The Hanged Man

Major Arcana
Written By Quinn

Traditional Meaning

Suspension, things being hidden, waiting for something to happen. Mysticism and artistic inspiration.

Going Deeper

The Hanged Man is one of those cards that can throw a spanner into a positive reading. Whilst many connect this card to the spiritual, the reality is it's no more spiritual than you make it. This card is far more likely to appear if you have an ongoing situation requiring stupid levels of passivity. Many people under the influence of The Hanged Man are just watching life pass them by. Often, a lover is somehow absent; they may be waiting for their return or just wanting more out of a relationship with someone unavailable or unreachable. In other situations, the person may be spiritual but viewing life through a cloud of delusion. Whilst The Hanged Man is associated with the invisible realms, it describes the place of what is yet to be born and doesn't show how evolved we are on planet earth. We can see the card representing drug users and alcoholics as often as someone on the path of spiritual enlightenment. This card indicates that nothing is as it seems, and it's highly likely that somebody somewhere is simply putting on a performance, i.e. just playing a part rather than actively participating. This must be borne in mind if the situation concerns a relationship. When The Hanged Man appears, something is being gestated; it could be an idea, a book, a building or anything else for that matter, but there is no guarantee of manifestation into reality. Timing points to a few months away or maybe the end of winter. This card stresses that some things can't be forced, and you must allow it to become fully functional before bringing it out into the light of day. Elusive, boundaryless and impossible to pinpoint sums this card up quite well. If The Hanged Man appears in response as to whether a relationship will come back together, my answer is that it's highly unlikely or no, not in this lifetime, unless you want to wait an inordinate amount of time. I personally find this card frustrating, but I’m a Leo with an Aries moon; we don’t do waiting. There can be so much hope flying around, but really? There's just no need for martyrdom. It doesn't get you anywhere, ever. Surely there's a positive, you say? I'd say it depends on the level of fire and air in your birth chart. If you're heavy on either, I can guarantee you'll get bored and should find something else to occupy yourself with. Yes, you can surrender. You can practice forgiveness and let go but if you're expecting to see physical results with this card, forget it.

Astro Insight

Neptune. Because Neptune has such a long transit through the signs, you could be looking at a long-term situation. Check transits to natal Neptune. 

Examples With Other Cards

With the High Priestess and The Moon, it almost certainly indicates a life of service to the Great Mystery. With The Empress: a future pregnancy. If many wand cards are present, a lot of spiritual energy is around. Cups: The six is an old situation coming back into your life..there may be different players involved, but the game is the same as before. The Seven of Cups is delusion and distraction; nothing is likely to manifest. With the Two of Swords, a need to take the blindfold off and face things head on.

To Help Yourself or Give Advice To Clients

Urgh, I find this card irritating. There can be so much hope flying around, but really? There's just no need for martyrdom. It doesn't get you anywhere, ever.

Sugilite

Common Associations

The element water. The colour sea green. The psychic energy of clairvoyance and oneiromancy. The stones are sugilite but also amazonite.

 

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