The essential meanings of this Major Arcana card from the Rider-Waite-Smith deck.

Upright: The Hanged Man upright signifies surrender, patience, and a new perspective. It suggests a pause in action – perhaps you feel in limbo – but this time is not wasted. By hanging upside down, this figure sees the world differently, indicating that you may need to let go of old ways or sacrifice immediate progress to gain insight. Upright, The Hanged Man encourages acceptance of what you can’t control and trust that a fresh outlook or insight will come if you are patient.

Reversed: The Hanged Man reversed suggests stubbornness or an unnecessary delay. You might be resisting the perspective shift the card calls for, or perhaps you feel you’ve waited long enough and are eager to move on. In reverse, this card can be a push to stop stalling and make a decision. It may also hint that clinging to a certain viewpoint is hindering your progress – try to release your grip on how you think things should be and consider alternative approaches.

Three Possibilities

Love: The Hanged Man suspends time so you can see your heart from a new angle. If your love life feels in limbo, it is a sacred pause meant for reflection rather than action. By surrendering control — perhaps letting go of old expectations or sacrificing pride — you gain a fresh perspective on your relationship, opening the way for a more compassionate and enlightened love once this stillness passes.

Career: In your career, The Hanged Man signifies a lull or period of uncertainty where progress seems stalled. Instead of forcing outcomes, you’re encouraged to step back and observe, maybe rethinking your approach or sacrificing short-term comforts for long-term gains. This in-between time, though uncomfortable, grants you a novel outlook — one that could inspire a breakthrough or a change of direction once the pause is over.

Spirituality: Spiritually, The Hanged Man is the seeker who attains enlightenment by surrender. Hanging upside down, he perceives the world anew — teaching you to relinquish ego and control, and to trust the flow of the divine. In this act of letting go, a halo of insight appears: you undergo a profound shift in consciousness, emerging with greater spiritual wisdom and peace.