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The Hanged Man Tarot Card Meaning
Limbo • Vision • Perspective
The Hanged Man represents an important shift in perspective and consciousness. It may appear when the querent is feeling vulnerable. It’s a positive sign that you should step into the unknown and let it change you.
The Fool walks away from Justice thinking of the karmic balance of the Universe. She sits by a tree and ponders. Soon she becomes overcome by thoughts and in an effort to clear her mind, she climbs the tree. Before she can realize what she is doing, she is hanging upside down on a tree branch with her legs. In this temporary and reversed state, she asks herself “What lasts?” While trying to answer the question of what to grasp, she finds a small window between the spiritual and material, and the Fool reaches enlightenment.
This card can represent a feeling of finding peace in being able to not take the events of the world too seriously. If you get this card in a reading, suspend your sense of time to try out different perspectives.
The Hanged Man Reversed
Confusion • Ego • Criticism
The Hanged Man reversed symbolizes the same things as the upright card although something may be blocking the energy, such as confusion or bad advice.
Reversed, the Hanged Man can be a sign that you are too confident in a choice. You may feel like you’re the only one who “gets it.” What you may not realize is that the criticism you are facing is not saying to choose one thing over another, rather that you should explore and be open what could be great opportunities. This isn’t a card about life, death, or choices but suspension.
The Hanged Man reversed can also signify that you are placing too much importance on material wealth and not enough on your spiritual self. When the Fool hands upside down, she notices coins have fallen out of her pocket, but she’s ok with it. The Hanged Man reversed can show up when physical goods are controlling your life.