The Hanged Man tarot card shows a man dangling upside-down from one ankle. A light, almost like a halo, radiates behind his head.
Despite his uncomfortable position, he appears to be at peace with his situation. There is nothing struggling or sad about this card. In fact, The Hanged Man is very serene and accepting of this fate.
Along The Fool’s journey through the Major Arcana, this card represents the lessons learned when you take responsibility for your actions and then accept their consequences with grace. It represents the ultimate in letting go of what you can’t control.
You need to release the tight grip you hold on your ideas and the situation at hand. That won’t work anymore, so become the agent of change by making a sacrifice (i.e. by being the “better man”) to break the old patterns.
When you feel betrayed, like a victim, or ashamed of your own actions, look at things from a different point of view. You need a change of perspective.
This card represents the first phrase of the Serenity Prayer, “Please grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change…”
We can only control ourselves. Everything else we must release and accept with grace.
Keywords for The Hanged Man Tarot Card
- Sacrifice for the greater good
- Release and let go
- Look at things differently
- Wisdom, trials, intuition
Keywords for The Hanged Man Reversed
- It’s over and there’s no going back
- Selfishness
- Feeling like a victim
- Being framed, betrayal
Patterns and Correspondences of The Hanged Man Card
- Major Arcana = the lessons along your journey toward spiritual growth
- Zodiac sign = Pisces
- Planet = Neptune
- Element = Water
Keep reading for sample tarot readings using The Hanged Man card, but first…
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The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings for Love
If you are looking for love, The Hanged Man wants you to do something different. Change your hairstyle, try a new hobby, and change your online dating tactics. Whatever you’ve been doing, try the opposite.
You don’t need to change yourself, but you do need to change your patterns. What you’ve been doing so far hasn’t resulted in the relationship you want, so you must try something radically different.
If you are in a relationship with problems, put aside your own desires and focus on finding a solution that is best for the both of you. When you release your pain and let go of your resentments, you’ll be able to follow a new path to brings you closer together.
If your heart is hurting, The Hanged Man is advising to you release the past and let go. If you were meant to be together, it would have happened. You need to trust everything is working out exactly as it should be. There is someone wonderful waiting for you as soon as you move on from your heartbreak.
In all cases, you must accept the situation as it is, not as you wish it would be. It is painful when reality doesn’t match our desires, but the only way to move forward is to accept that much of the world is out of our control. With acceptance comes peace and clarity.
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings for Work
If you are having challenges at work, use your inner wisdom and intuition to sort through the situation. Take your time and look at things from a different perspective.
This would be a great time to put the career of someone else before your own. Mentor a rising star, sing the praises of someone deserving, or do some pro-bono work to help a cause you believe in.
Striving hard all the time will get you moving fast, but you may be moving in the wrong direction.
When you take action without first getting clear on your true goals and values, your energy will be scattered. Pull back and refocus on the essential.
The Hanged Man will guide you to understand the difference between “important” and “urgent.” Focus your time and energy on being effective, not just efficient.
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings for Health
Relieve the pressure from yourself and look at your health and fitness from a different point of view. If you’ve been doing lots of yoga, maybe it’s time to add in running or kickboxing to your routine. Or vice versa.
You can’t control everything about your health, of course, but The Hanged Man is here to advise you on what you can control. Release the rest and don’t worry about things you can’t influence.
Take full responsibility for what you can control (your thoughts, beliefs, words, choices, and actions) and let everything else go. If it’s outside of your control, it’s not your concern.
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings for Money and Finances
Taking care of your money can be boring. Annuities, insurance plans, and mutual funds are the parts of adult life that are necessary, but not sexy.
Understanding the basics of money is your responsibility. It’s time to look at your financial situation differently.
If you’ve been frugal and miserly, finally go on your dream vacation. If you normally treat others to dinner or drinks, let someone else pick up the tab. And if you are using your credit cards, imagine what it would feel like to have no debt at all.
Flip your attitude about your finances. When you are in control of your money, you have power over what you want to exist in your world.
Look at your financial choices through the lens of your values and make your choices from a place of power and abundance.
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meanings for Spiritual Guidance
This is a great card to help you focus your spiritual intuition. When you look deep within yourself, you’ll find the peace you’re searching for.
Everyone feels shame and embarrassment about their past (and often current) actions, choices, and situation. Everyone.
The Hanged Man is your spiritual reminder that the only path to enlightenment involves fully accepting the awful bits about ourselves. Only then can we move forward with unconditional self-love.
You don’t need to be selfless or a martyr to be spiritual. You just need to be fully yourself.
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