The Hanged Man Tarot divinatory meanings

Suspension and loss. Generally the client is either doing too little to achieve anything or she is waiting forlornly for someone to do something for her. Alternatively, actions are altruistic – for the benefit of others – a noble gesture, but when life is in self-sacrifice, leaving disappointment. The solution is to act from within for one’s own benefit rather than for others. After all, if you are not committing a crime (and that is the last thing on the mind of someone in this state), then it is down to the approval of others. When this card is prominent, the client may feel that there is no point to anything as whatever happens there will be a loss.

Book of Thoth: Hanged Man

Let not the waters whereon thou journeyest wet thee. And, being come to shore, plant thou the Vine and rejoice without shame.

Enforced sacrifice, punishment, loss, fatal or voluntary, suffering, defeat, failure, death.

If the Hanged Man is prominent in a reading there is often a sense of fatalism, waiting for something to happen. Also, a fear of loss from a situation, rather than gain, which may actually happen.