The Hanged Man is not a victim - he has gone to his fate happily and smiles out at us. He is serene and content - it is his tormentors who will ultimately suffer.

The Hanged Man has that precious gift - a cause in which he believes totally and for which he is willing to risk all, give all. This is a card of self-sacrifice for the good of others.

Many people of religious persuasion draw parallels between the Hanged Man and religious figures such as Christ.

Oppressors know the power of a martyr such as The Hanged Man. Often the State seeks to cripple dissidents financially rather than impose custodial sentences.

If well aspected in a Tarot reading, this card can indicate sacrifice for a cause, giving up one thing to obtain something greater.

If badly aspected this card can indicate loss of faith and lack of true commitment, and "fair weather friends". It indicates an over-emphasis on the short term at the expense of the long.

What do you really care about?

OK, my own personal interpretation of the Hanged Man is about life in suspension, being in a rut and once that ends you are back on the path that you are supposed to be on. You are wiser and more dedicated than ever because you have stagnated and can now see that.

I used the figure of Jess on the ceiling because to me, all of Sam's time at Stanford was Sam just putting his life on hold until Dean comes for him and drags him back to his destiny. From the moment I saw the pilot I thought that both Mary and Jess were put in the Hanged Man position on purpose. Mary was the impetus to get John on this life's path just as Jess was for Sam.

The bottom image is half of Jess' face and half of Sam's. I'm kind of amazed how many people have thought it was Dean. Which, of course, brings on a whole slew of inappropriate questions. Did you know that Jess and Dean were born on the same day, just on different years?

I like how over the course of season two, Sam's need for vengeance and hunting slowly changes from needing to avenge Jess to protecting Dean. Because of Jess' sacrifice Sam is pushed forward into this life that he doesn't want, but once there he is forced to acknowlege the one person who has always been there for him - Dean.