Man In The Mirror Vs Hanged Man
Ever belted out "Man in the Mirror" at the top of your lungs, thinking about personal change? Well, get this: it has a surprising doppelganger in the world of tarot cards: The Hanged Man.
Before you picture dark robes and spooky dungeons, hold on! Weβre not talking about morbid stuff here. Think of it more likeβ¦ a cosmic pause button.
Opposites Attract: How a Pop Anthem and a Tarot Card are Secretly BFFs
"Man in the Mirror", the Michael Jackson anthem, is all about taking action, looking inwards, and deciding to be better. It's about proactive change, right? "I'm starting with the man in the mirror!"
The Hanged Man seems the opposite. He's hanging upside down (don't worry, he's usually pretty chill about it). He's in a state of suspension, of waiting.
So, how can these two be related? Well, imagine the Hanged Man is taking a time-out BEFORE belting out "Man in the Mirror".
The Upside-Down Perspective
The Hanged Man's upside-down view isn't about punishment. It's about seeing things differently. It's about gaining a new perspective by hitting pause.
Think of it like that time you accidentally put your shoes on the wrong feet. You felt silly, but you also probably paid a lot more attention to your feet for a few minutes!
He's sacrificing action for insight. Kinda like when you decide to binge-watch documentaries instead of cleaning your apartment. (Okay, maybe not *exactly* like that, but you get the idea.)
The "Aha!" Moment Before the Change
The Hanged Man is about that crucial moment of reflection BEFORE you start changing the world (or yourself). It's about understanding what needs to change, and why.
Without that reflection, you might just be rearranging deck chairs on the Titanic, as they say. Or, you know, cleaning your apartment instead of dealing with your actual problems.
"Man in the Mirror" is the action. The Hanged Man is the quiet understanding that *inspires* the action.
From Hanging Around to Changing the World
So, next time you hear "Man in the Mirror", remember the Hanged Man. Remember that taking a step back can be the most important step you take.
Consider these lyrics:
"I'm starting with the man in the mirror. I'm asking him to change his ways. And no message could have been any clearer. If you want to make the world a better place, Take a look at yourself and then make a change."
It's about pausing, reflecting, and gaining a new perspective before diving headfirst into change. Maybe even hanging upside down for a bit (metaphorically, please!).
The world needs both. It needs the anthem of action and the quiet wisdom of the Hanged Man. The song and the card, perfectly balanced, inspire us to see more clearly before taking the leap.
Because sometimes, the best way to change the world is to hang out upside down for a while. You know, just think about stuff.
