Card Type: Major Arcana
Card Number: 12
Star Sign: Pisces
Planet: Neptune
Element: Water
Other Names: Odin, Ifa
Key Meaning: Go With The Flow
The Hanged Man Tarot card means relax and go with the flow. Don’t try to force things just now.
A to Z: List of Tarot Cards
The Hanged Man Keywords
🥰 Upright: Wisdom, sacrifice, patience, prophecy
🥰 Reversed: Wait is over, burst of action
The Hanged Man Tarot Card Description
This description is based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck. Reversed or upright, this is one of the few cards in the Tarot deck which delivers a positive message whatever way it falls. A young man hangs suspended on his left foot from a tree, and the tree is in the shape of a cross (Tau cross, like Jesus). His hands are tied behind his back, but he does not appear to be suffering. Rather, he seems to be in a deep yoga pose trance, and has an aura of ecstasy.
He could be a depiction of the Norse god Odin, who suspended himself from a tree in order to gain knowledge. There is a sense of sacrifice here, has the man turned himself over to some higher power in order to empty himself to prepare for some major change?
When the Hanged Man turns up in your reading, it means you are in a state of limbo. You can’t go back to the way things were (and most likely, don’t want to), but you can’t move forward yet. It means, you still need more information or enlightenment before taking action.
Other keywords associated with this card: acceptance, limbo, letting go, new point of view, patience, re-orientating yourself, vision quest.
What Zodiac Sign is The Hanged Man Tarot Card?
The Hanged Man Tarot card is assigned the star sign Pisces. Pisces is represented by the fish glyph, and is the sign of sensitivity, intuition and dreaming.
Neptune, the ruling planet of Pisces, is assigned to the Hanged Man. Astrologers call Neptune the planet of spiritual and psychic enlightenment. This is where we go in meditation, sleep, prayer and dream.
In astrology, the Hanged Man is assigned to the twelfth house, which is ruled by Pisces. The twelfth house is where astrologers look for information on the unseen and hidden world. It governs, secrets, dreams and spiritual powers.
The Hanged Man card corresponds to the element water.
Cosmos: What does This Card Mean when You Ask About Spirituality?
This could be a dream or vision quest, or a rite of passage. The man in this card has willingly submitted to hanging upside down. This is the Tarot’s way of saying, that his way of thinking, spiritually inclined, is still considered upside down to many in society. Imagine believing that there is life after death, or that psychic powers exist and that we can connect with something or someone beyond the physical realm. This, is still considered upside down thinking to many. In fact, you may be laughed at for admitting such beliefs in smart company.
However, this card guides you to ignore the ignorant. You should submit to your spiritual path, and eventually you will show others that it is they, who are thinking the wrong way around.
Romance: What does The Hanged Man Tarot Card Mean when You Ask About Love?
When the Hanged Man turns up in a love reading, the meaning will depend on your question. For example, if you asked:
💖 Will I find love? This card means, it is a good time to assess your love life. Ask yourself the hard questions, like am I looking for love in the wrong places? Do I ignore red flags? Am I really interested in finding love? Once you address the issues, the path to love is open, if you still want it.
💖 Does he or she like me? The person is undecided, or not available to make any commitments to you at this time.
💖 What is the future of our relationship? Your relationship is hanging in the balance. Do you go forward with a new mindset, or go your separate ways? This card says, only time will tell.
CAREER: What does This Card Signify when You Ask About Work?
If your question relates to work, business, career or study and you receive the Hanged Man Tarot card, then here is your guidance:
⭕ You feel ready for a change in direction, but there is no need to rush just yet. Take your time and think things through.
⭕ Can you reassess your current situation and look at it from a different perspective? Maybe, you are missing an opportunity.
⭕ When you have finished your spiritual journey or studies, be prepared to pass your wisdom on to others.
Careers associated with this card include: Psychology, counseling, writing, psychic, medium, inspirational teacher, guru, pharmaceuticals, arts and music.
If you are considering hiring a candidate and this card appears, it means:
This candidate thinks first and acts with deliberation. They tend to perform better in an orderly, established environment, rather than a chaotic start-up.
MONEY: What is the Meaning of The Hanged Man in a Money Reading?
If you asked the Tarot about money and finances, and you receive the Hanged Man, it can mean:
💲 You are choosing to downsize or spend less money, in order to live more simply.
💲 If you have financial issues, then turn the problem on its head. There is another way to work your way out of this bind.
💲 Any delays in a major purchase or sale of a property or asset, turn out for the best.
Tarot Card Combination Meanings
“Hanged Man combined with The Sun” – Your path to Guru status
“Combined with The Moon” – You have brilliant psychic abilities
“Hanged Man combined with The Empress” – Falling pregnant after a long wait
HEALTH: What does The Hanged Man Mean when You Ask About Health?
In a health reading, the Hanged Man tarot card signifies patience. This may mean being patient with the healing process, it can take longer than you expect. Alternatively, ask yourself, what is my body trying to tell me with this pain? Listen to your body.
Health conditions associated with this card include: allergic reactions, panic attacks, bunions, corns and blisters. This card rules: Immune system, feet and allergies.
YES/NO: Does This Card Mean Yes or No in a Reading?
❓ When you ask a Yes or No question and this Tarot card turns up, then the answer is not clear. You must wait.
TIMING: Does The Hanged Man Predict any Particular Timeframe?
🕔 This card is only a timing indication when you specifically asked a timeframe question. For example, if you want to know if something will happen, and when, then you need to draw two separate cards. These are in fact, two separate questions. This is a fundamental principle to understand if you want an accurate tarot reading – and it is core to my teaching in my book Tarot in 5 Minutes.
🕔 The Hanged Man card represents February 19 and March 20. If the card is reversed, timing will be longer – perhaps up to a year later, same date.
Karina’s Timing Method:
I am using a traditional major arcana timing method here, based on the zodiac sign assigned to each card.
What is the Meaning of The Hanged Man Tarot Card Reversed?
When the Hanged Man is upside down then he is released from his binds and set free. The waiting period is over and you can move forward. This may mean:
✔️You have the information you seek. Now you can make a wise decision.
✔️ You have an ‘aha’ moment, a flash of brilliance. This idea is the one you’ve been waiting for!
✔️You stop struggling with a fruitless situation and move on.
✔️Other keywords associated a reversal include: delays over, making a commitment, taking charge.
Share This Article
Hanged Man Symbolism
Read Next! – Hanged Man Symbols
Previous Card: Justice Tarot Card | Next Tarot Card: Death Tarot Card
Complete List: Tarot Card Meanings
Karina, author of Tarot in 5 Minutes.
