By pirbid

Farafina, thank you for sharing Odin's tale. This card is sometimes hard to explain to querents, who are sometimes a bit upset by it.

The Universal gives me the impression of hanging "by a thread", maybe not literal, but his position is certainly precarious, which is not usually the case. In fact, this figure is often depicted as quite hieratic.

The Guilded is also quite active and more in control, with his hands free. He looks a bit like a magician on the last stage of his escaping show. This is probably my favorite, since we place ourselves willingly in the Hanged position whenever we have need of it.

Llewellyn's is harder to recognize, but the dreamy atmosphere is really nice, too.

I have noticed how all of them hold their legs in the shape of a 4, which has probably some symbolic and esoteric meaning that I am sure some of you must know, but I do not.

This card represents to me lots of problems! The person is in a very difficult situation and he doesn't know how to get out of it...Things are going very wrongly and he has to be very careful at his decisions!
It might also mean that there are things he's not looking in the right way!
I would advise lots of patience and attention in this case!
If I saw this card next to the Justice I'd definitely say that he's done something wrong and he's going to be punished for that!
If it was the previous one and then came the Justice I'd say that he has been punished for something he didn't deserve to and now the Justice has come to release him and reward him for the injustice made to him!

this card reminds me of someone skiving off work, taking a nap when should be working, or an attention seeker, as if hang upside down from tree is normal

This card puts a smile on my face.  It makes me feel free.

A time of suspension?  A time to do nothing at all?  

The hanged man is at peace.  With all that is going on around him, he is at peace.  A time for reflection?  

I feel, no matter what else is going on right now ( the turmoil all around ) it is time to relax and reflect.

I see this card as release.  Releasing all sins, freeing yourself from all judgement and cleanse your soal.  Self sacrifice to let go of all bad influences in life and start innocent and anew.  You need to block out what other people feel about you so you can stay true to yourself.   On revearsal, maybe holding back  or delays caused by you doubting yourself and not letting go of insecurities and other people's judgement.