Tarot has been a part of Barbara Moore's personal and professional lives for nearly twenty years. Right from the start, tarot intrigued her with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, history, mystery, and magic. She has studied under...
Early decks did not show the serene image we find today. Those first decks depicted the Hanged Man as a traitor. Tarot evolved, and now the symbol has taken on a different meaning. Modern images show a quiet, accepting figure, sometimes with a holy glow or tranquil expression. Many people think of this card as sacrifice, but that is not quite it.
This card is a type of surrender that is willing. There is no flailing or fighting, no struggle or stress; instead, it is a period of letting go, of releasing, of doing nothing. Time is suspended, and we must simply observe, reflect, wait, and accept.
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The Universal Waite card shows a halo around the Hanged Man's head, representing that this experience of observing and reflecting leads to spiritual understanding. He hangs from a living tree, symbolizing that this situation connects him to divine wisdom and is also rooted to earth and will have practical applications.
Core meaning: Willing surrender to an experience or situation.
The Legacy image shows the Hanged Man gracefully suspended between sky and water. The hourglass lying on its side echoes this idea: time has, for now, stopped. The mask falls from his face. He has no persona to maintain and no roles to play. He drops coins, symbolizing his willing release from his attachment to the things of the world—at least for now.
The Shadowscapes card also eliminates the idea of hanging. This Hanged Man swings from a branch, allowing the tree to wrap around him as he seeks to become one with it. He wants to absorb and embody its wisdom and strength. The ankh hanging from the tree's upper branch is an Egyptian symbol for life, illustrating that, at this time, his life is suspended.
