I must confess. Before this week, I made the mistake of believing that surrender is easy. Just a simple go with the flow mindset right? While working on the hanged man tarot card meaning, I met with situations entirely out of my control.
Situations where you have no power are NOT easy, breezy, beautiful. Think of what happens for someone to surrender in battle. They take a massive beating. The hanged man is not in a good position. He’s upside down, tied to a tree. Yet, he’s calm, enlightened. This is Jesus levels of acceptance.
Understanding the hanged man isn’t simply learning tarot. It’s a spiritual lesson that has incredible implications for your entire life.
Here you’ll find all the meanings of the hanged man card. Upright, reversed and in different contexts including love, career, health and more!
Upright Card Keywords: Surrender, Pause, New Perspectives, Enlightenment, Peace, Suspension, Sacrifice
Reversed Card Keywords: Controlling, Resistance, Stalling, Wasting Energy, Fighting What Is, Micromanaging
Tarot Card Description
The hanged man is the central figure of the card. He is suspended in time, representing martyrdom and sacrifice for the greater good. His upside down position serves as a symbol of new perspectives. His situation causes him to see the world in a unique way.
His body with his right foot bound to the tree, and left leg bent at the knee, is in the shape of an inverted number 4. Four represents control structure and order. It’s turned upside down, because it shows he’s releasing the need for control.
His red pants symbolize passion and the human body. While his blue vest stands for knowledge.
On his face rests a calm, serene expression. Showing his ability to find peace in his situation.
The most potent symbol of this card is the halo around his head. This is a sign of enlightenment and is often used for deities, saints and prophets. This halo shows the new insight, awareness and spiritual wisdom the hanging man has gained.
Tarot card number : 12
What Does The Hanged Man Tarot Card Mean : Upright
When you draw the hanged man upright, it feels like you’re in limbo. An in between period. Your view of the world has changed. You’re not exactly where you were and you’re not quite where you’re going yet.
This is your sign to rest and reflect. You’re in need of a real pause.
If you’re trying to force forward movement, stop. Hot the brakes, reassess, evaluate and think about what you’re doing. If you don’t, the universe will do it for you. Projects and activities will come to an abrupt halt. Blocks, delays and unpredictable circumstances will slow you down.
This all for your greater good. You need a new perspective.
Sometimes you’re stuck on go mode and you don’t even know where you’re going. Why are you doing what you’re doing? Are the actions you’re taking actually leading to what you want? What if the universe has a greater plan for you than you can possibly imagine?
This is part of it. Embrace the slow down. Let your world be turned upside down for a while. You’ll appreciate it more after seeing from a new angle.
Lean in to the difficulties in your situation and give up trying to control them. There are people, or systems around you that can step in. Ask them too.
Trusting or surrendering to what is, isn’t always easy. It comes down to acceptance. Which doesn’t meant liking something. or telling yourself you’re okay with what you’re not okay with. Acceptance is swallowing the truth of the situation you’re in. Maybe the truth sucks right now. Maybe it’s meh. Maybe it’s good. Take it in. Swallow it.
This is how you flow with life. Allowing your feelings and emotions to be what they are.
If you’re feeling stuck right now, sorry. You’ll be hanging around in this energy for a little while longer. Eventually momentum will return. Everything changes. Right now isn’t forever. How can you take advantage of this time? What can you gain from being a human being, instead of a human doing?
Reverse Meaning of The Hanged Man
It’s annoying when stuff doesn’t work. When you’re pushing to get things done and meet with resistance, delay, mistakes, frustrations.
Unfortunately in this universe there is a time to act and there is a time to not. Wasting your energy fighting and forcing your way through is only going to piss you off.
I feel you though. The more things aren’t working the more you’re trying to control and micromanage. Ask yourself, is it helping? Or are you a fish fighting your way upstream.
Unlike the feisty salmon, who’s made for that way of life. Right now you’re some other fish, (and you’re floundering).
The reversed hanged man is telling you to relax, let go. Drift down stream for a time. This message is not always nice to hear or easy to receive. Contemplate the energy of the upside down hanging man card. What is one thing you can do to find relief? Pause, rest. Take a bath. Turn on your favourite show. Just close your eyes for a second.
There will be a time to act, and when it comes everything will feel smoother than it does right now.
Alternatively drawing the hanged man card in reverse shows you’re stalling an important decision or action. Distracting yourself from your real issue with busy work. Wasting your energy on things that aren’t as important.
Like a car with manual transmission, you need to shift gears to stop stalling out. Pause. Clear space in your day to tune in. It’s time to deal with your real problem.
Yes or No Meaning Of The Hanged Man Card
The hanged man is a maybe. Don’t try to get a straight answer out of him. He wants you to surrender to not knowing.
Click here for a guide on yes or no tarot card meanings.
Timeline Prediction
The timing of the hanged man is commonly thought to mean 12 weeks, 12 months, or 12 days. The season of fall could be important.
Some esoteric systems state 30 days as the timing of the hanged man.
You’ll need to use your intuition to decide which method to use.
Read this guide to understand timing in tarot better.
The Hanged Man Tarot : Daily Card
As a daily card, the hanged man tells you to go with the flow today. Today will feel slow. Be flexible about plans changing. There’s no need to waste your energy pushing to get things done today. Prioritize peace. Find time for meditation or a contemplative walk. Because that will align perfectly with the energy of your day.
The Hanged Man Meaning : Love
Love can’t be rushed. The hanged man in a love reading is asking you to be patient.
For singles, this indicates a need to pause your dating life. Suspend romantic entanglement. Other areas of your life are needing your focus. If you’ve been waiting on someone, or even waiting for slow replies, this is your sign! Make peace with where you are, and don’t waste your energy making love happen right now. It’s time will come!
If you’re in a relationship, surrender to who your partner is. No trying to change or fix them. No loving their potential. Really truly look at the person before you. You need a new perspective. One that isn’t pushing or pulling them (or you) in a particular direction. Can you accept them as who they are right now? And if not, ask yourself why?
Practice watching them, and your relationship with neutrality for a while. You’ll be surprised at the positive effect this has.
The hanged man upright can also show a period of peace for you and your partner. Where there’s nothing you need to do but hang out. Enjoy being with them.
Reversed Love Meaning
The reversed hanged man shows you’re trying to hard to control your love life.
If you’re single, are you rigid, distrusting in new relationships? Do you have an idea of how dating should go? How do you react to the thought of putting everything in someone else’s hands?
You may be controlling yourself and your behaviour. Trying to get the right reaction from potential partners. The less authentic you are, the more likely you are to find yourself in incompatible relationships.
Right now the biggest obstacle in the way of your flourishing love life is you. Your own resistance. Why do you hold on so tightly and how can you let go? Just a little?
In a relationship are you micromanaging your partner? Tracking their phone location? Requiring the constant check-in? You both need to breathe. Let your partner do things their own way. Even if they make mistakes. Your relationship and your sanity will be better off for it.
If you find your relationship stalling, not growing in the direction you want it to go, pause. Is there a deeper reason for this to slow down?
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meaning : Career
The hanged man shows up when it feels like nothing is happening in your career. No forward movement. Maybe even some delays in completing projects. Waiting to hear back from your boss, coworkers or clients. This is your sign to keep going. Your day to day efforts at work are leading to achievement, mastery and success. Even if it doesn’t feel like it.
When you plant a seed in the ground there’s some time where it looks like absolutely nothing is happening. Eventually the plant roots, grows and produces a beautiful harvest. Do not dig up the seed to check it’s progress. Keep waiting. Keep working.
This slow down at work will give you new insights and clarity. Some of the best inspiration and problem solving comes when you’re bored!
Upside Down Hanging Man : Career Meaning
In the reversed position, the hanged man shows your sacrifices for work aren’t paying off. You’re giving to much of yourself to a job that’s not worth it.
On the other hand this card can show you’re procrastinating in your career. Maybe you know you need to find a new job and you’re putting zero energy towards it. Or you have work projects piling up that you don’t want to do.
Complaining about where you are isn’t going to get you somewhere new. Stop stalling. Whatever you’re putting off will be easier when you get started.
Health Meaning Of The Hanged Man
The hanged man shows a situation where you have no control. You may be waiting for answers about your health, test results or feel at the mercy of the medical system. In times like these it’s hard to be patient. Be as open as you can to new perspectives regarding your diet, lifestyle and health.
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Advice
The advice of the hanged man comes down to your mindset and outlook. You need to view this situation from an entirely new angle. Slow down and give yourself time to process. As much as our modern society pushes for speed and immediate answers, there is beauty and wisdom in pausing and waiting. Take your time.
Enlightenment : The Hanged Man’s Spiritual Meaning
Spirituality the hanged man signifies enlightenment. Considered a blessed state in Buddhism, enlightenment is the absence of suffering. It’s the loss of ego. It’s the felt sense of oneness within your being. It’s a beautifully suspended moment in time. When you experience a a profound spiritual moment it will vibrate through all areas of your life. Changing you and your outlook forever.
In sacred stillness, you find peace.
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Combinations
Below you’ll find some popular major arcana card combinations that include the hanged man. These assume both cards are in the upright position.
Read this if you want to go deeper into reading reversed card meanings.
The Hanged Man And The Judgement Card
When You draw the tarot combination of the Hanged Man and Judgement, your life is changing. This is a significant time for you. You will experience a profound shift in perspective that turns everything you thought you knew upside down. You’re being called to a bigger purpose. Get ready to make some sacrifices along the way.
Learn about the Judgemnet card here.
The Hanged Man And The Tower
Drawn with the Tower card, the Hanged Man shows a situation where you have absolutely no control. There is a massive upheaval occurring in your life. You may feel like your reaching for handrails, as the floor collapses underneath you. Only to find there’s nothing solid to hold on to.
This is an unsettling yet transformative time. Keep an open mind to the unexpected changes you’re experiencing. While sudden upheaval is scary, you might land exactly where you want to be.
The Hanged Man And The Sun
The Sun and the Hanged Man together show a peaceful slow down. There won’t be much progress in the situation you’re asking about. Yet it won’t feel frustrating to you. This is a great time for you to relax. Hang out. Good things are happening in the background. Your period of waiting is leading to a joyous and successful outcome!
Read about the meaning of the sun card here.
The Hanged Man And The Chariot
The Chariot and the Hanged Man are a weird combination in a tarot reading. They seem to be opposites. To understand these cards together consider the phrase “hurry up and wait”.
This originated from the military. Where often soldiers are expected to finish a task super quickly. Only to then sit around and wait long periods of time. Like rushing to a battlefront to launch an attack, that then takes over 42 hours to actually execute.
Another great example is when you travel. You rush to the airport, only to wait in line to check your bags. Wait in line at security. Than wait at your gate. It’s a slow process, yet if you don’t execute your part in a timely manner, you miss your flight!
In your situation you must take responsibility for your part. Get organized, get what you need to get done quickly and efficiently. Anything outside of your control will be slow. Prepare to wait. Understanding that any procrastination on your end will be met with unfortunate consequences. Like missing an expensive flight.
The Hanged Man And The Lovers
You’re in a state of transition when you see the Lovers and the Hanged Man together. You’ll be facing difficult choices in your relationships. This could be romantic, friendships, family relationships, or work connections. You’re learning what you truly want and need in this situation. Decide what sacrifices in your relationships are worth it, and what sacrifices are too much.
The Hanged Man And The Moon
Seeing the Hanged Man and the Moon cards together in a reading is an important sign. You’re in a period of waiting for answers. There’s to much uncertainty and confusion surrounding you. Do not make decisions or take major action until you have the clarity you need. This will feel like it’s taking way longer than it should! These two cards are slow. Wait a month (or moon cycle).
Learn about the Moon Card here.
The Hanged Man And The Magician
The Hanged Man and the Magician together create the ultimate form of conscious manifestation. On their own there are risks to their energies.
Too much of the magician energy, and you’re forcing your will on to the world.. Like the myths of genies, it can quickly become a case of be careful what you wish for. Too much hanged man energy and you’re simply a passive observer in this world. Disconnected from life, letting your creative potential go to waste.
Together they’re a beautiful balance. You have everything you need to manifest what you want in your reality. Plus the patience to surrender to the universe’s plan. Maybe there’s something even better for you!
When you see these two cards approach manifestation like ordering at a restaurant. You clearly tell the waiter what you want. Than, you wait for the chef to make it for you the way they think is best. You’re not standing behind them dictating every move.
Decide the what, and surrender the how!
Read about what the magician card means hear.
Deities Associated with the Hanged Man Tarot Card
The hanging man is directly connected to the Norse god Odin. In Norse mythology Odin hung from the world tree for 9 days to gain the knowledge of the runes.
You are also suspended for the purpose of attaining wisdom when you draw this major arcana card.
Religious figures or gods that sacrifice for the greater good, or the attainment of knowledge are connected to this card.
The most notable are;
Jesus (sacrificed on the cross)
Buddha ( attained enlightenment beneath the bodhi tree)
Prometheus (sacrificed to give the knowledge of fire to humans)
Tarot Synchronicity : How The Hanged Man Made Me wait
Whenever I write a tarot card meaning, I am inundated with synchronicities connected to the card. Songs that align with the meaning or have the exact card name get stuck in my head. Quotes and images connected to the card show up everywhere.
For the hanged man the synchronicity came quick. Starting with a dancer in a show calling her dance move “the hanged man”. More importantly the hang man made me wait. Collecting images for this blog took eons. nothing would load. The process I normally use to write out the meanings for you simply wouldn’t work. I got stuck.
In my personal life I met with situations outside my control. From frustrating delays. To having my entire ability to come and go from my apartment revoked.
Due to a misunderstanding with my landlord and the building strata company, my key fob was confiscated. Trapping me inside with my toddler who desperately wants to go outside. A situation I can’t fix. Other people had to figure it out for me.
With writing this article as the backdrop, I knew I needed to surrender. Did I? NO. I was a grumpy miserable mess! No enlightenment this week.
From this space pieces of this article entirely wrote themselves. Seriously. I like to use traditional sources, merged with my understanding as a professional tarot reader. Because it gives you the most accurate meanings possible. With this one, I got the joy of learning through experience. The words flew out of me, mostly when I wasn’t prepared to write them.
Before this week, I didn’t have much of an opinion of the hanged man. I knew how to talk about it, if I pulled it in a reading for a client. But it was never a card that really struck me.
It’s hanging on a wall in my home. Because someone gave it to me as a gift. Along with the death card. (Why does no one give me the positive joyful cards?)
Now I feel connected to it on a whole new level. As someone who likes to move fast and get things done. Oof! When Autonomy goes out the window. This is the space where we really learn to trust that universe. Where we practice true faith.
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