Suit: Major Arcana
Astrology: Pisces
Planet: Neptune
Number: 12
Corresponding Rune: Isa
Corresponding I-Ching: Hsu
Divinatory Meaning: A sacrifice must be made to gain something of greater value.
The Message: Sometimes called the “Suspended Person”, this card reflects the story of Odin, who hanged himself from Yggdrassil (The World Tree or Tree of Life), wounded by a spear, given no bread and no mead, he hung from the tree for nine days and nine nights. On the last day, he saw the runes that had fallen from the tree, understood their meaning and coming down - scooped them up for his own. All knowledge is said to be found in these runes.
The Major Arcana are the “spiritual teacher” of the tarot. Through them we are supposed to learn our spiritual lessons in order that we may grow in our individual spiritual evolution. The Hanged Man is a card about suspension, rather than life or death. This suspension symbolizes moments between the physical and mystical worlds.
The Hanged Man is a mysterious, unsettling card because it symbolizes the reversal of/or life situations - all the contradictions we face in ourselves or in life in general - and reveals the “paradox in action.” It is a simple, but complex card. It attracts, but it also disturbs.
Keywords Upright (U): letting go, reversal, perseverance, acceptance, reflection, observant, calm, suspension, trials, intuition, growth, transition, isolation and inspired spiritual enlightenment.
A few upright interpretations:
You are asked to stop resisting - instead, make yourself vulnerable, sacrifice your position/opposition, and in doing so, gain illumination.
When the Hanged Man appears in a reading, it is telling you to be aware of other’s motives. Do not allow yourself to be misled. Be prepared to exercise your own personal strength and will.
The Hanged Man asks you to learn to relax both physically and mentally, allowing the higher forces to renew your existence. Be tolerant of all things and know that you are an essential part of the life-force around you.
Be prepared for big changes within your home and family life and/or your career sector. Be prepared for new and innovative ideas that will bring about positive change when the Hanged Man appears in a reading.
Reversed Keywords (R): selfishness, dissatisfaction, lack of effort, apathy, lack of compromise, delusions.
A few reversed interpretations:
Appearing reversed, the Hanged Man in a reading, tells that you may find it difficult to progress at this time, as you may be acting stubbornly and not compromising. This could result in losses - perhaps even loss of friendship.
The card may be implying that you are currently surrounded by false securities. Dispelling these will enable you to step forward on your path.
Reversed, the Hanged Man may be indicating that material temptation needs to be conquered. It also indicates the over-coming of the ego personality and the transmutation of the lower passions.
The Hanged Man reversed may be signifying that you are fantasizing about the unobtainable. It speaks to self-pity, feelings of hatred, the inability to forgive and the holding on to negative attitudes and mindsets.
If you are attempting to read cards for yourself or others, these are just a few interpretations of the card. As you become more secure and proficient at reading cards, you should be able to come up with your own intuitive meanings of this card.
Until next time.
Be Good to Yourselves.
Tara, xx