High Priestess and Hang Man

Both cards can mean that a couple is separated from each other or someone can not be or start a relationship with someone else. But what is the subtle difference between the two?

The High Priestess is about using your intuition, listening to your gut instinct, 'parting the blind' between this world and the supernatural, being more mentally open.

The Hanged Man is about voluntary sacrifice, difficult life-changing lose-lose situations, enlightenment through hardship, &c.

NO, I meant what is the difference between the separation for these cards.

I made an error I only listed 2 cards instead of 3.

I meant couple separation or a single unable to make a relationship with another with...

High Priestess
Hang Man
Hermit

Whenever I do love readings with myself or others who are separating or being separated from their loved one, I get these three cards in the result/outcome position. I know they generically mean separation but what kind?

I don't see them as meaning separation in that sense at all.

The High Priestess is quite spiritually oriented and not primarily associated with male/female relationships. In fact, she's thought of as virginal.

The Hanged Man is also spiritual and you might see him as suspending worldly relationships, as priests do. A male/female relationship has really nothing to do with him, either.

And the Hermit is certainly not involved in a male/female or sexual type relationship, as he's purposely removed himself from the society of other people altogether for a prolonged period of time.

None of them is unable to make a relationship with another or is necessarily separated from the other party in a love relationship because they've chosen a lifestyle not including that sort of thing.

If you're getting them as the outcome in relationship readings, then my interpretation for them would be that they mean total abstinence from love entanglements and concentration on spiritual things instead or, in the case of the Hermit, in removing oneself from social activities for a prolonged period of time for introspection so as to discover who they are without the complication of a love relationship or socialising with others.

But still, I don't consider them as meaning separation from a significant other in the sense that you mean it.

Lyric said:

The High Priestess is quite spiritually oriented and not primarily associated with male/female relationships. In fact, she's thought of as virginal.

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I heartily disagree with that view of the High Priestess. She is very much a desirable and desiring woman (see the thread about the HP and sex appeal). Her "virginal" aspect does not mean sexless - it means she has no need for men - she can choose a man. Or a woman, for that matter. Or she can choose to do without for a while. She is sex personified - but on her own terms, in her own time, her own world, behind that veil of hers. Men fear her but are attracted by her, women fear her too - and even hate her, because she is free. She doesn't need a relationship to be complete, she is complete within herself. She knows all that, which is why she wears a little half-smile. She is a woman who can say - "I don't need you, but I love you and for now I am with you." That is what makes her so mysterious - she can't be held or grasped, anymore than water can, or the moon. It drives men wild - women too

That's the essence of the High Priestess energy. Her ability to choose relationships - or not - rather than her need for relationships (that's more an Empress thing). That's why she's so often seen as "the other woman", though unfairly, I think.

The Hanged Man is a totally different archetype - not male or female. He is the sacrifice that results in a new perception of things, he goes through suffering and out the other side, into a new reality. In a relationship reading, he can mean - things are in waiting, suspended, in limbo - or there has been a sacrifice. It can fall either way: the presence of the Hanged Man means some kind of constraint. Unlike the High Priestess, he does not choose.

Hermit

The Hermit can also mean being single again ~ available again ~ and it is a card that also signifies time - in particular time unravelling at a slow pace - so does the Hanged Man when referring to time - a slowing down of energies and passions - reflection and thought - often deep thinking is signified by the Hermit - and very much can relate to thinking about the what, why, when and how of the relationship - soul searching that could lead to a natural moving away from the circumstances of togetherness implied in relationships ~

Okay let me get this straight.

Priestess= is a person who knows that someone likes them but they are not going to acknowledge that person's desires to be with them.

Hanged Man= a person who probably desires to be with their admirer/lover but there is something in their life that prevents them for doing so. Let's just say working too much, long distance relationships or perhaps they have not ended a bad relationship they are already in with someone else. For instance, a person who has not divorced their spouse yet but is thinking about it, however, when and if they do, they already have an idea of wanting to see someone in particular as soon as they separate themselves from their current significant other.

Hermit= this person wants to take a break from a particular admirer/lover or not date at all (be celibate) in order to find out why they like this person or just review objectively why they are in the types of relationships they usually get themselves into.

Does anyone agree or disagree?

BLFO said:

Okay let me get this straight.

Priestess= is a person who knows that someone likes them but they are not going to acknowledge that person's desires to be with them.

Hanged Man= a person who probably desires to be with their admirer/lover but there is something in their life that prevents them for doing so. Let's just say working too much, long distance relationships or perhaps they have not ended a bad relationship they are already in with someone else. For instance, a person who has not divorced their spouse yet but is thinking about it, however, when and if they do, they already have an idea of wanting to see someone in particular as soon as they separate themselves from their current significant other.

Hermit= this person wants to take a break from a particular admirer/lover or not date at all (be celibate) in order to find out why they like this person or just review objectively why they are in the types of relationships they usually get themselves into.

Does anyone agree or disagree?

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Wow BLFO, I just love the explanation for the hanged man.. He's stuck, unable to literally make a move towards their love, suspending, holding his feelings all to himself.

Well, I am just guessing. I need clarification if it is true from an expert tarotist. Someone more experienced I mean.

BLFO said:

Priestess= is a person who knows that someone likes them but they are not going to acknowledge that person's desires to be with them.

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Oh, she can acknowledge it - but not to the whole world, and only to the one who wants her if she wants that person too. She is not vain, sexually. She keeps herself to herself until she is ready to give herself - at which point she does so entirely. But again, in private.