a more severe aspect of the Great Mother.

In the Thoth Tarot card of the HANGED MAN, the Womb of Binah is where the hanging figure's foot is held.; from the oval (egg) of the Egyptian Ankh, which is the cross like symbol (also called the Tau cross) of both Divine Androgyny and Infinity.

The Hanged Man and the Womb of Binah: The Path of Mem and the Alchemy of the Anima-Animus Fusion

In the Thoth Tarot, the ATU XII Hanged Man is a profound key of spiritual alchemy, not of death or punishment, but of reversal, re-absorption, and mystical gestation. The figure is suspended by the foot from the oval womb of the Ankh — the ancient Egyptian symbol of immortality, divine androgyny, and infinite continuity.

This placement is no arbitrary artistic choice. The oval of the Ankh, like the Vesica Piscis, is a yoni-like symbol, representing the Womb of Binah, the Supernal Mother on the Tree of Life — the gateway through which the Soul descends into manifestation and through which it must re-ascend transfigured.

Path of Mem: Descent into the Waters of Form

The Hanged Man is assigned the Hebrew letter Mem (מ), meaning “Water.” It is the Elemental Water path that descends from Geburah (Severity/Power) into Hod (Splendor/Intellect). Here we move from the Will-to-Judgment into the form-shaping domain of Mercurial thought — but this transition requires a drowning. A surrender. A complete reversal of ordinary egoic operation.

The aspirant doesn’t merely walk this path; they are suspended within it.

In earlier stages, the initiate meditates upon symbols, deities, archetypes, and truths perceived as “outside” the self. But upon encountering the Path of Mem, a critical inversion occurs:

The Self becomes the Subject of its own meditation.

This is not self-reflection in a psychological sense — it is the Self beholding itself through the eye of the All. It is the Eye of Horus within the Waters.

The Meditator Becomes the Meditated Upon

At this stage, the ego-personality — the Ruach — surrenders its pursuit of the Higher Self, and instead becomes the vessel through which the Higher Self flows. This reversal is a sacred marriage: the Anima and Animus, the inner masculine and feminine polarities, merge in the stillness of astral suspension.

The "other" that was previously the target of aspiration — the higher, divine image — becomes the indwelling Presence, the overshadowing force. This is not possession — it is Divine Envelopment. The Solar Self, previously remote in Tiphareth, now descends through the Astral Waters of Mem and takes up residence in the surrendered form.

Womb of Binah and the Tau Cross

The Tau Cross of the Ankh upon which the Hanged Man is suspended is a symbol of sacrificial rebirth, sacred and androgynous. The horizontal bar of the Tau represents the maternal plane of form and polarity, while the vertical descent is Spirit — the masculine ray entering into incarnation.

Thus, the cross is crucible, and the Hanged Man is the Solutio stage of the alchemical process — the ego dissolved in the Maternal Waters so that the divine image may be reconstituted.

Binah, as the Supernal Mother, is also the matrix of Time, and here the ego is hung in time — caught between dimensions — until it realizes its timeless essence.

Animus and Anima: The Energetic Polarity of Magic

The fusion of Anima and Animus at this stage is not merely Jungian, but energetic and cosmic. These twin forces, normally flowing unconsciously through time and space, now become conscious within the adept. Their fusion opens the inner Stargate of magical ability, for it aligns the aspirant with the bi-polar current of Divine Creation:

• Animus (Inner Solar Masculine) — Projective, directional Will (Chokmah in the Supernals)

• Anima (Inner Lunar Feminine) — Receptive, formative Intelligence (Binah as the Womb)

When unified in the fluid of Mem, they create the Magical Child, or Savior Self — the androgynous embodiment of the Higher Sensual Self. This is not sensation in the carnal sense, but a higher gnosis through all senses awakened — sight that sees archetypes, hearing that discerns inner voices, and touch that feels energy currents.

The Higher Sensual Self: Birth of the Inner Magus

Once the Hanged Man has yielded, the Personality becomes the Seed-Temple for the Solar Self. This inner marriage births the Magus — not a mask worn by ego, but the Divine Voice and Operator within.

This is why Crowley associates the Hanged Man not with stagnation, but with transformative Will through Surrender. In fact, it is only through this inversion that one acquires true magical ability — for the Magus must be a mirror, not a manipulator.

Conclusion: The Still Waters Where God Is Seen

The Thoth Hanged Man shows us that magic is not conquest but communion. It is not the assertion of will upon the world, but alignment with the hidden currents beneath it. The Tau Cross, the Womb, and the Ankh together reveal the secret:

The path to power is through surrender.
The road to magic is through mystical passivity.
The Divine descends when the self ceases to cling.

When we become the object of our own meditation, the “I” dissolves, and the “I AM” arises.

Hence, if one manifests as "male" (animus) then the Soul, acts as "female" (Anima). It surprises those on the Path of Mem, when they find that the Soul is meditating the real- personality into manifestation and that their Soul shows itself as the opposite sex and the most beloved.

However, this is the hermaphrodite personality that belongs as a representative of the Soul on the Earth Plane of Malkuth and is not the personality you "think" you are. This personality is built to be a Mercury-consciousness, who flies from soul to body and back, with messages from the Higher Self and is not "man-made" nor a product of the "false ego" mind virus seen as the persona/ego of a culture or as a gender.

On the path of Mem, one experiences a unique perspective, a perspective often sought by those who use a crystal pendulum to find inner answers.

The Medieval Feathers Tarot-Key 12-The Hanged Man incorporates the baffled individual with one leg bound with rope tied to a cross bar and two pillars. What is emphasized here is what is going on in this guy's head. Here old thought grooves won't do while new thoughts and perspectives are filling the head with "ah ha" moments for even though he is suspended and awaiting conclusion he is still dancing. He is in a moment of active self-expression and taking advantage of "hanging around" to dance with the dancing tree as if " going with the flow". Hence, the European gold finch feather that reminds us to expand our vision and face the reality we've been avoiding as the past reality ties us down and we aren't going anywhere.

Here a young, indoctrinated person who has left the comfortable home of familiar dogma, is seeing the world upside down to his training. He has found that in this perspective contrary to his indoctrination, he is not who he thought he was.

The banner underneath his head states Le Pendu and/or Perception and is representative of enlightenment and/or an excessively big High intoxication of Samadi! Despite the drastic appearance of this image this is a happy time, much like a yogi in a head stand to clear one's mind. Here one is joyfully enjoying his skill and talent in a "down moment" of silent surrender.

Samadhi is a state of deep meditation and absorption, often associated with yogic practices in Hinduism. It is considered the eighth and final limb of the classical Yoga system outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. Samadhi represents a state of profound spiritual consciousness, where the individual becomes one with the object of meditation or attains a state of union with the divine.

There are several types of Samadhi described in the Yoga tradition. The most mentioned are:

1. Savitarka Samadhi: This is the initial stage of Samadhi, where the mind is still engaged in contemplation and focused on a specific object.

2. Nirvitarka Samadhi: In this stage, the mind reaches a state of absorption without the need for specific thoughts or contemplation. It is a more refined form of Samadhi.

3. Savichara Samadhi: Similar to Savitarka, this stage involves contemplation, but the focus shifts to subtler aspects. It is a state of meditation with subtle reasoning.

4. Nirvichara Samadhi: At this level, the mind transcends contemplation and reasoning, entering a state of pure bliss and awareness without any mental activity.

5. Samprajnata Samadhi: This term is often used to encompass the first two stages, Savitarka and Savichara, where there is still some level of cognitive activity during meditation.

6. Asamprajnata Samadhi: This refers to the latter two stages, Nirvitarka and Nirvichara, where the meditator experiences a state of pure consciousness beyond any cognitive processes.

Samadhi is considered a profound and transformative experience, leading to self-realization and union with the divine. It is an essential aspect of the spiritual journey in Hindu philosophy and is also integrated into various other Eastern spiritual traditions.

In the realm of yoga, practicing headstands, also known as "Sirsasana," holds significance for both physical and spiritual reasons. Here's an explanation of why a yogi might choose to stand on their head:

1. Physical Benefits:

   • Improved Circulation: When you invert your body in a headstand, the flow of blood to the brain increases. This can enhance mental clarity and concentration.
   • Strengthens Core and Upper Body: Maintaining balance in a headstand requires strong core muscles, shoulders, and arms. Regular practice can help build strength in these areas.
   • Stimulates the Lymphatic System: The lymphatic system, which plays a crucial role in immune function, benefits from the reversal of gravity during a headstand, aiding in the removal of toxins and waste from the body.

2. Mental and Emotional Balance:

   • Focus and Concentration: Balancing in a headstand requires intense concentration. Yogis believe that this practice can improve mental focus and mindfulness.
   • Stress Reduction: Inversions like headstands are thought to help calm the mind and reduce stress. The change in perspective can be refreshing and calming.

3. Spiritual and Energetic Aspects:

   • Energy Flow: In yoga philosophy, there are energy centers in the body called "chakras." The crown chakra, associated with higher consciousness, is located at the top of the head. Practicing headstands is believed to stimulate this chakra, promoting spiritual growth and awareness.
   • Connection to the Divine: Some yogis view the headstand as a posture that symbolizes the connection between the individual and the universal consciousness or divine energy. It's seen as a way to align oneself with higher spiritual realms.

It's essential to note that practicing headstands can be physically demanding and should be approached with caution, especially by beginners. Proper alignment, gradual progression, and guidance from an experienced yoga instructor are crucial to avoid injury. Individuals with certain medical conditions, such as neck or back problems, should consult with a healthcare professional before attempting headstands or any other inverted yoga poses.

In summary, a yogi stands on their head not only for the physical benefits, like improved circulation and strength, but also for the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of yoga practice, which include enhanced focus, stress reduction, and a connection to higher consciousness.

Some believe that destiny is the pattern of life we have been born in; However, that is fate and not destiny. The facts are that we can change destiny as we weave our personal web of life experiences. This is called freedom of choice. Our fate is "to be", and that is already achieved, but "what to be" is made of personal choice. As each spider weaves its own patterns in the life stream, so do we as the "I AM" who declares the "Me". This web is called "timelines" (paths we walk), and they are our proof of manifestation and/or time-space mastery. However, we are not alone in our domain for we are Spirit-Mind-Body: an invisible and visible creation of Self.

Here one is reminded that there are times on the path when it is necessary to change perspectives and/or "timelines". There will be epiphanies, often called "Ah-ha" moments, when reversals will bring re-birthing opportunities; being "born again", is simply a change of perspective that baptizes the personality in its flow. Therefore, sacrificing one's position on an issue and looking at it from a different direction may bring enlightenment.

When we encounter a new perspective, we become infused with strength, tenacity, prosperity, and intellectual clarity and thereby change our "life motion" and/or timeline. This clarity comes from the Soul's ability to reveal to us how the elements of our affairs are connected and the end point where the exact answer to a given problem lies before all becomes "written in stone".

However, all of this joy could be profaned by the "false ego" if the expectation of a profound change leads us to imprudent or irresponsible behavior. Thereby, thwarting any sacrifice or change of direction and leading us to self-pity, boredom, or utter helplessness in the face of change. The image of the Hanged Man implies that one is sacrificing something old to gain something new.

The Tarot Key 12- The Hanged/Hanging Man Card is also assigned the planetary influence of Neptune.

In astrology, Neptune is considered one of the outer planets and is associated with various characteristics and influences. Here are some key traits and themes associated with Neptune:

1. Illusion and Fantasy: Neptune is often linked to illusion, delusion, and the world of dreams and fantasies. It can represent a desire to escape reality or a tendency to idealize situations.

2. Imagination and Creativity: On a positive note, Neptune is associated with heightened imagination and creativity. It can inspire artistic expression, spiritual insights, and a connection to the mystical.

3. Spirituality and Mysticism: Neptune is strongly linked to spiritual matters, mysticism, and the transcendental. It encourages a search for deeper meaning and connection with the divine.

4. Sensitivity and Empathy: Neptune is associated with heightened sensitivity and empathy. Individuals with prominent Neptune in their birth chart may be more attuned to the emotions of others and the collective consciousness.

5. Confusion and Deception: The influence of Neptune can sometimes bring confusion, deception, or a lack of clarity. It's important for individuals to be mindful of potential illusions or self-deception.

6. Sacrifice and Idealism: Neptune is connected to themes of sacrifice and idealism. It can inspire a selfless approach to life, where individuals may be willing to make sacrifices for the greater good or pursue higher ideals.

7. Neptunian Glamour: Neptune is often associated with a sense of glamour and enchantment. This can manifest in a fascination with the glamorous or the idealized aspects of life.

8. Oceanic Symbolism: Neptune is symbolically linked to the ocean and its vast depths. This can represent the unconscious mind, emotions, and the mysterious aspects of life.

9. Dissolution and Evasion: Neptune is sometimes associated with a tendency to dissolve boundaries and evade reality. This can manifest as a desire to escape through various means, such as substances or idealized fantasies.

In an astrological birth chart, the placement of Neptune can influence an individual's personality, spirituality, and approach to creativity. The aspects (angular relationships) Neptune forms with other planets also play a significant role in determining its specific impact on an individual's life.

The symbols of the 4 elements

The 23rd Path of Mem, THE HANGED MAN- ATU/Key 12, has a reverse figure on the card that represents the Soul/Solar-Self imposing a complete reversal of perspective which is a suspension of individual consciousness into material manifestation. Much like the reflected image in the mirror, looking at the real non-reflected image that is the object of reflection.

This is, however, a willing suspension, done by a Soul's conscious effort, a type of sacrifice or baptism, where the perspective of "I Am" is suspended in the purity of Mem while its intelligence is suspended in the illusions of the material world, i.e. the ME. This is reversed if the Me meditates upon the inner soul/teacher the "I AM", for then one is sacrificing one’s individual perspectives to the Greater Self- perspective of All. The Thoth and Lost Soul Tarot Hanged Man are shown in a suspected state of Baffling, a type of crucifixion that images the outdated myth of the Dying God. (Dionysus. Osiris, Odin, Christ etc.). However, it is an introspective moment where we realize we are not a body but suspended in one!

This suspension and or crucifixion in space, is what happens when the spinning WHEEL OF FORTUNE, the 10th ATU/Key, and the opposite Path of Caph (the Path between Netzach and Chesed) is willfully arrested by the aspirant. The HANGED MAN is repose, while the WHEEL OF FORTUNE is activity, both of which form a balance that is known as the activity and passivity and/or movement and repose of the ONE THING/SPIRIT. Without counterbalance of movement and repose, manifestation couldn't happen.

Therefore, one of the primary qualities of the HANGED MAN is that it is a Path of eternal probabilities and/or eternal unresolved possibilities. Hence the HANGED MAN is openness without end while THE WHEEL OF FORTUNE, is the exact opposite, as it encloses in eternal motion., i.e. making a limited thought pattern and/or Form. When Mem (Water-consciousness) is closed, it becomes the Ankh (a form of the Tau cross): The Ankh represents Mem reversed.

In Crowley's card of the HANGED MAN, illustrated by Lady Frieda Harris, the figure emphasizes the cross-triangle, and is suspended from the Ankh, being attached to this form of the Tau Cross, by a coiled serpent that symbolizes “the creator and destroyer who operates all change". There is also a lower coiled serpent that represents the effect of the Work of the Divine Creative: As Crowley states in his book of Thoth: "Through his (her) work a Child is begotten, as shown by the Serpent stirring in the Darkness of the Abyss below him."

Crowley, believed that the Hanged Man, as traditionally and historically understood, is an obsolete Tarot image in the New Horus-Aeon Deck of Thoth. He implies that it is an evil legacy and even goes on to compare it to the appendix, an organ in the human body that serves no apparent purpose: This card is beautiful in a strange, immemorial, moribund manner. it is the card of the Dying God; its importance in the pack is merely that of the Cenotaph. [Book of Thoth-Pg. 97]

For those who don't know, a Cenotaph is a term describing a tomb or monument to honor a person whose body is buried somewhere else. 

Pointing downward, the Spirit is seemingly drowned in the Maternal Astral Waters upon perceiving itself as a Soul, as an intrinsic and inseparable part of the One Consciousness. The arms and legs of the upside-down crucified figure make a figure of a cross surmounting a triangle, which according to Crowley signifies " the descent of the light into darkness in order to redeem it." [Book of Thoth, Pg. 96]. Therefore, it is also an image of the *cosmic sacrifice that creates, sustains, and destroys the universe, which is complimentary to the Hindu cosmological view.

*Hindu cosmological view:

Many Hindu philosophies mention that the creation is cyclic.

According to the Upanishads, the universe, and the Earth, along with humans and other creatures, undergo repeated cycles of creation and destruction (pralaya). A variety of myths exist regarding the specifics of the process, but in general the Hindu view of the cosmos is as eternal and cyclic. The later puranic view also asserts that the universe is created, destroyed, and re-created in an eternally repetitive series of cycles. In Hindu cosmology, age of earth is about 4,320,000,000 years (one day of Brahma that is 1000 times of sum of 4 yugas in years, the creator or kalpa) and is then destroyed by fire or water elements. At this point, Brahma rests for one night, just as long as the day. This process, called pralaya (cataclysm), repeats for 100 Brahma years (311 trillion, 40 billion human years) that represents Brahma's lifespan.

Hindu views on evolution - Wikipedia📷

Crowley identified the Age of Isis with Elemental Water. In this ancient age, it was universally believed that woman gave birth to children, alone and her body became the altar of her sacrifice. Hence the image of the upside-down form, as if it were a baby in the womb's amniotic fluid that is being positioned for birth.

The next Aeon of Osiris was identified with the Element of Air, which is sympathetic with both fire and water. Making the sacrifice in the Age of Osiris, the Age of compromises. This is the age of the Dying God, who wasn't a true Messiah or Savior unless he was first baptized and then compromised his own body by allowing it to be tortured, murdered then crucified or hung or nailed to a tree to redeem the lives of his people. In Egyptian mythology, this dying god would be Osiris. Therefore, Horus is the New Age of the "enlightened child" savior.

The Aeon of Osiris was the time of "Slave" religions, for only slaves needed Saviors.  This includes slaves to the "false ego" created by the Patriarchy as a viral program and/or a social egregore. The one who Saves us from our indoctrinated ignorance, reside inside us as the Divine Spark.

The New Age of Horus is identified with the Element of Celestial Fire. In this Aeon of Horus, the water of the Hanged Man and the fire of the Aeon aren't at first copacetic. Crowley writes:

"But now under a fiery Lord of the Aeon, the water element, so far as water is below the Abyss, is definitely hostile, unless the opposition is the right opposition implied in Marriage". [The Book of Thoth, Pg. 96}

The Rosy Cross, a central symbol in Western esotericism and particularly in the traditions of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and Rosicrucianism, is rich with layered meanings. It embodies spiritual, alchemical, and mystical concepts, intertwining themes of enlightenment, transformation, and unity. Here’s an in-depth exploration of its symbolism:

1. The Cross

• Horizontal and Vertical Axes: The cross represents the intersection of the spiritual (vertical) and the material (horizontal) planes. It is the union of heaven and earth, spirit and matter, macrocosm and microcosm.
• Four Elements: The arms of the cross can symbolize the four classical elements: Earth, Water, Air, and Fire, representing the physical world.

2. The Rose

• Divine Love and Spiritual Unfoldment: The rose at the center of the cross represents the unfolding of the soul and the blossoming of spiritual wisdom. Its petals often correspond to 10 Sephiroth of the Tree of Life, signifying the manifestation of divine energy.
• Purity and Perfection: In its perfection and symmetry, the rose is a symbol of purity, beauty, and harmony in the spiritual quest.

3. The Rosy Cross as an Alchemical Symbol

• Transformation and Unity of Opposites: Alchemically, the Rosy Cross signifies the great work (Magnum Opus), the process of uniting opposites (spirit and matter, male and female) to achieve spiritual transformation.
• Sulphur, Mercury, and Salt: These alchemical principles (spirit, soul, and body) are sometimes embedded in Rosy Cross imagery.

4. The Rosy Cross and Christian Mysticism

• Christ Consciousness: In Christian mysticism, the cross represents the crucifixion of the ego and the resurrection of the divine self. The rose adds an element of divine grace, love, and beauty emerging from sacrifice and suffering.
• The Five Wounds of Christ: Some versions of the Rosy Cross include symbols or markings that reference Christ’s wounds, representing spiritual redemption and transcendence.

5. Rosicrucian and Hermetic Traditions

• Hidden Wisdom and Mystical Enlightenment: The Rosy Cross is often associated with the quest for hidden knowledge and mystical illumination. Rosicrucians believe it represents the path to spiritual enlightenment through study, meditation, and service.
• Rebirth and Immortality: The rose blooming on the cross signifies spiritual rebirth and the promise of eternal life through transcendence of the material world.

6. Western Hermetic Qabalah

• Tree of Life Correspondences: The Rosy Cross is deeply connected to the Qabalistic Tree of Life. Its design often incorporates symbols of the Sephiroth, showing the alignment of the soul’s journey with the divine structure of creation.
• The Tetragrammaton: The Rosy Cross can also be a symbol for the sacred name of God (YHVH), showing the unity of all creation.

Interpretative Variations

Different esoteric traditions may emphasize specific aspects of the Rosy Cross:

• The Golden Dawn: Explores the Rosy Cross as a tool for ritual work, especially in invoking divine forces.
• The Rosicrucians: Use it as a symbol of their philosophical and spiritual ideals, including harmony, wisdom, and love.

Conclusion

The Rosy Cross is a profound symbol of spiritual ascent, divine union, and the journey of the soul. It bridges mysticism, alchemy, and religion, inviting the seeker to contemplate the unity underlying apparent dualities and to strive for inner transformation and enlightenment.

The marriage Crowley is talking about is the "annihilation of Self in the Beloved" [Book of Thoth, Pg. 96]. This is symbolized by the Ankh (the union of the Rose -female and Cross-Male.)

As I have stated before, this is the card that shows the reversal of perspective, where the individual identity, reflected in the light of consciousness (reflecting side of the Mirror of Self), becomes the Universal Identity and/or The Divine Hermaphrodite (The Dark or non-reflective side of the Mirror of Self) that is manifested as the Universal Collective Unconscious, the Maker of All Things (Imagination+ Reason).

Successful scrying of this card will reverse perspective, so that the mediator becomes the object of one's own meditation. Which could be stated as, where the Soul is observing the body, rather than the body seeking its soul. Here one realizes that we are imagined into being, and that all is Imagination; Hence, all is a fantasy and/or assumption that we can control. Therefore, the I AM is truth, but the Me is assumed and therefore, all destiny is also "assumed".

None of us are "seeking" spirit, for Spirit (breath) is our First Identity, the body is our "10th" dimensional Sephirotic Identity and an experiment in Intimate/Manifested and/or coagulated self-identity. For we started in the "Above" at the birth of light, before we manifested our psyche in the "Below", as the Hanged Man with his head in the material world. Therefore, to seek spirit is to be as intelligent as a fish in the ocean looking for water.

Religion/dogma is not "spiritual" it is man made to control the imagination of human subjects all based on the "Divide and Conquer" concept of the Military Industrial Complex of rulers. Rulers, "those who control definition", know that when you control the imagination, you control the personal self-identity (Nephesh) and imagined destiny. Hence, control "god" and you control authority.

The Truth of Self is "I AM", what that I Am decides it is, is all assumption and therefore, an illusion/fantasy. Hence, by Divine Decree, you are free to be whatever you think you are and not the evil one, "the False Ego", that has been defined for you by the "word hypnosis" of the media to enslave your consciousness. This "live spelled backwards" and/or the one who is a "mind virus", although hiding in the subconscious, shows itself in the footprints of drug and/or alcohol addiction, smoking, depression, indolence, helplessness, self-harm, scattered thinking, obsession with conspiracy theories etc.

Accept the fact that you are the Will of the One to Be. It's best to use your imagination to see yourself as a Powerful Spiritual Will that controls the Mind rather than a mind controlled by outside and/or false authority.

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When THE HANGED/HANGING MAN-ATU 12 or Key 12-, is thrown during a reading, 

• The querent will be or is, experiencing moments of enforced sacrifice, even punishment. 
• Loss that is not voluntary and general suffering.  
• This is the Principle of Surrender to break old patterns.  
• A time when one must accept reversals.
• Attachment.
• Deep spiritual awareness.
• Independence.
• Developing new perspectives
• A reversal of past perspective.
• Sacrifice and surrender.
• Time out!
• Old grooves won't do. 
• To flow somewhere new by taking a different path.

If ill defined by surrounding cards, it implies:

• Being overly influenced by outside ideas.
• Pressure to conform.
• Demands.
• Sacrificing something to get past hang-ups.
• Lack of purpose.

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