The Sphinx: The Hanged Man

The Sphinx is a vigilant threshold guardian, keeping watch over the boundary between the mundane world of the living and the spiritual world of the Duat. He guards the border between the conscious and the subconscious, reality and dreams. The Sphinx is a powerful force to be reckoned with and can be a powerful obstacle to be overcome. He can never be defeated physically, but can only be dispatched through the power of the traveler’s knowledge and wisdom. In overcoming the resistance offered by the Sphinx, the traveler gains enlightenment.

On the card, we see Ani pausing to consider his situation when he encounters the Sphinx on the road he is traveling. The Sphinx can be a powerful adversary to the traveler.

Themes

The main theme of the Sphinx card is possibly the hero's greatest enemy: uncertainty in all its forms. That includes pausing the journey, lack of direction, surrendering, letting go, and gaining new perspectives.