‘The Hanged Man’: Modern Tarot Card Meanings (RWS System)
‘The Hanged Man’ Upright, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
‘The Hanged Man’ Upright (Modern Meanings)
Upright Keywords: Surrender, Suspension, New Perspective, Sacrifice, Pause, Letting Go
Element: Water
Yes/No: No (it is a time for pause, not action)
In A General Context
A period of pause, surrender, and gaining a new perspective. A project being put on hold, a voluntary break from a routine, a "limbo" state between life stages, a moment of profound realisation.
In a Love/Relationship Context
A relationship in a state of suspension or a necessary pause. Putting a wedding on hold, a "let's take a break" conversation, sacrificing your own desires for the good of the partnership.
In a Money Or Career Reading
A career pause or a project being deliberately suspended. Taking a sabbatical to reconsider your path, a project being put on the back burner, a necessary financial sacrifice for a long-term gain.
In a Spiritual Context
The spiritual practice of surrender and the sacrifice of the ego. A deep meditative state, a "dark night of the soul" that leads to enlightenment, letting go of control and trusting in the Divine.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: Pause. Surrender. Let go of control. Look at the situation from a new perspective.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: A necessary suspension of activity. A period of waiting. A profound shift in understanding.
As Obstacles: A state of limbo is blocking progress. A situation is stuck and cannot move forward. A necessary sacrifice is being avoided.
As Hidden Energy: An unrealised need to pause and reflect. A new perspective is available if you are willing to surrender your current view.
As Resources/Alliances: The ability to pause and see things differently. A willingness to make a necessary sacrifice.
‘The Hanged Man’ Reversed, Rider Waite Smith tarot deck.
‘The Hanged Man’ Reversed (Modern Meanings)
In A General Or “Open Reading”
Resistance to change, stalling, or a needless sacrifice. A stubborn refusal to let go of a bad situation, procrastinating on a major decision, a sacrifice that leads to nothing.
In a Love Or Relationships Reading
Stagnation or a refusal to make a decision in a relationship. Staying in a dead-end relationship out of fear, a refusal to commit or to break up, a pointless argument that goes nowhere.
In a Money Or Career Reading
Stalling on a major career decision or a project that is stuck in limbo. Refusing to leave a job you hate, a project that is going nowhere due to indecision, a financial sacrifice that was a complete waste.
In a Spiritual Context
A resistance to spiritual growth. A refusal to surrender the ego, a spiritual practice that has become stagnant, trying to force a spiritual breakthrough that is not happening.
In Common Spread Positions
As Advice: A warning against stalling. It is time to stop resisting and make a decision, or to stop making pointless sacrifices.
As (Ultimate) Outcome: A period of frustrating stagnation. A decision will be endlessly delayed. A sacrifice will be made for nothing.
As Obstacles: Your own stubbornness and resistance to change. A pointless delay is preventing progress. A refusal to see the situation differently.
As Hidden Energy: A hidden fear of change is causing you to procrastinate. A secret resistance to letting go is undermining the situation.
As Resources/Alliances: Help comes from finally making a decision. Realising a sacrifice is pointless and cutting your losses.
The RWS Hanged Man in Key Card Combinations
Combinations with Major Arcana
The Hanged Man & The Sun
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Sun (↑): A period of pause that leads to a joyful breakthrough. A sacrifice that results in great clarity and success.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Sun (↑): A refusal to pause and reflect, leading to a missed opportunity for happiness. Stalling a decision that would lead to success.
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Sun (↓): A necessary sacrifice that does not lead to the expected joyful outcome. A period of waiting that ends in disappointment.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Sun (↓): A situation where a stubborn refusal to change leads to a loss of vitality and joy. A period of stagnation and pessimism.
The Hanged Man & The Moon
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Moon (↑): A period of deep introspection that reveals hidden fears and illusions. A necessary pause to navigate a confusing situation.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Moon (↑): A refusal to face your fears, leading to a state of paralysis. Stalling a decision because of a hidden anxiety.
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Moon (↓): A period of surrender that leads to a secret being revealed. A new perspective that exposes a deception.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Moon (↓): A situation where a stubborn refusal to act is caused by deep-seated, irrational fears. A period of paranoid and isolated stagnation.
Combinations with the Suit of Pentacles
The Hanged Man & The Four of Pentacles
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Four of Pentacles (↑): A necessary financial sacrifice. Putting a project on hold to conserve resources. A period of waiting due to a lack of funds.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Four of Pentacles (↑): A stubborn refusal to make a necessary financial sacrifice. Clinging to control and preventing progress.
The Hanged Man (↑) & The Four of Pentacles (↓): A sacrifice that leads to a release of financial blockage. Letting go of control to allow for new growth.
The Hanged Man (↓) & The Four of Pentacles (↓): A situation where a fear of both change and financial loss leads to complete paralysis. A pointless sacrifice of resources.
Additional Notes On The Hanged Man
A.E Waite’s Original ‘Hanged Man’ Card Meanings
Upright: "Wisdom, circumspection, discernment, trials, sacrifice, intuition, divination, prophecy. Reversed: Selfishness, the crowd, body politic." Pictorial Key To The Tarot (1911).
RWS ‘Hanged Man’ Symbolism
A.E Waite’s Hanged Man card depicts a figure hanging upside down from a T-shaped cross made of living wood. He is suspended by one foot, while the other is bent behind his knee. Despite his position, his face is serene and composed, and a halo of light emanates from his head, signifying a spiritual awakening. He is not being punished; he is in this state of suspension by his own choice. The scene is an allegory for the spiritual principle of surrender and the wisdom that comes from seeing the world from a completely different point of view.
Question: Is The Hanged Man a card of punishment?
No. This is a common misinterpretation. Unlike the figure in some older decks, the Hanged Man in the RWS system is in his position voluntarily. His serene expression indicates that this is a willed sacrifice for the purpose of gaining a higher wisdom, not a punishment.
Meditations on ‘The Hanged Man’
What is within my control vs outside of my control? What belief or perspective do I need to sacrifice to live more in alignment with Divinity?
