The Hanged Man as the twelfth Major Arcana card in tarot pictures a man hanged upside down by one foot on a tree or a wooden beam. He has a nimbus about his head. There are leaves on the tree, which is a sign that it is living wood. We can see from the man’s face that he is in trance, not pain, as the situation might suggest. The numerical value for the Hanged Man is three and it is predominated by Water.
The first association that comes to mind when looking at this card is suspension. Indeed, it is connected with temporary suspension of progress. It also stands for flexibility of mind, the will to adapt to changes. The Hanged Man also meas devoting to worthwhile cause and sacrificing to it in the present in order to achieve success in the future. This is connected with the waiting period, patience and even transformation or rebirth. In addition to that, the Hanged Man is also associated with turning circumstances on their head.
On one hand, this card stands for letting go. Here it means releasing emotions and accepting the situation. It is about surrender, but not the negative one. The Hanged Man surrenders to experience, which will bring him great benefits. He sacrifices his life to God’s will, which makes him vulnerable, but also open. He doesn’t revolt, but simply gives up control and accepts what comes his way.
On the other hand, this sacrifice has its rewards. The Hanged Man renounces any claims and puts himself in a position of martyr. He does one step back, but only to make two steps forward. He knows that the benefits will come later. However, now it is time to put his self-interest aside and sacrifie for the higher cause.
Another aspect of this tarot card meaning is suspension. The Hanged Man pauses himself in time, gives up urgency and uses this moment to think about his situation. This is not only the time for reflection, but also a geat moment to wait for the best opportunity and step in when it appears. Sometimes he needs time to just be and gives up any action to take it.
According to tarot cards interpretation, the Hanged Man stands for reversing. This might mean turning the world around and overturning old priorities in general, but also changing your mind or the chance to look at things from a new angle. It might be a radical change, which will turn everything upside down, just like in the picture.
Some claim that this card is based on the mythological god, Odin, suspended from The World Tree, pierced by his own spear in order to gain wisdom and power. This is also related to sacrificing yourself for the higher cause and waiting to reap benefits in the future.
The appearance of the Hanged Man in tarot cards reading might be a sing that you should stop for a while and look at your situation from a different point of view. Usually it is connected with restraining yourself from action. Though it might look like moving back, it isn’t. Even by doing nothing you can make things happen, unless you try to force them. It is time to give up control and accept what is. Remember that your sacrifice will be rewarded, as long as you are ready to give up something important in order to make place for something new.
When the Hanged Man appears in tarot cards reading reversed, it means lack of commitment and preoccupation with material things. It also stands for oppression, lack of space and apathy. All these things lead to inability to move forward. If you forget that sometimes you have to give up something that holds you back, you hang on to this and cannot progress. The reversed position of this card tells you that you are not able to let go your old habits and this is the kind of suspension that stops changes. You should pause time, as the Hanged Man says, and let the current take you. It will help you to leave the negative thing behind and then you will be ready to move forward. Don’t be selfish. Realise that if you sometimes forget your self-interest for a moment, you might receive a great reward later. Just take your time and be patient. The enlightenment will come.
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i was wondering on more clarity from the card i see the legs are crossed u kno and it reps a triangle well i just dumped my bf cuz i think he might be with sumone else and if i would of stayed in the relationship it would of turned into a love triangle and could his legs bein crossed in this card rep that maybe my suspicions were right that it would of turned into a love triangle and that there is sumelse involved and its good that i broke up with him and just now waiting n doin nothing instead of argueing with him about it when he wont tell me nada newayz is the best thing to do? i wish you guys would take this email seriously cuz ive been racking my brain soul and heart over this issue for at least 7 months now i think when all the wierdness started or it might be longer i dont even remember but im just trying to look for answers n i have read my tarrots more than i ever have n my whole life cuz im so desprete for answers so please help and see if u agree about my insite on getting this card? i only got one card this is the one i got it was a one card spread and i did it myself off a horoscope site but im really sick of dealing with this hurt my bf has caused and this card i want to kno if it signifys a love triangle if i would of stayed with him ..thanks for the help sorry this is SO long =) ..,Bree