LEARN TAROT

XII. THE HANGED MAN

His suspended position is a sacrifice that he needed to make to progress forward.

Water. — Secrets, emotions.

Sacrifice, suspension, letting go, perspective, waiting.



Meaning

Sacrifice, new perspectives, and waiting for the right time. Mainly designates waiting and suspension to achieve success or to wait for the proper opportunity. Taking action is not always the best solution. Refraining might bring you more benefits. Suspend certain actions. Actions or decisions which need to be properly implemented are likely to be postponed even if there is an urgency to act at this particular moment. It would be ultimately the best if you are capable of stalling actions to ensure that you have more time to reflect on critical decisions. Pause, delay. Things cannot be rushed. Relax, and just be. Self-limiting. You will ultimately feel refreshed and grateful that you were derailed from your former track. You will become free from the issues around the time of your hanging. You will come to realize in time how you collaborated with the problem. You will be released a little wiser. Let go, surrender the ego.

His position is a sacrifice that he needed to make in order to progress forward - whether as repentance for past wrongdoings, or a calculated step backward to recalculate his path onward. Accept the consequences of your decisions. Go through it, get it over with, and free yourself up for new pursuits. He is actually likely positioned there by his own free will, based on his serene expression and free left foot. Martyrdom. Reflect.

This time he spends here will not be wasted, it is part of his progression forward. Realign your path with something that is more fulfilling to you. Instead of trying to force or pressure something to come into fruition, use this time to see how your perspective changes. Contemplation.

A change in perspective may be needed. Let go of some beliefs to allow new ones that bring growth. Unorthodox, reversal, turning upside-down.

His upside-down state can also symbolize the feeling of those that walk a spiritual path, for they see the world differently. Reflect on spirituality.

Feeling confined, trapped, needing release. Lack of ability to help oneself through independent action. Surrender illusions of control. There is no avenue to regain control until the situation has passed. It is a good time to be philosophical, study the position you find yourself in, and to form resolutions for the moment you become free again.

Reversed Meaning

Sacrifice is misplaced or wasted. The seemingly noble deed is a useless gesture. There will be no benefit to the greater good; you won’t experience an expansion of consciousness so don't put yourself in that position. Learn the lesson.

You feel as if you are sacrificing a significant amount of time while getting nothing in return. Standstill. Stagnation.

Possible fear of sacrifice, avoiding it.

The period of waiting may be over. You should now be equipped to handle the new. You may have shed old beliefs. If you haven’t, they will be conflicted with new truths. This will delay spiritual growth. Be active.

Maybe don’t take the next step on something you’ve been hesitant about.

Other: Materialism, no drive, traitor, discontentment, disinterest, impulsiveness, negative patterns, stalling, detachment, apathy.