The Hanged Man - Reversed

[AlmostSilent]

Had the Hanged Man come up in the reversed position during a spread I did this afternoon, and it stumped me. It didn't fit with the other cards, or in the position it was drawn, I just could not work it out. I'm thinking it might be my interpretation of the card itself, so I was wondering what you guys thought. 

 

How owe do you interpret/ feel about this card? 

[Barleywine]

I have kind of an iconoclastic view of the Hanged Man reversed. Upright, the man is going inward to experience aspects of himself that he might not otherwise encounter (I hardly ever read it as "self-sacrifice" but gaining a different perspective is a useful analogy). Reversed, he's returning to the surface, bringing with him the insights he gained. So I see it as a positive development. My understanding is heavily influenced by Aleister Crowley's idea that the man is being submerged in the waters of initiation, which imparts occult knowledge and wisdom. Crowley didn't use reversals, but I see it as the "outer" component of that experience, or what is brought back into the light of day.

Edited August 22, 2019 by Barleywine

[Raggydoll]

To me, the Hanged man reversed often signifies a situation where a person would benefit from getting back on their feet and moving on with their life. The suspension (and the contemplating) isn’t serving its purpose anymore and it’s time to make a choice. There’s also the sense of not wanting to admit that there’s another perspective or approach that is making more sense. There can be reluctance and procrastination, or even depression. But it can also represent a person who has realized all these things and is getting ready to turn around their situation. It all depends on the context and the surrounding cards! 

[AlmostSilent]

12 minutes ago, Barleywine said:

Reversed, he's returning to the surface, bringing with him the insights he gained

I really like this interpretation, and I admit I hadn't thought of it that way. Most of what I've read has painted it with a much more negative leaning. 

 

 

[AlmostSilent]

16 minutes ago, Raggydoll said:

The suspension (and the contemplating) isn’t serving its purpose anymore and it’s time to make a choice.

Honestly this is the closest I've come to finding an interpretation or idea that might fit with how I drew the card. It might be one of those things where you look back and go "oh, that's what it meant" but I guess we'll have to wait and see on that front. 

[Cookie]

Knocking on the Doors of Perception & there's no one home.