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Each arcana in the world of Tarot possesses a deep and special meaning. One of the most complex and ambiguous for interpretation is The Hanged Man. Card number 12, at first glance, does not promise anything good. It depicts a person hanging by one foot from a tree. And the very name of the card, The Hanged Man, evokes negative thoughts. In the variation of the arcana in the Rider-Waite deck, there is no background. Everything depicted on the card is the crossbeam and the man hanging on it.
The card also has other, no less negative names. For example, Sacrifice, The Gallows, Thief, and The Suspended. However, things are not as simple as they may seem at first glance. The face of the man is calm, and there is a glow behind his head. He is dressed in bright clothing. The crossbeam is framed by fresh green foliage. This adds a calmer and more positive energy to the arcana. And this means that The Hanged Man Tarot has many meanings, and not all of them are negative.
The main meaning of the card is to advise taking a rest and looking at the situation from a different perspective. The Hanged Man indicates that soon the querent will be on a path of spiritual growth. When interpreting, it is important to consider many details. First, the position of the card. It can be either upright or reversed. Second, the presence of other cards. The “neighbors” can significantly distort the interpretation of the Major Arcana and give it a completely different meaning. Third, the question of the querent itself. It is necessary to ask clear questions and focus on receiving answers or advice.
The Hanged Man Tarot: combinations with other cards
The relationship of the twelfth arcana with other cards is an important aspect when reading Tarot. Precise interpretations depend on the individual queries of the querents. The most popular combinations with The Hanged Man Tarot are presented in the table.
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The FoolFull recovery is expected.
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The MagicianManipulation by others is possible.
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The High PriestessEven in the most difficult situation, something good can be found.
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The LoversLove requires sacrifices.
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Wheel of FortuneIt’s better to wait. Now is not the best time to start on your plans.
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The TowerExpect punishment. There may be retribution for sins.
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JusticeThis is an excellent time to look at yourself objectively and try to give an honest assessment.
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StrengthThe querent is trying to delay. This is not the best solution to the problem.
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TemperanceA black streak will soon begin. It will last a long time: be prepared for difficulties.
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DeathThe situation is tough, but there is still a way out.
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The MoonThere is too much lies around: be cautious.
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The SunThose who have fought hard can expect a reward.
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The WorldIf things are very difficult now, everything will become much easier in the future.
Wands and The Hanged Man combinations tend to be negative. Those who have set a specific goal should not expect success. Cups add a more positive character to The Hanged Man. However, the Five and Ten foretell difficulties. Swords and The Hanged Man is an ambiguous combination. It can indicate good news or material wealth, as well as financial problems or a project collapse. Numbered Pentacles cards together with The Hanged Man predict difficulties, while court cards suggest changes and rewards.
Reversed The Hanged Man in Tarot: main meanings
To answer the querent’s question, it is important to pay attention to the card’s position. Reversed The Hanged Man symbolizes upcoming changes. These changes will be radical and may divide life into “before” and “after.” The reversed Hanged Man in Tarot advises the person to prepare for solving important issues and to remember the importance of spiritual development.
- . In love, the reversed Hanged Man symbolizes conflicts that arise from partners’ unwillingness to make sacrifices.
- . In a career reading, the reversed Twelfth Arcana indicates the querent’s egocentricity. Their unwillingness to consider others and act for the benefit of society hinders their career advancement.
- . Regarding finances, the Hanged Man turned 180 degrees advises avoiding impulsive purchases.
- . The reversed Thief advises reconsidering treatment plans. Now is the best time to consult with several doctors simultaneously.
- . If The Hanged Man is a card of the day, its reversed position foresees conflicts and misunderstandings.
Larisa Mun in her work “All Secrets of Tarot” finds a religious undertone in the reversed Hanged Man Tarot. According to her view, this arcana in such a position indicates fanaticism or encountering a person who will try to impose their thoughts on the querent. Additionally, the reversed card can signify pettiness, manipulations, and lost illusions.
Tarot The Hanged Man: the card’s meaning in relationships
In the upright position, The Hanged Man in relationship Tarot readings has a rather negative interpretation. The card can indicate a toxic connection, difficult periods for partners, or a breakup. The crisis may be related to the fact that people are unwilling to compromise or make sacrifices. Manipulations are possible. Such a union is unlikely to be long-lasting. Do not expect “long and happy” times. The relationship is uncontrollable and lacks romance.
For those in love, The Hanged Man in relationships also does not promise anything good. Most often, it signifies unrequited feelings or an inability to express emotions. Single people should not expect changes; the search for a second half will continue for a long time.
- . to solve love problems with radical methods;
- . to work hard because relationships are a matter of effort;
- . talking and compromising – only sincerity and honesty will help improve the situation.
The reversed Hanged Man may signal an exit from a difficult relationship. Possibly, it indicates liberation from the destructive influence of a toxic partner.
Tarot The Hanged Man: characteristics of a man
A man endowed with the energy of The Hanged Man arcana is a unique personality. He has his own view of the world. Many people believe he is otherworldly. The twelfth arcana bestows sensitivity upon the man. He can read others’ emotions and understand the feelings of those around him. He is trusted. People come to him for calmness and good advice.
If a man with the energy of The Hanged Man in Tarot has a goal, he will dedicate his entire life to it. He is willing to make conscious sacrifices. At the same time, he is not characterized by excessive activity. He likes to weigh everything carefully and avoid reckless risks.
A man with the energy of The Hanged Man has a rich inner world. He has great potential for creativity. If he wishes, he can achieve tremendous success in his chosen field. However, many possessors of The Hanged Man prefer to wait for fate to give them a gift.
Among the shortcomings of a man with the energy of The Hanged Man Tarot are self-doubt. Without a goal, his life will lose all meaning. He is prone to apathy and passivity. He is willing to do anything to escape reality. A possible way out of this situation, in his view, is harmful habits.
The Hanged Man Tarot: a love reading
The bearer of the energy of The Hanged Man arcana is capable of empathizing with others. He is filled with compassion and understanding. He can read the emotions and feelings of those around him. It’s no coincidence that the card has another popular name – Sacrifice. People come to him for advice and reassurance. He knows how to listen. The Hanged Man is naturally forgiving. He reacts emotionally to what is happening in the world, which often makes it difficult for him to follow his path.
The feelings of The Hanged Man in Tarot can reach extreme levels. If a person has not found their place in life, they become apathetic. They tend to constantly feel anxiety, dissatisfaction, and emptiness.
A querent with the energy of The Hanged Man can be characterized as indecisive. He constantly doubts himself and his choices. If possible, he tries to shift responsibility onto others. This helps him avoid feelings of guilt if things go wrong.
Such a person also experiences guilt. It hinders his success in all areas of life. The Hanged Man tends to see himself as a victim. If something negative happens in his life, he becomes a magnet for such situations. This affects his self-esteem and his ability to express his feelings.
The Hanged Man Tarot: a reading on thoughts
Despite the frightening name, “The Hanged Man,” and the image of a man hanging by his legs, the card The Hanged Man does not evoke exclusively negative emotions. The young man’s face shows complete calmness. He has fully detached from his thoughts. It is clear that he hanged himself on the cross. Sacrifice is his own choice. He arrived at this decision after long reflection and understood that it was the only right choice.
The thoughts of The Hanged Man in Tarot, like his actions, are in a state of stagnation. This is not harmony or an external reflection of internal balance. It is acceptance of the situation with all its uncertainty. The Hanged Man seems to say: “I don’t care what happens around me: I will not move from my place.” The mind has long since tamed all passions.
Additionally, the twelfth arcana can symbolize an attempt to look at the situation from a different perspective. The person decided to break stereotypes and change their point of view. However, they may not succeed in achieving their goal. In that case, they will simply accept the failure and decide to meditate or think about something detached.
Описание аркана Таро Повешенный
- . The pose of the young man symbolizes the connection between the immaterial and the material, as well as the transformation of the earthly into the spiritual. He is hanging by his right leg. This indicates that he is prepared for any development of the situation.
- . The cross symbolizes the connection between the person and divine forces. This is also reflected in the position of the young man’s legs.
- . The presence of greenery on the cross symbolizes hope and new desires.
- . The light around the young man’s head signifies his wisdom and selectiveness.
- . The blue shirt represents the trance into which the young man has fallen.
The Hanged Man arcana in Tarot indeed signals submission to fate. However, it is not a punishment for sins; it is a conscious choice made by the individual to achieve a higher purpose. Currently, the person is in search of truth and the divine within themselves.
The positive characteristics of the twelfth arcana are emphasized in the work “Tarot for Beginners” by Teresa Francis-Chong and Terry Silver. It is not so much a dead-end situation without prospects, but rather a deliberate rest. The light above the head and the calm face symbolize the wisdom gained through experience. The pose of the young man is free, with legs unrestrained. This indicates that he is satisfied with how he spends his time.
The advice of the Tarot card The Hanged Man
The Hanged Man Tarot offers many pieces of advice: the querent should focus on the event to receive an answer to their question. However, the main message of the twelfth arcana can be summarized as follows: “Life chaos is a consequence of outdated views of the world. If you change your perspective, the situation will no longer seem so hopeless.” The card excludes the use of physical force. Everything will change on its own if you endure and wait.
Advice for various spreads can be found in the following table:
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RelationshipsIt is important to learn to understand your partner. It is essential to consider their interests and be able to compromise.
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WorkIt is not worth rushing to climb the career ladder. It is better to wait and ask yourself: “Am I working according to my calling?”
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FinancesThere is no need to rush. A little patience – your financial situation will improve.
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HealthThe card says: “Health needs to be protected. Do not make impulsive decisions.”
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FutureThe card advises to calm down and think calmly about what the querent expects from life. Finding one’s calling is difficult to do instantly. It takes time.
In the reversed position, the Hanged Man Tarot card gives the opposite advice. The Hanged Man in the reversed position advises to go straight ahead. It does not recommend going with the flow and waiting for a gift from fate. On the contrary, you need to use all available resources to solve the problem.
The Hanged Man Tarot: a spread on a man’s feelings
- . The man is infatuated with his partner. However, it is difficult to say whether there is room for love here. Perhaps it is just desire, and he is only attracted to the external appearance of his partner.
- . The man still does not fully know what he wants from a woman and how he feels about her. Therefore, the best course of action now is not to live in illusions and to keep a clear mind.
- . The man wants to be with this woman, but something is holding him back. If he behaves strangely, it is only because he cannot be near her for now. There is a struggle within his soul that he needs to resolve.
If the Hanged Man Tarot appears during a feelings reading about a man, it can be interpreted as: “It is not advisable to pressure your beloved now. You need to give him time to think everything over and make a decision. If he is too cowardly to take responsibility, then it is worth considering whether the game is worth the candle.”
The Hanged Man Tarot: meaning in a health spread
If the Hanged Man appears in a health reading, you should be cautious. The twelfth card often predicts some medical problems. Most commonly, it indicates an exacerbation of chronic illnesses. The meaning of the Hanged Man Tarot in health is related to blood vessels. Sudden blood pressure fluctuations and heart issues are possible. The card can also be interpreted as a warning about potential mechanical injuries and paralysis. Be careful to avoid accidents that could lead to fractures, dislocations, and other trauma-related problems.
The interpretation of the Hanged Man Tarot in health is closely connected with mental disorders. They may have a hereditary nature.
However, the card does not always promise physical illness. If the querent or someone close to them has been diagnosed with a disease, the card indicates that treatment has not yet yielded results. But this is not critical: there is still hope. You just need to wait, and the treatment will bear fruit.
The card also encourages listening to your body. In the reversed position, the twelfth arcana indicates that the querent is hindered by internal conflicts, preventing them from focusing on what truly matters.
The Hanged Man Tarot: a future reading
There is no need to fear if the Hanged Man appears in a future reading. At first glance, this shocking card does not always indicate radical changes that will bring something bad into life. Most often, the Hanged Man Tarot in the future has a neutral meaning. The arcana advises to pause and give yourself some rest. Unlike, for example, the Wheel of Fortune, the Hanged Man is more about contemplation than action. Like the figure depicted on the card, the querent should calmly accept the situation, no matter how difficult it is, so that emotions do not interfere with finding a suitable solution.
The young man on the card is depicted upside down. This suggests that the querent needs to look at the situation from a different angle. Perhaps, in the future, they will have to make a sacrifice. However, it will be voluntary and not too significant. For example, the querent might leave toxic relationships, cut off negative contacts, or abandon habits that hinder achieving their goal.
Since the future is hard to predict, the Wands card advises learning to adapt to any circumstances. Only then can internal limitations be overcome and the desired outcome achieved.
The Hanged Man Tarot: description of a woman
The Hanged Man Tarot: description of a woman
The Hanged Man card, regardless of the querent’s gender, describes an extraordinary personality. This is a unique individual whose perspective on their place in the world may raise questions among others. Such people are often called “strange.” Despite this, they are frequently sought after for advice because they can view situations from a completely unique angle.
In the world of Tarot, the woman with the Hanged Man energy is a person who has compassion for others. She can read others’ emotions. She understands mood swings and can listen and soothe with just a word. She is characterized by mercy. A woman with the energy of the Hanged Man is capable of forgiving her offenders. People are drawn to her because they know she is always ready to help. Such a lady often makes sacrifices for higher goals.
Endowed with the energy of the Hanged Man, she belongs to the bohemian circle. She is sensitive and unhurried. Creative professions suit her, where she can realize her potential and express her soul.
She prefers to accept situations as they are. “Going with the flow” is her motto. However, this can be a disadvantage in some cases. The lady may start living in illusions, show initiative, and refuse to take responsibility. It is easier for her to adopt a victim stance and blame others for her failures.
The Hanged Man Tarot: description of appearance
The Hanged Man Tarot: description of appearance
Arcana No. 12 depicts a person with an ordinary appearance. Such individuals can be seen on the street every day. They are not typically considered handsome, but their looks are not repulsive either. Most often, they are middle-aged—between 30 and 40 years old. Sometimes slightly younger.
The appearance of the Hanged Man is that of a melancholic. Their hair is light—usually blond or brown, but red hair is also possible. Their eyes are bright—green, indicating a rich inner world. To see their true beauty, one must look deeper. A touch of redness on the cheeks adds brightness. Their height is usually average, and their build is quite ordinary. Muscularity is not characteristic of the Hanged Man. They rarely have free time to visit the gym because they are busy solving others’ problems and listening to those around them.
From their appearance, it’s clear that the Hanged Man does not pay much attention to self-care. This does not mean they dress sloppily or are untidy. No, they simply do not chase fashion, do not buy expensive clothes, and do not try to develop a personal style. Most often, they buy the first thing that catches their eye. They do not pay much attention to price and prefer shopping at nearby stores. However, the desire to stand out from the crowd is still inherent in the Hanged Man. They might stand out through an unusual pendant or amulet.
The Hanged Man Tarot: personality traits
- . Compassion. The person with the energy of the Hanged Man is capable of empathy. They are merciful and do not hold grudges. They are willing to listen to both loved ones and strangers. Anyone in need can expect a helping hand.
- . Sacrifice. The individual is willing to serve others and a higher purpose. To avoid wasting energy and harming oneself, it is important not to direct it toward just one person. The goal should be global, and the sacrifice should not be self-destructive.
- . A unique perspective on the world. The Hanged Man has his own point of view on everything. Sometimes those around him do not understand him. However, everyone appreciates his original approach, which is why they seek his support and advice.
If we talk about the “negative” state of a Hanged Man Tarot personality, then passivity should be noted. The person becomes a victim. This is especially noticeable in toxic relationships. At the same time, they do not want to change anything. They become apathetic, start to feel disillusioned. They tend to escape from reality, which is much easier than making changes in their life. The Hanged Man hides from the world behind harmful habits. They complain a lot, suffer, and fall into despair.
