The Hanged Man Reversed?

[milanna]

Hey! I'm a tarot newbie and every time I get the The Hanged Man in reversed I get a bit confused. Since I'm new, I only know the very basics of the meanings. I know it means missing an opportunity, refusing change, detachment, and stagnation. I typically only get it as a clarifying card but I just simply can't connect with it. If anyone could give me a more detailed explanation for this card, I would greatly appreciate it!!

 

for reference i use Modern Witch Tarot and the card being called "Hanged One"

[Yaroslav]

Hi @milanna

Sometimes the meaning is staring us right in the face and we just can't see it.

Maybe the card is advising "Don't get hung up about it"

 

Just a thought

[Aditi]

1 hour ago, Yaroslav said:

Maybe the card is advising "Don't get hung up about it"

Pretty much sums it. Don't get blocked in this. 

 

In my experience, I noticed the card when there was a situation where I was supposed to just let go and not try to "control" every aspect of it. 

 

It indicated surrendering to what is, what comes (as opposed to trying to change it based on my opinions or resisting it). 

 

 

[Newpath]

Maybe it’s telling you not to be stuck in suspense and to take action. Depending on the question and position of course.

[DanielJUK]

Hi @milanna just to let you know I have moved your thread to individual card meanings where it is a better fit for a single card discussion 🙂

 

This is a great card in most decks to look at upside down because it has such clear symbolism reversed.

 

Here is the card you are talking about from the Modern Witch, I pulled it out of my copy.....

 

 

The person looks like they are being crucified on a cross when the card is reversed because instead of hanging, they are now upright. That circle of light around their head or halo reminds me of in renaissance paintings. They often have a halo on Saints, Angels and Christ, religiously significant people. So this card reversed is someone who is a bit of a Martyr, they exaggerate their suffering. This is like oh I have made so many sacrifices but nothing good has come! Perhaps they wallow in pity because they are stuck. There is also a casualness of this card, look at their feet and legs, they are not even doing the crucifixion properly, perhaps they don't have the interest or motivation. It's half-hearted as an attempt.

 

To solve this reversed card, you have to turn it upright. The upright Hanged Man learns to accept their suspended position, reflect whilst having to wait and gains new perspective. This is a different problem solving approach to the reversed who just wants to complain about the situation and about how bad things are and make a big show of that. You might not be able to make progress or change in your life right now or make a decision because you are trapped. Also sometimes this reversed card is about a lost of faith that you just have lost confidence. The person in this card is ready for action and wants to look good in what they are doing but they are stuck and doing things half-hearted. I like Mary Greer's take on this that "he looks ready for action but with nothing to do".  This is such a card of procrastination but not following through with any action or attempts to create change or movement.

 

Just some ideas for you 🙂

[Bodhiseed]

My first thought as I look at the card is that she isn't grounded, just floating. So perhaps she's not seeing reality, only what she wants to see.

[Eric13]

...or, instead of loosing money you may be able to save some. 

[katrinka]

On 12/9/2021 at 4:12 PM, Bodhiseed said:

My first thought as I look at the card is that she isn't grounded, just floating. So perhaps she's not seeing reality, only what she wants to see.

 

My first thought was why would anyone wear pantyhose - even fishnets - with sweatpants? And why is her neck transparent? I tried to convince myself that she's wearing a choker, but the line is too straight...

I agree that this card is worse when it's reversed. I don't have any context, but whatever interpretation you go with, it's a card of stasis. Nothing moves. So reversed, you have something that could move but won't.

[Bodhiseed]

6 hours ago, katrinka said:

 

I agree that this card is worse when it's reversed. I don't have any context, but whatever interpretation you go with, it's a card of stasis. Nothing moves. So reversed, you have something that could move but won't.

I agree. Upright, the Hanged Man has the potential to see from a new perspective. Reversed, he thinks he sees the situation with clarity, but because he doesn't, he's stuck.

[Grizabella]

Just wanted to add a thought here----she doesn't have her feet on the ground whether the card is upright or reversed.  But I'd say the card says you don't have your feet on the ground and you're seeing things differently but not in a positive way when the card is reversed. You may be just seeing what you'd like to see in a wishful way.  When the card is upright it indicates seeing things from another angle in a more positive way.

[Chariot]

I agree with @Bodhiseed.  In my tarot card meanings notebook book which I've been writing for many years, the reversed Hanged Man can be interpreted as: "Bogged down in old ways of seeing and doing things. Lack of insight.  Need for a new perspective, reflection, and flexibility.  A secondary meaning can be that life is in suspension just now, creating discomfort.  Beware of flailing about when you should be still."

I don't tend to interpret this card, either upright or reversed, as any kind of sacrifice or punishment.  I started with that kind of meaning, but it never seemed to work.  The readings were always calling for a new perspective, so I've erased the notion of sacrifice from the way I interpret this card now. 

Edited August 21, 2022 by Chariot

[amanda414]

Another interpretation that I've seen used of The Hanged Man reversed is 'to be vindicated.' I looked up the meaning of the word vindicated the other day, and it means to be cleared of any wrong doing. In the past, I used to simply interpret the reversal to mean to stick to one's position and think they are right, but hence it could mean both - to stick to one's position with the notion that they are right, and thus be vindicated of something in the process.

[caliway]

Suspension 🙂 being blocked, but blocked because you need to change something about how you're moving forward, before you can move forward. A new perspective is needed, or is coming, or is being offered here. 

[TarotSparks]

not being grounded,like floating sort of, maybe even the card of indecision, waiting for external guidance, trying to make up your mind, but you are letting go of your power, waiting for the right time.

Or, I could see it as a person being trapped in their old behavior and habits. They are stuck in the past and have no idea how to change or progress. They are not open to new ideas and believe themselves to be doomed to remain stuck.

 

[Chariot]

On 4/6/2023 at 3:21 AM, caliway said:

Suspension 🙂 being blocked, but blocked because you need to change something about how you're moving forward, before you can move forward. A new perspective is needed, or is coming, or is being offered here. 

Yes, that's how I see it as well. The subject didn't necessarily choose to be taken out of the mainstream (like the Hermit might indicate), and might be feeling resentful or angry about it just now—because they don't like feeling so restricted.  But since they ARE stuck where they are at the moment, on their own, hanging upside down, unable to do anything, might as well take advantage of the new perspectives this new view and lack of action offers them?   When they do get cut down and action resumes, they might have changed how they think or view a situation. 

This upright card carries the advice (for me anyway) : stop flailing around, when you should be still.

Edited April 11, 2023 by Chariot