The Hanged Man is the 12th Trump in the Major Arcana.  The traditional meaning of this card is self-sacrifice for the greater good, faith in the integrity of one's actions, a period of waiting or transition and finding knowledge within.  This card can represent the inner journey, psychism and meditations.  It might be suggesting that it might be good to wait for a better time to make a move.  Be patient and wait for the right opportunity or energies to manifest.  Wait for external circumstances to be right.  When the time is right, you'll know and be able to take full advantage of the situation.

Actually considering how I'm feeling today, I think the most concrete meaning of this card is what I needed to hear.  I woke up this morning feeling crappy - congested and wheezy.  I had a meeting but when I woke up I really had to consider what was more important - taking care of myself for one more day or dragging my sniffly behind into work.  I decided to stay home.  In reality what this means as far as work goes is that some things are in suspended animation until I get back.  And I'm sorry about that but I really didn't think braving the cold weather made sense for me.

On a more metaphorical (and metaphysical) note, I think the Hanged Man is a message that I need to take some time and consider where I am right now, what I want to do and if the timing if right.  I think the biggest thing this is referring to is my issues about looking for another job.  Right now things are okay at work.  I seem to be below the radar and I've been out of the office doing assessment visits and training, etc.  So that looks good for me and hopefully reflects well on my supervisor.  School is going well but right now my job also gives me enough leeway that I can deal with my assignments without feeling overly stressed.  And things have been a bit more interesting now that I'm focusing a bit more on the quality assurance aspect.

On a personal note, this may be about the steps I need to take to get myself started doing professional Tarot readings.  I was proud of myself on Tuesday when I gave someone my card and told them to call me for a reading.  Even if she never calls me I feel like I've taken an important step putting myself out there.  So I'm proud of myself.  As The Hanged Man seems to be telling me - I'll know when the time is right.  In fact when I was looking through some of the meanings associated with this card what came to mind was the phrase from Field of Dreams - "If you build it they will come."  And I think that's what I need to be confident about.  I have to put my energy out there and let the Universe know that I am a professional Tarot reader and once I'm clear in my intentions the right clients will come my way.