Reversals and Win a Tarot of the Sweet Twilight
Shall we get right into it? How do you feel about reversals? Do you read them? If so, how? Do you have seventy-eight other interpretations that you use? Do you have a system that you apply to or a modification for the upright meanings? Do you not use them? Why? What do you do when one comes up upside down? Because no matter how careful you are, they somehow manage to get mixed up all the time.
It seems that people have fairly strong opinions about reversals. Years ago, when the American Tarot Association used to certify readers, I went through the certification process. That process included creating and using your own reversed meanings. I did so, of course, because I used to be an annoying over-achiever. But I never liked using reversals.
Not using reversals makes me feel like a tarot poser, much in the same way my lack of enthusiasm for the Qabalah makes me feel. Every few years, I try using reversals again. And every few years I try loving the Qabalah (my most recent effort included reading Lon Milo DuQuette’s The Chicken Qabalah, which almost did it, but only because he said it didn’t matter how I spelled it). The Qabalah never sticks and neither do reversals.
I always say something like, you don’t need reversals because there are cards in the deck that can say what needs saying. And I mostly believed that. Until recently.
Paul Quinn, author of Tarot for Life, was on the last episode of Tarot Talk (a radio show on Blog Talk Radio with hosts Raven Mardirosian and Georgianna Boehnke). He told a story that kind of made my head explode.
He told a story about how he studied with Rachel Pollack and Mary K. Greer during their annual weekly summer class at the Omega Institute. On Monday, his first day of class, they told the students that on Thursday the entire class would be doing readings for all the rest of the students at Omega who were taking other classes. He apparently has much Virgo in his chart and determined to be the very best reader. He took meticulous notes all week. When the time came for the readings, he noticed that he left his notebook in the classroom, which was locked and no one was around who could open it.
He pulled a card, asking what kind of energy should he bring to his readings since he <shudder> didn’t have his notebook!?!?! The card he pulled was the 8 of Pentacles reversed. The cards were telling him to not bring all his Virgo-note-taking-energy. Which was good, since he didn’t have his notebook. He was meant to read unfettered from his safety net of notes and “shoulds” and “do it this ways.”
That card reversed in this circumstance made so much sense to me. I tried to think what card upright would be able to communicate the same thing as poetically and accurately. The Fool? Nope, not the same thing, really. The Wheel? The Hanged Man? 9 of Pentacles? Knight of Swords? No. No. No. And no.
Now, after all these years, one man’s amusing anecdote is forcing me to rethink my formerly very comfortable dismissal of reversals.
Perhaps I should pull out my copy of Mary K. Greer’s Complete Book of Tarot Reversals.
While I’m muddling through, leave a comment about your opinion regarding reversals (do you use them, why or why not, and if so, how?) and be entered into a drawing for a free copy of the Tarot of the Sweet Twilight. If you are unfamiliar with this deck, see my review here. Entries will be closed at midnight CST on October 28. The winner will be posted on Thursday, October 29, along with a special Halloween treat…an interview with a very special tarot artist.
I guess using reversals is a personal choice, when I do use them I tend to see them as red flags marking something that really needs attention. However, not reading reversals is good too. Because when reading the cards upright (if you don’t use reversals), then you should be looking at the whole spectrum of possibilities within the card, that relate to positive, neutral and negative. How you interpret depends on the position, the question and the surrounding cards.
I both do, and do not, use reversals. It usually depends on who I’m reading for, what they’re asking (if they’ve told me), and mostly on whether I feel I should or not. If I get the feeling they’re relevant and important to the reading, I’ll include them. Otherwise I just turn them upright again.
It depends on the person or question at hand. I really don’t care for them because sometime it seems so neg. depending on the other cards; and I might not be in a mood for that heavy a deal or if the person can handle it. I prefer upright though.
This works for me and I have followed it for 20 years:
1. If the question is quite general (and particularly also if you do not know the subject well), do a quick reading with no reversals.
2. Then ask for the question to be tightened up and do another reading, including reversals.
Even if it is necessary to look up the full implication of any reversals, you will find a deeper insight is achieved.
Honestly, sometimes I read reversals and sometimes I don’t. But I always decide before I throw cards. It usually depends on whether or not the spread I’m working with will allow for it. I’m also interested in round cards and how that will affect the “feel” of reversals.
Typically I read reversals as a blockage in the energy of the card or an immature energy (as relates to the card in question). I see all the cards as energies that are in operation — and I see all the cards as energies that are competing and desiring to fulfill their manifest intent, so just thinking about it that way helps me figure out what the reversal will mean in any given throw.
Great deck! It’s on my wishlist 🙂
I tend to use reversals whenever I do a reading. More often than not, the reverse meaning is more significant to the overall reading. I do know others that never use reversals in their readings. I suppose it’s just a matter of what you prefer.
I use reversals, but only to signal which cards need special attention during a reading.
I use reversals sometimes. Depends on the number of cards, and the deck I’m using. I don’t feel I need to use them for any reason other then the deck really. 95% of my readings are done without them. I’ve heard people say you have more meanings if you use them, but I just don’t believe that. I’ve never had anyone say that I lack enough meaning I have access to everything with them upright. Even when I do use them I will typically turn the card upright when actually reading the card. Just like to look at it that way too.
I am new to tarot so yes I pay attention to reversals I think that they do mean something.
I dont use reversals per se but I do give both sides of a card and it also depends on the rest of the cards in the spread for example, if I have drawn the Sun and Wheel of Fortune bu then the Tower I will read the tower positively as opposed to earth shattering. I have tried to give reversals but they never seem to fit the mood of the spread.
I am going to be truthful here ,The only thing i know about tarrot cards is if someone reads my tarrot ,though it is some thing in my life i always want to learn , I am so fascinated by tarrot card reading ,I do know that if i was to win tarrot cards i would cherish them so much 🙂
I try very hard to not have reversed cards in my readings. I check my deck before, and make sure to shuffle in a way that prevents them. But when they do happen to appear I use them and take them very seriously. I know that they have something to say that could not be said in any other way. Sometimes the card that would have fit has already been used, and sometimes it is really that card that has a message to say. All in all, I use them when they make themselves known.
~Joshallen
I tend to read reversals as lower energy of the same type. I may also read them as opposite or lack of an energey depending on context. It also depends on the deck too – some decks work better without reversals.
When I started reading Tarot cards back as a teenager I read them reversed and now many years later I have once again picked up my first deck since then and have started reading Tarot cards and to me it just seems natural. The cards reversed have a little different meaning and can be seen as a warning or a little different way to look at the situation you are reading about and as someone noted they end up reversed anyway and by correcting them you are changing the reading some and I feel you are not getting the true meaning. Don’t fight the cards they end up that way for a reason.
No reversals? That would be like painting black and white without all the beautiful grays…..
The first time I ever read for someone I used a regular deck of playing cards. For the year following that first time, I never stopped using the regular playing cards and I could not wrap my mind around how I could see so much in nothing but color and repetitive shape. The first time I ever held a real tarot deck I felt a jolt roll through me and could not believe the sensation of working with them. Sadly at this time, I no longer own a set. My home was broken into a couple of years back and everything was stolen… hasn’t stopped me though lol… playing cards work till I can afford a set again.
Reversed Cards in readings do not really phase me, I see them as a warning and an opportunity for the individual it refers to too make changes and hopefully avoid the possible negativity that could come from a situation. Reversed cards, like the reader themselves are a guide through possibilities and opportunities. In my readings they are welcome to appear, in the hopes that from them showing up, the person being read for can adjust the course they are on at that time.
I have been reading for over 15 years and I always use reversals. I am sure you can get a good reading without using them however I personally feel that you can get more in depth by reading uprights and reversals.
I am a Tarot Deck Collector and this deck is just lovely!
Brightest Blessings,
Kat
I use reversals (upside down cards) as a sign to “pay attention”- “take heed”, – “warning.” I don’t necessarily take them as “negative” meaning cards…… I read all cards intuitively as well as look at all the traditional meanings that I have studied from various sources. I feel reversals tell you if this or that doesn’t change then you might not have your desired outcome……sometimes I will pull more cards on top of the reversals if I feel it necessary to see what else can be told about the reversal situation.
Wow I am realizing that are many people with the name: Penny on this discussion…I find that very interesting…is it your real names? Are people named Penny drawn to Tarot and Magick? I find this very interesting LOL!
Penny
I’m trying to teach myself to use reversals with my Manga Tarot deck – mainly because it’s such an overwhelmingly positive deck, I feel it needs the reversed cards to add depth to the reading. But frankly, they make me nervous.
I’ve been reading the tarot for less than a year, so I’m going to give it time. But still… nervous.
These are such beautiful cards! I really hope I win, that way I can actually learn some Tarot reading : )
For a very long I did not use Reversals. The reason was I did not fully understand what I was doing. I am self taught. However, I gave a reading one day and one of my cards came up reverse. It was the Hermit card. I ask the person if she/he was open up to the prospect of dating. That was an affrimative. Since then, I do read reverse. To me it adds another depth of understanding that I would not otherwise get. However, I do understand that there is not correct/incorrect way to read cards. Right???
It all depends on the spread that I am working. Most of the time I will interpret reversals. As others stated when I started reading I did not know I could do it without. Now I think that it is an extra way for the universe to get in touch and hammer a point in. If you get the message in a card and the same message through a reversal, you need to pay attention to it.
The sometimes subtle tweaking of a card’s message due to reversals can end up having a great impact on the overall reading. It just makes sense to me. But if I didn’t use reversals, I’m sure the cards would know and they’d find a way of getting the message across either way ;)!
Thank you for writing a book on reversals. Reversals are important for me when I am reading because they show what we don’t noramlly see in a reading that is all upright. Depending on which card they are next to, or across from they can be either a stronger card, or a weaker card. Reversal to me can validate an outcome as well because it makes you notice something is just not quite right, and to take a closer look. That’s my opinion on reversals. I appreciate your expertise in writing the book. I can’t wait to read it.
When I began reading the tarot 20 years ago, I was a total rule toting, new age geek! I thought that if the meanings for reversed cards were written in the book that came with the deck, it was mandatory to use them in every reading. As time has moved quickly since my initiation into Wicca, I determined my own methods and interpretations. It is a very rare occasion that you find me going by any book now – and, as I have developed my own sense of meanings, I will do reversed only if requested
I use reversals because there can only be light with the dark. Sometimes the reversals are even a “better” inerpretation than the right side up ones. You have to look at the cards in every direction and life isn’t all about lolipops and fairies, sometimes it’s about obstacles, changes, turmoil and other things to make us grow and learn.
Thanks for this contest!
blessed Be
I do not have an issue with reversals. Do I use them? Not really. I find you can get the same interpretation if you pay attention to the other cards or the “feelings” you get about a card. When I have used reversals, I do not pull out the book and read the definition for reversals, I look at what the card represents and what it would mean if the representation was reversed.
Reversals introduce the Shadow element. They require a deeper look at the card. They can also signify something is dormant or certain information is not yet available to you…..I read them as a caution, but not necessarily as the opposite of the card upright.
I take reversals as a message from spirit to make sure to work on what the particular card(s) is/are sending through and not ignore the warning of it. It is a jolt of awareness sent to wake you up and smell the Divine Notice Coffee.
For ex: Let’s say I’m asking about how I can earn more money and the high priestess card pops up in reversal position than I know that I’m not paying attention or listening to my intuition on the matter.
Reversals are meant to serve as constructive tools to help you unblock, alter, and bring to your conscious mind what is really going on and how to best work on the issue to make you more successful.
I view reversals as helpers who are demanding your undivided attention so they can assist you along to what you most need.
I also interpret reversals individually each time depending on the question being asked along with the other cards pulled around it. It will reveal to you in what way to decipher the meaning of the spread.
When I first started to learn the tarot I was determined to learn the reversals along with the upright meanings of each card. I struggled to understand both meanings and often got frustrated when the meaning of the reversal just did not feel right to me. I was tied to the idea that “this author” said that “this was the meaning”. Through practice and years, I grew in my understanding of the tarot and eventually moved away from using the reversals as much. I allowed myself to feel the cards and understand their true meanings in a reading. I still wouldn’t say that I get ALL of the cards and their upright and reverse meanings, but, I’ve got a better grasp on them. For the most part, I use the cards in an upright fashion. There are times, however, when I feel that the question at hand is too deep and there are too many levels to be tied to just the upright meanings. During those readings, I use both.
I don’t use reversals in the normal sense of the word. Cards are all in an upright position, but I allow my intuition to determine whether I’m getting the ‘upright’ meaning or the ‘reversed’ meaning. My readings flow very well by doing it this way.
I firmly believe in honoring reversals. My preference is to call them “contrary” cards, such as they do with the Medicine cards.
Since half my cards are reversed or contrary in any reading, I can’t ignore them. The message of the energy block is too strong to discount.
And not all contraries are negative. Some are more positive, such as the 9 of Swords, the 5 of Pentacles or the Tower.
Using the meaning of the contraries is much more complicated, but for me this practice results in a more accurate reading.
I’m just starting to learning tarot and I think reversels help with the feeling and enviroment of the reading, I agree its very hard to learn both upright and reversed but so far I think its worth it
i just cant read reversals! when i read normaly, i just let my intuition kick in and give me the links between cards. They never have the same meaning to me because of where they lay…Whenever i have tried reversals my intuition just leaves me and im left high and dry.
I am trying to use reversals as the negative or opposite side of the card. Intuition also makes a difference in reading it.
I have never tried to use reversals in any reading. I am interested in learning more about them and how to read and apply to a reading. Recently myself and 3 friends and family had our readings done and majority of their cards were reversals why mine only had a couple. Out tarot reader thought this was quite strange.
I must admit I only use reversals in very particular instances. I find for a general reading that using reversals is pointless. But when the situation is full of turmoil or serious confusion, reversals are necessary. A reversal can bring a depth of revelation during a reading that may be necessary for the querent.
Although I must stress that i never use reversals when reading for myself. Self reading is difficult enough and reversals will only ad confusion in that situation.
I actually use reversals in all of my readings. How I work is the card has come out that way for a reason. I believe once a reading has been dealt out if you turn a card round cause its reversed its not the true reading that was meant to be given
I’ve just started to use the tarot so I’m really not sure. I’ve heard that even though the card is reversed, you should turn it upright. I’ve also heard that the reversal is the opposite of what the card meaning says. I have a tendancy to think that if the card is reversed and you know you’ve shuffled the deck correctly, then it’s meant to be reversed.
I don’t read reversals. I think there’s enough depth and breadth in the standard 78 cards that I don’t need to invent a second set of meanings. However I *do* read the card depending on what’s around it, and what other circumstances dictate. For instance, the 4 of Pentacles can be a good or bad thing, depending. Are you saving money, being wise, or are you hoarding your money and hurting those you love because of it? Court cards have good and bad traits, just like normal people. The Fool can be bad, if you’re being rash and foolhardy. The Devil can be very good, if it’s indicating a devotion to your partner come what may. (or that can be bad…)
I have been reading Tarot for almost 25 years, and I started with the Eden Gray book and a deck of Rider-Waite-Smith cards. I taught myself how to read both upright and reversed cards, but I always found the reversals confusing. I stuck with it, however, and as my intuition and my confidence blossomed, I found that the reversed meanings were helpful in the readings. I still read reversed cards when I read with the RWS deck, one of my favorite decks.
I agree with what James said above: The High Priestess is the High Priestess, no matter in what orientation she is thrown. A reversal can help you to see nuances in the cards and their meanings.
Having said this and followed this discussion thread avidly, I must admit that I don’t read many other decks using reversed cards. I find that the artistry of the deck lends enough meaning to all of the cards and gives subtle shadings (along with my intuition) as to what needs to be brought to the client.
I would also agree with Lunaea’s point: if you set your intention at the beginning of a reading that you would like to get as much information for the client as possible using only upright cards, then the Universe and your spirit guides (and the clients’) will comply with this request. I tell my students, if reversals are tricky for you, keep working with them, but don’t feel obligated to use them.
Great discussion, folks!
Reversals have been a bit of an issue for me, personally – particularly recently. After about a 10-year hiatus, I have since felt compelled to utilize and “re-learn” tarot, if you will. I didn’t have too strong a feeling one way or another regarding reversals at first; I’d been focusing most of my energy on the cards’ traditional meanings, pretty much putting off the idea of reversals for awhile. But as I was just recently doing a reading for myself (granted, self-reading isn’t always the most objective), I noticed only one card near the end of the deck in the reverse position, so I turned the card upright (the way I prefer to keep my deck) and stuck it somewhere randomly in the middle of the deck, then proceeded to lay out, and choose my cards; I never re-shuffled. As I started laying down my spread, I turned over the next card representing “the present,” and there was the same exact card – in reverse. Not only did this shock me, but it applied perfectly to my question I was reading for. In fact, had the card been upright, I would have felt a total disconnect with the reading. I suppose the point here is that sometimes, at least for me, I believe that reversals are no accident, and they will occur for a reason. It’s also possible that other times, like when every card in the spread is reversed, for example, it really may not need to be read as such! All I can say is what I feel the universe has tried to tell me through my readings, which, in a nutshell, is to pay attention, but use your intuition. If it feels right, then it’s right. Perhaps just don’t discount reversals entirely; as I’ve learned, there may very well be an important message in them that you could not have otherwise seen 🙂
I haven’t used reversals until recently since I was not adept in tarot, however, I have started to use them and have found my tarot readings to be more in tune and correct which makes me very happy. I think I am now hooked and will be using them more often. Also, beautiful cards!
I started reading tarot just a couple of months ago, so i don’t really use the reversals yet. To me it feels like a lot of extra keywords i should remember, and i don’t like reading tarot with keywords..
a while ago i read something about reversals that it could mean that somethings are “blocked” in it’s way (don’t know exactly how to say it in english). and for me this feels right.
Most of the time i have the feeling wether the reversal is because there is an extra struggeling with the meaning, so i think this is the way i use my “reversals”.
Not with the stated keywords printed in any book, but just listening to my intuition.
by the way, great website! just found out about it, i think i will come here for hours and hours to read 🙂
and good luck with the one winning the deck 🙂 you’ll hear it on my birthday 🙂
I don’t like reversals. I tend to like things more “ordered”, I usually make sure all my cards are facing the same way when I am done with them. But if one does show up reversed, I do tend to pay more attention, because it is harder for them to come up reversed if you put them away all in the same direction.
When I did have my cards, I did not like to do reversals as I felt that they always seemed to mean bad meanings. Now matter how hard that I tried I could not seem to grasp or understand how to read the cards and understand their meaning. If I could win this contest, I could have another chance at learning to do it right. 🙂
I don’t like reversals because I am just starting to learn and reversals overwhelm me a bit. However, as I become proficient I may start doing them.
I used to think reversals weren’t necessary, but today, I look at them as just as important as upright cards. Why? Each card shows positive and negatives, sometimes we need the negatives to keep us planted firmly on this earth. Sometimes a card will tell us something negative, but with its accompanying cards, could change the entire outlook on the reading. Today I had a reading with the past card negative. Telling me about a past path that was unhealthy or was the wrong path, where I made a lot of bad decisions, but that I came through to the here and now alive and well. If not for the negatives, we would not learn lessons on how to move forward. I read at least once a day, just to study and each reading gives me such information that I cannot deny was there, is there, or will be there.
I’m still learning, basically.. everything intimidates me… so much so that I often put the cards away for lengthy periods. I JUST think I’m getting the hang of this then I get a reversal, and I vapor lock… When I hear people just dismiss the reversal, I feel a “no no no” kind of feeling, like.. “didn’t you see the yield sign?” But because I’m only a novice, I tend to sit idly by and wonder to myself, do they even know what their doing?
Thinking this book may make it’s way to by book shelf soon.