We do not see things as they are, we see them as we are.
-Anais Nin

Suspensions, surrender, perspectives, letting go

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Overview

Sacrifice

While he looks like he is there against his will, The Hanged Man is here of his own invention. Sacrificing his name, honor, and body in the name of enlightenment. The way he hangs upside down is symbolic of gaining new perspectives. His legs are in the shape of Four, which represents his stability and rigidity in his position. Life may move around him, but the man will be here suspended in time, with the intention to see his endeavor to the end.

Symbolism

The T Shaped tree is barren up to its trunk, but foliage is beginning to regrow around the rope suspending The Hanged Man. His legs are in the shape of 4, one of his ankles free. A Halo of light emits from his head light a grand scheme. The man is wearing blue top with a red belt and pants. His hands are tied around his belt by the red belt around his waist.

Meaning

Gaining new Perspectives

Don’t judge a book by its cover, this man is not being hanged for his crimes. Instead he is sacrificing himself and his ego, willingly surrendering in order to gain a new perspective. The Hanged Man reminds us surrender is not always shameful, especially for the greater good. In this case, this man is a Martyr.  

Victory through defeat

Sometimes the fastest way to victory is through defeat. Cease fire, relinquish control, stop fighting. The price of your ego is cheap compared to what you are subjecting to its mercy. Allow cool down time and try to forget the situation. One battle lost is insignificant if the war is won in the end. Cool off after your defeat and contemplate your next moves. After all you wouldn’t have had to surrender if you were never in this position to begin with.

Influence on Suites

During a reading, pay attention to the majority of the cards that are present. Depending on the number of Tarot cards of each suite, the meaning of the card can take a different shape.

A spread dominated by cups with The Hanged Man indicates the emotional interest you are chasing is over-romanticized and over-inflated and can prove to be disastrous. Yet, giving into a pursuer maybe pleasantly delightful.

With a lot of wands in a spread, there is more planning and reflection needed before you execute your pursuits. Be mindful of any contracts or documents you sign. Wait for an honest, transparent solution.

If Pentacles are predominant, the sacrifices that you have made are in the name of greed, and you need to evaluate where you are and want to be. Follow your bliss to happiness not wealth

With Swords surrounding the spread arguments and conflicts in your life may be coming to a climax. Maintain a passive nature with every accusation against you.

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The Hanged Man Reversed

“It is not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters”
– Epictetus

Resisting surrender, indecision, stalling

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In the Reversed position, you can turn the meaning of The Hanged Man upside down and inside out, or it can be perceived as something else. Reversed cards can be read a few different ways. If you want to know the source of the concept of why this card is defined the way it is, check out the article “Reading Reversals” in Chapter 6 of this knowledge base.

If you simply want to know the reason and not the method of deciphering, here are some possible ways to read the card in reversed.

Meaning

Cross Roads

Welcome to the crossroads, and hail Hecate for that, if she is one of your deities. The time for action is in the balance, and you have to figure out if you’re going to take the easy way or the hard way. How long have you been stuck in suspension? Have you not determined your way by now?

Time is of the essence. The lantern is burning out.

Spinning your tires

Despite your best efforts, you are not going anywhere. There is nothing to show for all that sweat equity you have invested, in something. There’s nothing you can do about it, you must make the decision on whether you’re going to keep pushing or if you’re going to wait for fruition to come.

The Wheel of Fortune  in combination with the hanged man reversed can be an indicator that you are pushing something only divine timing has a verdict on. If you are pushing a relationship, a new job or otherwise, the light will shine eventually.But now is not the time for this pursuit. You must move now.

Time for action

Here comes your moment to shine, the opportunity has arrived and the windows and doors of your dreams have opened. But this means, now. No hesitancy, no complacency. You must start moving or be left behind. Your

Loveless

The progression of a romantic relationship is stuck in the balance between you and another party. Whether it’s lack of compromise, or someone weighing their options, or balancing the pro’s and cons.

Essentially, if this isn’t a decision between two parties on the other person’s behalf, it’s that the relationship growth is reaching a plateau. Maybe you are somewhere between the phases of “we’ve been dating for a year” and “we’re moving in together’. Whatever the case maybe, soon there will be an offer, or an action to move to the next level. It’s up to you whether this is serious enough for you to take it,  or walk away. A sacrifice must be made, are you going to do away with your freedom or your partner?

Refusing responsibility

No one wants to be the bad guy, and many people avoid shouldering the blame. The hanged man reversed in this position is saying, you’re refusing to take responsibility for something— instead you are scapegoating someone else. The situation requires a sacrifice, whether that’s you or someone else. In this kill or be killed world, you will be damned if it’s you.

Truths VS beliefs 

It seems your reality is blending with your spirituality, and this is not always a positive thing to deal with. You’ve been viewing things from a new perspective for along time, long enough for all the wells of resources in your life to run dry. You’ve put so much faith and stock into the universe and have had the evidence it will provide for you as it has before. Now, the universe is asking you to stand on your own.

Conversely, you embody so much of your beliefs it has closed your mind off completely. The only doctrine that’s right is your own, which has stagnated your spiritual growth. This was never what you stood for in the quest of higher knowledge. Reevaluate your stubborn ideals, everything has a time and place.