12 - The Hanged Man
Note: This guide is based on the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck. Other tarot decks may have unique meanings, or some of these meanings may not apply.
| Upright Keywords: | Patience, waiting, perspective, rest, sacrifice, trials |
| Reversed Keywords: | Impatience, impulsivity, being stuck, unnecessary sacrifice, selfishness |
A man hangs upside-down from a T-shaped gallows bedecked in leaves, tied by one ankle. His free leg is bent at the knee, resting between the tied leg and the post behind him. His arms are folded behind him. A halo of yellow light surrounds his head.
The man is wearing a light blue tunic, bright red tights, and tan shoes. The sky behind him is a light gray. The expression on his face is calm, serene. Overall, the scene is relaxed and unhurried.
In Readings: Upright
The Hanged Man is calm and collected. He isn't panicked despite his precarious position. It's almost as though he's chosen to be in this spot, dangling by his ankle at an unknown height. His self-sacrifice may be for a greater cause, or it may be for the gift of enlightenment.
This card's appearance is often a sign to take pause. Rushing goes against the nature of the card and its serene figure. Being upside-down may imply that there's more to a situation than can be seen at first glance, and there's a need to find another perspective in order to fully understand.
Card Combinations:
Suggestions for possible meanings of this card when combined with others.
Queen of Pentacles: It's good to be babied sometimes. Take a minute to let yourself be cared for.
Ten of Cups, reversed: If you can no longer conceptualize a happy life, pause for a breath to recenter yourself. Realign.
The Hierophant, reversed: Sometimes, the greatest rebellion is to do nothing at all.
Eight of Swords: You'll have to endure a bit of anxiety over feeling powerless in order to get what you want.
In Readings: Reversed
When reversed, the serenity remains, but it becomes a frustrating obstacle to overcome rather than a deliberate choice in search of wisdom. The Hanged Man is no longer here of his own volition; he's stuck, trapped by what once might've been a worthy sacrifice. Now, it's just a burden.
This Hanged Man is done waiting. He's ready to break out of his bonds and spring into action. He is unwilling to wait a single moment longer, even if patience would benefit him.
Card Combinations
Suggestions for possible meanings of this card when combined with others.
Knight of Pentacles, reversed: You'd like to be chill and focus on where you are, but you're too antsy to sit still long enough.
Five of Swords: It's time to stop waiting and go beat those assholes at their own game.
Page of Wands, reversed: The urge to break out and move on is going to be dampened severely by the fact that you've waited too long, and now you've lost interest in what you were waiting for.
Four of Pentacles: The spending restrictions you put on yourself sounded good at the time, but now you could really use a little treat.
Other Perspectives
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