| The Hanged Man features one of the most | | | | The hanged man has to sacrifice previous notions |
| fascinating and poetic images of the whole tarot card | | | | about the way things work, all his belongings, and |
| deck: a man hanging upside down from a tao cross | | | | even health and physical comfort in order to become |
| (sometimes a tree or bar) by one foot, his hands | | | | enlightened. The Hanged Man tarot card is not about |
| bound or tucked behind his back. He is suspended in | | | | life or death or making choices or even predictions |
| mid air, his free leg forming the number 4 with his | | | | about the future. It is simply about viewing all |
| other leg. | | | | existence with the kind of innocence and openness |
| Unexpectedly, he is not struggling to escape and | | | | that only babies have. Hence, the Hanged Man is a |
| instead has a look of complete satisfaction on his | | | | symbol for rebirth and transformation. |
| face. What is the story behind this strangely calm | | | | Those who relate to the hanged man the most have |
| hanged man? | | | | typically suffered a big loss. Divorce, death, a job |
| 1) The Number Four | | | | change, growing old, getting sick - all of these can |
| Four is the number that rules a person ego, implying | | | | trigger someone to rethink everything. If we can be |
| that the hanged man is suddenly surrendering his own | | | | like the Hanged Man, at peace with what we have |
| consciousness and will for a much higher one. | | | | and not sorrowful or angry about what we don't |
| 2) The Story | | | | have, then no matter what life throws at us, we will |
| The story is inspired by the Norse god Odin, who | | | | always evolve and become better, happier people in |
| hung from the world tree for nine days straight after | | | | the end. |
| a spear wounded him. As a result, he was forced into | | | | 4) Your Next Step |
| a temporary state of enlightenment. Odin had give up | | | | While we are hanging upside down, we are paused in |
| control to gain insight. | | | | life, but the stage is now set for us to adapt to new |
| Often, change is falling from the hanged man, | | | | changes and progress. Imagine yourself standing at a |
| resembling his loss of worldly possessions and thus | | | | crossroads, not ready to pick a path. |
| worldly desires. Remember how his hands are not | | | | First, take a step back and observe what is going on |
| free? This shows that he is unable to take action or | | | | in your life without the intention of making any |
| grab at things he may want. Also, he is not holding | | | | conclusions or decisions regarding your future. The |
| onto anything! | | | | Hanged Man encourages non-action. Sometimes, it is |
| As the man hangs between the ground and the | | | | NOT necessary to do something, and in fact it is |
| cross, he has a moment of absolute clarity, consisting | | | | foolish and often destructive to act just for the sake |
| of new insights that render him carefree. His | | | | of acting. |
| materialistic self is transformed into a spirit that is | | | | Patience is the most important virtue for you to |
| unconcerned with practical, day-to-day worries. | | | | practice right now! There are periods in your life |
| But the hanged man would not always be in this | | | | where all you can and should do is wait. This may |
| suspended position; he will eventually return to the | | | | mean a lot to you if you are waiting on your |
| earth and become a part of society again. However, | | | | significant other or love interest to make a move or |
| even after his epiphany has worn off a bit, he will | | | | if you are waiting to find out if you got that new job. |
| hopefully be changed forever. | | | | Just as the hanged man, life might be out of your |
| 3) Are you hanging upside down? | | | | control right now. The key is to accept this fact and |
| How might the Hanged Man be a metaphor for your | | | | not fight it; fighting will be futile after all. |
| life? Are you going through a big change that is | | | | 5) The Reversed Hanged Man |
| requiring you to sacrifice relationships, money, | | | | There are two sides to every coin! The conventional |
| possessions, financial or emotional security, or even | | | | Hanged Man encourages tarot card readers to relax, |
| your ideas about how the universe works? | | | | while the reversed Hanged Man encourages action. |
| If so, then you have a stunning opportunity to take | | | | The man who says he will start up his business |
| a glimpse into what a life without earthly wants and | | | | tomorrow, not today; the woman who says she will |
| needs, unattached and free from all prejudice and | | | | pursue an education tomorrow, not today; the |
| judgment, is like. While this state of consciousness is | | | | nicotine addict who says he will quit smoking |
| only momentary, it can influence the rest of your life | | | | tomorrow, not today... these are all people who might |
| and give you a new, powerful freedom and bravery | | | | be in need of a good change and should stop |
| to pursue hopes and dreams you never even | | | | waisting their time reflecting on the mysteries of life! |
| considered before. | | | | |