The Major Arcane of the Hanged Man in Alejandro Jodorowsky’s Marseille tarot and in the Rider Waite tarot shows us a man who is suspended from a tree, upside down. Sometimes there are people who call him «The Hanged Man», but this is not correct, since the hanging is happening on his foot and not on his neck.
Since The Hanged Man is in a suspended position, he does not configure any type of execution, nothing terrible or deadly, but is simply watching, and has a meaning that will vary greatly if the card appears in a natural position or in an inverted position.
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The man represented is hanging upside down and seems to have found the moment to implement the balance imposed by the previous card, that of Justice. For many people, lying on their stomach is usually a normal position. Those who practice yoga will have done so often, for example.
The Hanged Man character still gives a feeling of relaxation, also due to the radiant halo that surrounds his head and indicates his state of well-being. Hanging from a tree translates as deep attachment, the radiant light that is attachment to spiritual values.
He cares little for the opinion of others who see him in an unusual position and continues on his way, regardless of the comments. The number XII attributed to the card can be interpreted in numerology as I and II, Magician and Pope, or as XXI, the World. The world above and the hanged man below. There is also a similarity in the posture of the legs with the card of the World. The Hanged Man card refers to points of view, the way a person looks at the world. The position of the Hanged Man’s left leg, which being bent at 90° is for those who look at it horizontally, is like a bridge between the previous card and the next, between Justice and Death. The justice of who we are and where we begin to move forward.
Meaning of The Hanged Man in the Marseille Tarot by Jodorowsky and Rider Waite
The Hanged Man is the twelfth card of the Marseille tarot that represents a young man suspended on a rope with his hands tied to his shoulders. In the scene, the rope hangs from a beam resting on two branches, each with 6 buds, an important symbolic detail.
The young man’s head is turned downward as if to indicate submission. His serene face is almost in contradiction, as if to indicate full acceptance of his state. In fact, this arcane symbolizes precisely the choice of a condition that leads to accepting an alternative form after the maximum energy commitment previously implemented. But the energy has been lost and this absence places Arcanum XII in opposition to what precedes it, The Force.
Here there is a radical change: The Hanged Man suggests a mystical phase, which has as its prerogative the renunciation of the external world and visible things. Therefore, it is enough to give free rein to the rationality that governs all situations, now is the time for a truce to relieve tension, to wait, prudence and, as we will say about sacrifice.
This card represents introspection, the ability of each of us to ask ourselves questions and find the answers in the deepest being: in this phase a profound change takes place, which rejects selfishness and also reserves some sacrifices, useful however for discover yourself. Sometimes it suggests a tormented phase that will end after a long labor.
The hanged man can indicate suffering in the broadest sense of the term, therefore he also suffers from the inability to make a decision; In a word: doubt.
The Hanged Man is a card with multiple interpretations: if on the one hand it symbolizes the need to renew, give up something for a better future, on the other it can reveal very painful aspects, which can be the consequence of sacrifices and renunciations. The pause indicated by The Hanged Man is almost always of a spiritual nature and in many cases underlines a conversion, an inverted situation, which however changes little by little.
In the affective field, the hung man refers to a platonic love or a severe test, perhaps unrequited, or even a reflection on a certain relationship. At work, the Hanged Man indicates a career gained with slow steps, achieved through perseverance, or a difficult situation that will lead to change.
In a way, the Hanged Man is also a card that can reveal dangers, especially when the sacrifice was in vain and led to inconclusive events. Changing ideas and beliefs can sometimes not be so simple.
The Hanged Man on the Right
The Hanged Man in an upright position indicates that you are in an unhappy situation, stuck in a rut or negative state of mind from which you need to break free. It can also be interpreted as uncertainty about which way to go. Consider stepping outside of yourself for a minute to change your perspective and figure out what’s holding you back.
When the Hanged Man card is turned upside down, which is actually its reverse, it has the value of a person attached to deep values, a person who sees things from another point of view, sometimes pausing to reflect. however, always preparing for a luminous solution, finding the confidence and courage to stand firm in one’s own convictions. The consultant does not want manipulation or pressure if this card comes up during an online tarot reading. Your intention is clear, you need calm and reflection while you wait for the right moment to reach your goal.
The Hanged Man in Health
Just like with your finances, it’s time to approach health and fitness from a different perspective. For example, if you’ve been doing weight training at the gym, maybe it’s time to add something like yoga or tai chi to your routine. Regarding your physical health, The Hanged Man is telling you that everything is fine and not to worry about what you cannot control.
The Hanged Man in Love
If you are in a relationship, the Hanged Man suggests that you may be unhappier with your partner than you think. While it can be painful, it’s time for you to reconsider your relationship and possibly say goodbye to your current lover.
At the same time, this card could be a warning that your partner feels this way towards you and approaches the relationship from a new perspective, deciding if it is worth continuing. This is not necessarily negative, as your partner may realize that he has wronged you in the past and wants to rekindle the romance.
If you are single, drawing the Hanged Man could be an indication that you need to let go of people, thoughts, or situations that keep you unhappy. If you still yearn for an ex-lover, The Hanged Man is telling you that it is time to let go of these feelings, which at this point represent a negative thought pattern that only causes you pain.
The Hanged Man on the Money
Now is the time to reevaluate your relationship with money. If you have been stingy, start sharing some of the wealth; doing so could be more beneficial than you think. Alternatively, if it always seems like you’re opening the tab for everything, sit back and let someone else do it for a change. Essentially, you must do the opposite of what you have been doing with your wealth.
The Hanged Man at Work
You may be stuck in a rut and fed up with your job or career. Now is the time to see if there is anything realistic you can do to change the situation. If there isn’t, then you need to back off and bide your time, things will eventually change for the better, just maybe not as soon as you expect. This might be a good time to start looking for a new job or line of work.
The Hanged Man upside down
Have you made recent decisions that are giving you doubts? The Hanged Man in reverse tells you that you may have made a poor choice, but there may still be an opportunity to go back and correct your mistakes.
In this position, The Hanged Man indicates that you are jumping from one bad situation to the next without thinking things through, and that your impulsiveness has not done you any favors. Take some time to consider why you have been acting this way, then go back and try to repair any damage you may have caused.
When the card appears backwards, we see the Hanged Man leaning against a tree waiting for something, it means precisely that, that he has expectations and is influenced by them. He is in a relaxed position, almost wanting to make a good impression on others, afraid of his opinions. Instead, it is time to move, to free ourselves from the chains that surround us due to the interference attempts of others. It is difficult to adapt to the situations you are experiencing.
The Hanged Man in Health
If your health has been suffering, The Hanged Man suggests that you find new ways to deal with what ails you. If you’ve been restricting your health care to your family doctor, it may be time to start thinking outside the box a bit: Consider supplementing treatment by visiting a naturopathic doctor, traditional Chinese medicine doctor, chiropractor, nutritionist, or another alternative health provider.
The Hanged Man in Love
If you are in a relationship, The Hanged Man in a reversed position indicates that you could be in serious trouble. Yes, your love life can be salvageable, but not if you are not prepared to deal with the problems it faces. Perhaps you are afraid of being alone or having to start over with someone new.
If you are single, The Hanged Man is telling you to stop making the same relationship mistakes. It’s time for you to start learning from them if you want to find a new partner and have healthier relationships in the future.
The Hanged Man on the Money
Don’t let the fear of potentially negative consequences hold you back, you just need to look at your financial situation from a new perspective and you’ll be fine. Consider visiting a financial specialist and see if they can provide you with new insight.
The Hanged Man at Work
The Hanged Man informs you that your career has stalled because you lack the will or resolve to address the issues responsible for its stalling. It’s time to take back control of your professional life.
The Hanged Man: Combinations | special editions
In order to fully understand what the Hanged Man card conveys to us, we must pay attention to the other cards it appears alongside. It is for this reason that it is so important to know the different combinations available with the rest of the Major and Minor Arcane.