The Hanged Man is perhaps the most esoteric card in the tarot deck. There is something profoundly unsettling about the card. The Man looks meditative, but his position uncomfortable and reminiscent, of course, of hanging and death.

EyeTarot.com defines the Hanged Man as follows:

Surrender, Sacrifice, Reversal
• An emotional surrender and/or opening up
• Letting go of control
• Sacrificing something: putting others' interests before one's own
• A reversal of priorities or attitude

From an emotional standpoint,The Hanged Man represents the ultimate meditative state. It's a reminder that, in this case, the solution is found in letting go. In a relationship reading, an emotional surrender could mean letting go of the rational, ego-based justifications and explanations and letting emotions rise to the surface for reflection.

The Hanged Man moment is the moment when you and your lover have been having an argument (pros, cons complete with intellectual and philosophical justifications) for the past 2 hours and you are still at an impasse. Your chest is tight, anger is welling as is hopelessness because you are talking passed one another with no bridge in sight. Suddenly, the dam bursts so to speak and emotion floods to the surface, with you both realizing the argument isn't about facts, but about hurt feelings. The opening up and the emotional honesty takes the dialogue in a whole new, productive, direction.

In a Hanged Man moment, it often feels like the bottom is falling out from under you (this can last for a few minutes or much longer). It's like a 'little death' (thus the imagery of the hanging) and is often followed by a realization and/or a feeling of peace.

From a 'solution' standpoint, The Hanged Man is the 'think outside the box' card. In a career reading it can signify the need for a radical embracing of the opposite of what you would normally embrace. Been trying to figure out how to beat a competitor? Try a partnership instead. He who was enemy becomes ally.

Looking for a change in career? What's something you don't consider work at all? What if, for instance, you built a career around a hobby instead? Pleasure becomes 'work'.

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Nikki Harris

Author's Bio: 

Nikki Harris is a professional freelance writer and longtime tarot enthusiast. In her work, Nikki enjoys combining her philosophy background with metaphysical explorations. She currently serves as VP, Marketing for EyeTarot.com -- the world’s most powerful, free tarot reading website.