The Hanged Man: Understanding the Tarot

 

The hanged man is a symbolic card in the tarot that is well known and very popular. When someone refers to himself as the hanged man, it means that he is incapable of moving forward. This tarot card is part of the major arcana, and its meaning is important in understanding the tarot completely. This article will describe the meaning of the hanged man in depth.

The hanged man is symbolized by a man hanging upside down by one foot from a tree branch. This man is not looking worried; he is looking peaceful with his arms crossed. He is not flailing about looking for a way off; he is simply hanging in wait. This is symbolic of the meaning of this card because the hanged man is a card of release, change, sacrifice, and stillness. The hanged man hangs still with an air of calm about him.

The hanged man card represents release of ideas, emotions, struggles, and control. This card suggests giving up searching and trying and waiting. This card also suggests allowing fate to guide you instead of struggling against life. This is a card of letting go and acceptance. This is why the hanged man does not look worried; he is at peace with acceptance.

The hanged man is upside down, and this is symbolically important to the meaning of the card because he is changing his mind. His beliefs about life, the world, and priorities are changing completely, and he is seeing things from a new perspective. The hanged man has stopped and reversed directions; he is ready to face a new path with new found ideals.

Stillness is another aspect of this card, and through stillness the hanged man has found a new perspective. Stillness is importantly reflected with this card because it is needed as a means to breathe and just exist. This card suggests that you must stop actions and take time. The right opportunities will find you when it is time. Living in the moment is advised by this card.

Sacrifice is another meaning behind the hanged man, and it is apparent through the symbol of the man hanging. This man can not move forward or backwards; he is simply stuck to hang there and waste his time. He is sacrificing himself for a greater good, and putting others before himself. This card suggests the sacrifice of oneself for more than him, and this is why the hanged man does not try to struggle.

The hanged man is a card of change, inaction, reflection, sacrifice, and letting go. This card is a powerful symbol of how giving away can in return bring peace and a greater understanding of the world.