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