Understanding Reversed Cards
When a tarot card appears upside down in a reading, it's called a reversed card or reversal. Far from being "bad" or negative, reversals add nuance and depth to your tarot practice. Think of them as the shadow side of the card's energy—not dark or evil, but the hidden aspects that complete the full picture.
Reversed cards have been part of tarot tradition for centuries, yet they remain one of the most misunderstood elements of card reading. Many beginners fear reversals, assuming they automatically mean something terrible. This couldn't be further from the truth. Reversals often provide the most insightful and transformative messages in a reading.
Consider this: life isn't just sunshine and rainbows. We experience setbacks, internal struggles, delays, and moments when we need to look inward rather than outward. Reversed cards honor this full spectrum of human experience, making your readings more authentic and helpful.
When Reversals Occur
Reversed cards can appear in several ways during a reading. Most commonly, they occur when you're shuffling and the cards naturally turn upside down. Some readers intentionally mix reversals into their deck before shuffling to ensure a good distribution of upright and reversed cards.
If you're new to reversals, you might choose to work only with upright cards initially, then gradually introduce reversals as you become more comfortable with basic card meanings. There's no right or wrong approach—what matters is what serves your learning and your querents best.
Some readers never use reversals, preferring to find the full range of meanings within the upright position. Others swear by reversals for the added layers of interpretation they provide. Experiment with both approaches to discover what resonates with your reading style.
Five Methods for Interpreting Reversals
There isn't just one way to interpret a reversed card. Different methods work better for different cards, questions, and situations. Here are five proven approaches you can use individually or combine for richer interpretations.
Opposite or Shadow Meaning
This is the most traditional approach to reversals. When using this method, you interpret the reversed card as expressing the opposite energy or shadow aspect of its upright meaning.
For example, The Sun upright represents joy, success, and vitality. Reversed, it might indicate sadness, setbacks, or loss of confidence. The Ten of Cups upright shows family harmony and emotional fulfillment. Reversed, it could suggest family discord or feeling emotionally unfulfilled.
This method works particularly well with cards that have strong, clear upright meanings. However, be careful not to automatically assume reversals are negative—sometimes the "opposite" is actually more positive. A reversed Nine of Swords might indicate recovery from anxiety rather than worse mental anguish.
Blocked or Delayed Energy
Sometimes a reversed card indicates that the card's energy is present but blocked, delayed, or struggling to manifest. The potential is there, but something is preventing it from flowing freely.
A reversed Ace of Wands might suggest creative inspiration that hasn't yet found expression, or a new project facing unexpected obstacles. Reversed The Magician could indicate having all the tools you need but lacking confidence or clarity to use them effectively.
This interpretation is especially useful when the querent is feeling stuck or when progress seems slow. It validates their experience while suggesting that the desired outcome is still possible with patience and persistence.
Internal Rather Than External
Many reversed cards point to internal processes rather than external events. While the upright card might describe what's happening in the outer world, the reversal focuses on inner work, private thoughts, or personal development.
Upright Strength might represent showing courage in public situations. Reversed, it could indicate the need for inner courage or working on self-confidence privately. The Hermit upright suggests seeking wisdom from teachers or guides. Reversed, it might point to finding answers within yourself through meditation or introspection.
This method is particularly valuable for personal development readings and when the querent is going through a period of self-reflection or spiritual growth.
Extreme or Excessive Energy
Sometimes reversals indicate that the card's energy is present in an extreme or unbalanced way. Instead of the healthy expression of the upright meaning, the reversed card shows too much or too little of that energy.
The King of Wands upright represents confident leadership. Reversed, it might suggest either domineering behavior (too much) or lack of direction (too little). The Two of Pentacles upright shows healthy multitasking. Reversed, it could indicate either dangerous overcommitment or avoiding responsibilities entirely.
This approach helps identify when balance needs to be restored in the querent's life. It's particularly useful for court cards and cards dealing with emotions or behaviors.
Warning or Caution
In this method, reversed cards serve as gentle warnings or suggestions to proceed with caution. They highlight potential pitfalls or areas that need attention before moving forward.
A reversed Seven of Cups might warn against being overwhelmed by too many choices or getting lost in fantasies. Reversed Wheel of Fortune could suggest that changes are coming whether you're ready or not, encouraging preparation rather than resistance.
This interpretive style is helpful in decision-making readings and when the querent is about to embark on a new venture. The reversal doesn't necessarily predict doom—it simply suggests mindful awareness of potential challenges.
Choosing Your Interpretation Method
How do you decide which method to use for a particular reversed card? Consider these factors:
The nature of the card itself: Some cards lend themselves better to certain interpretations. Major Arcana cards often work well with the internal/external method, while court cards frequently benefit from the extreme energy approach.
The question being asked: Relationship questions might call for the shadow/opposite method, while career questions often work well with the blocked energy interpretation.
Surrounding cards: The other cards in the spread can provide clues about which reversal method makes the most sense. If other cards suggest internal work, the internal focus method might be appropriate.
Your intuition: Trust your first impression. Often, your intuitive response to seeing a reversed card will guide you toward the most relevant interpretation method.
The querent's situation: Consider what you know about the person's current circumstances. Someone going through a difficult time might benefit more from the blocked energy interpretation than the shadow meaning approach.
Practical Examples by Suit
Major Arcana Reversals
Major Arcana reversals often point to significant internal shifts or spiritual lessons that need attention. Let's explore some examples:
The Fool Reversed: Rather than indicating recklessness (opposite meaning), this might suggest fear of taking necessary risks (blocked energy) or being too cautious when adventure calls (internal focus on fears rather than possibilities).
Death Reversed: Could indicate resistance to necessary change (blocked transformation), fear of letting go (internal struggle), or clinging too tightly to the past (excessive attachment to what's ending).
Temperance Reversed: Might suggest impatience with gradual progress (blocked patience), internal struggle with moderation (internal vs. external), or extremes in behavior that need balancing (excessive energy).
Minor Arcana Reversals
Minor Arcana reversals often relate to everyday challenges and practical matters:
Cups Reversed: Emotional issues turned inward. Three of Cups reversed might indicate feeling left out of social groups or struggling with friendships privately.
Wands Reversed: Creative or passionate energy that's misdirected. Eight of Wands reversed could suggest communication delays or messages being misunderstood.
Swords Reversed: Mental energy that needs redirection. Five of Swords reversed might indicate learning from past conflicts or choosing peace over being right.
Pentacles Reversed: Material or practical matters needing attention. Ten of Pentacles reversed could suggest family financial stress or questioning traditional definitions of success.
Reading with Reversals
When conducting readings that include reversals, consider these practical tips:
Start with the upright meaning: Before diving into reversal interpretations, remind yourself of the card's upright meaning. This gives you a foundation for exploring how that energy might be expressed differently in reverse.
Consider the card's position: In spread positions representing the past, reversals might indicate unresolved issues. In future positions, they could suggest potential challenges to avoid or internal work that will be important.
Look for patterns: Multiple reversals in a reading might indicate a period of internal transformation, significant challenges, or the need for patience as situations develop.
Balance negative and positive: Don't assume all reversals are problematic. Sometimes they offer relief from difficult situations or indicate that challenges are resolving.
Trust the story: Let the reversed cards contribute to the overall narrative of the reading rather than treating them as isolated warnings or problems.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Many readers make these common errors when working with reversals:
Assuming all reversals are negative: This is perhaps the biggest misconception. Reversed cards can be just as positive as upright ones—they simply express energy differently.
Being too rigid with interpretation methods: Don't force every reversal into the same interpretive box. Be flexible and let the card, question, and situation guide your approach.
Ignoring reversals entirely: Some readers flip all reversed cards upright, missing valuable nuanced information. If reversals appear naturally in your shuffling, consider what message they might have.
Over-complicating the meaning: While reversals add depth, they shouldn't make readings incomprehensible. If you're struggling with a reversal, start with the simplest interpretation and build from there.
Forgetting about dignity: A reversed card surrounded by positive cards might have a different meaning than the same reversal surrounded by challenging cards. Context matters.
Remember, mastering reversed cards takes practice and patience. Start with one interpretation method that resonates with you, then gradually experiment with others as your confidence grows. The key is developing a consistent approach that serves both you and those who come to you for readings.
Reversed cards aren't obstacles to overcome—they're valuable tools that make your tarot practice more complete, compassionate, and authentically helpful. Embrace them as allies in your journey toward deeper understanding and more meaningful readings.