The Dragonfly and the Hanged Man

by Rose Claire

As I gazed out at the lake gently rippling from a soft summer breeze, I noticed a young dragonfly flitting by the window. As the curious creature darted up and down the pane, a small strand of spider silk wafted in the breeze and attached to one of the dragonfly’s wings.

At first, the creature froze, unsure of what to do next as the breeze delicately rocked it back and forth. Then it began furiously flapping its wings trying to escape the sticky trap, but the more force the dragonfly applied, the more stuck it became as the silken strand wrapped more tightly around the wing. Exhausted from the effort, the creature ultimately succumbed and became a meal for the inky black spider lying in wait.

Ironically, the dragonfly was not as enveloped in the silk as it believed it was. The breeze was gentle when it initially was caught but became more vigorous during the afternoon. There was a good chance that errant strand would eventually have relented to the breeze, freeing the dragonfly.

 But all the dragonfly knew was to fight.

Being a Virgo and a generator in Human Design, I relate to the dragonfly’s feverish attempts to make something work. Pushing myself beyond fatigue and doing everything to make something in my business or personal life gel—to the point of compromising my wellbeing—has been a pattern. A pattern that often emerges when I feel stuck.

But am I truly stuck?

That is the question I now ask myself when I feel this frenetic push to achieve something.

It reminds me of the Hanged Man in the Tarot, a deeply misunderstood and sometimes wrongly vilified card. On its surface, it suggests being trapped or stuck, but when truly observing and connecting with the card, deeper and more provocative meanings evolve.

For someone tied upside down on a wooden cross, the Hanged Man appears surprisingly calm and comfortable. The peace he expresses hints at the control he’s released and his understanding that, sometimes, inaction is an intentional choice.

Like the dragonfly, he could writhe and twist, attempting to free himself, but it would likely not work and very possibly cause him more pain and exhaustion. So instead, he waits with acceptance and patience. As the foliage grows rich and deep around him, clarity may come. Perhaps the knots will loosen. Perhaps his perspective will simply change. Either way, he has released his need to force the outcome.

If you find yourself pushing and pushing to make something happen, perhaps the question isn't, How do I try harder?

Perhaps it's simply: Am I truly stuck—or am I just afraid to stop struggling?

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Take a few quiet minutes to sit with that question. You might even open your journal and explore where in your life you’ve been pushing, struggling or trying to force an outcome—and what might become possible if, just for a moment, you allowed yourself to stop.

Warmly,

Rose Claire

Lighting the way with wisdom, wonder and Spirit.

About Rose Claire

Rose Claire is a writer, spiritual teacher and mentor who helps others connect with their own inner wisdom through Tarot, astrology, mediumship, psychic and intuitive development. In 2026, she celebrates 40 years of spiritual practice and five years of Rose Claire.

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