The Meanings of the 22 Major Arcana Tarot Cards – The Hanged Man:
Introduction to The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man is Key 12 of the Major Arcana in the Tarot deck. It is the card of suspension and sacrifice. The Hanged Man denotes the development of a new perspective. It is one of the four elemental cards in the Tarot and represents the element of water.
The Hanged Man is shown in many traditional and online decks as a man of indeterminable age hanging by one foot from a tree. His free leg is often bent into a shape resembling the number four. His face looks serene and bears no indicator of any pain. His hands are usually not free but instead bound or in his pockets. The Hanged Man is also shown with his legs crossed to form the shape of the Arabic number four, but here the number is reversed, suggesting a renunciation of earthly matters.
The Hanged Man is a card of contemplation and of serenity in general. The Hanged Man can be adopted birth cards of the selfless, hospital patients and mediators. The appearance of the Hanged Man card in a Tarot reading implies stamina and foresight. The Hanged Man is a birth card for those born under the water signs of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces and can be one of the secondary birth cards for the planet Moon.
The Hanged Man Upright
The Hanged Man upright in a Tarot reading means it is time to slow down and reevaluation actions. Sometimes the Hanged Man card appears in a Tarot spread as advice to slow down and set a new pace with a unique perspective. This card can entail hardship and a gradual accumulation of occult power.
If the Hanged Man card appears in Major Arcana spreads before the Devil card, most meanings suggest a marriage or sexual union in which one partner dominates the other. If the Devil is reversed, it can mean a more balanced relationship that was previously. Whenever the Hanged Man card appears next to the Temperance card in Tarot deck spreads, indecision and insincere promises are suggested. If Temperance is reversed, too much emphasis is being put on one action to the detriment of another.
Whenever the Hanged Man precedes the Death card in a Major Arcana spread, a willing sacrifice will be made. If the Hanged Man follows Death, there will be much reflection before any decision is made. If the Hanged Man upright follows the reversed Strength (rx) card, a chronic illness is indicated, possible a relapse if birth cards are involved in the spread.
The Hanged Man Reversed (RX)
The Hanged Man card reversed indicates a useless sacrifice. Selfishness and irresponsibility are suggested by the appearance of the Hanged Man reversed in a Tarot reading, When the reversed Hanged Man (rx) appears in a Tarot reading before the Hermit card, self-centerdness is indicated. If the reversed Hanged Man (rx) appears after the Hermit, most advice will be misinterpreted.
When the reversed Hanged Man (rx) card appears in a Tarot reading with the Lovers card, a wrong choice has been made. If the reversed Strength (rx) card comes with the reversed Hanged Man (rx) in a Tarot reading, sound medical advice will be ignored. The reversed Hanged Man (rx) appearing before the Sun card means a new freedom.
The Hanged Man in Regards to Love, Sex and Relationships
The Hanged Man often implies a sacrifice to be made in love. It can be a card signifying a lull in a relationship or a suspension of one due to outside events. The appearance of the Hanged Man card in a relationship Tarot reading suggests patience and perseverance should be considered in any sexual relationship. Often the Hanged Man appears where there is a separation of a union that results in the relationship being put on hold for the time being.
