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A Unique Reversals Method

January 15, 2013 by Barbara Moore 8 Comments

UPDATE: Through the wonders of the internet, I’ve been reconnected with the creator of this incredible method: Barbara Chaitman, who can be found HERE.

I was going through some old notes and found this method of reading reversals. I know it was sent to me by a reader, but all I have noted for her name is “Babs.” Since these notes were 2009, I cannot remember who sent this idea to me. If Babs reads this…or if anyone recognizes the method, let me know so I can properly credit this idea. Because it is really interesting. I don’t know why it languished in a pile of notes and ideas for so long.

Associating the numbered cards of the Minor Arcana with specific Major Arcana cards based on numbers is a common practice for many readers, at least for the upright meanings.

The Aces to 10’s upright meanings are often connected to the Majors as follows:

Ace=Card 1 (the Magician)
2’s=Card 2 (the HP)
3’s=Card 3 (the Empress)
4’s=Card 4 (The Emperor)
5’s=Card 5 (the Hierophant)
6’s-Card 6 (The Lovers)
7’s= Card 7 (The Chariot)
8’s=Card 8 (Strength)
9’s=Card 9 (The Hermit)
10’s=Card 10 (The Wheel of Fortune)

The unique part comes in with the reversed cards. The Aces to 10’s reversed are associated as follows:

Aces=Card 11 (Justice)
2’s=Card 12 (the Hanged Man)
3’s=Card 13 (Death)
4’s=Card 14 (Temperance)
5’s=Card 15 (the Devil)
6’s=Card 16 (the Tower)
7’s=Card 17 (the Star)
8’s=Card 18 (the Moon)
9’s=Card 19 (the Sun)
10’s=Card 20 (Judgment)

So, the upright Aces are potential and power. Reversed Aces are a time of judging or assessing how that power was used (or not used). The 2s are associated with choices made by various methods of “knowing,” while the reversed 2s are being limbo and not making a decision. 3s upright are associated with creation and the Empress, while reversed 3s are associated with endings and Death. And so on. Pretty fascinating, isn’t it?

For more on reversals see Mary K. Greer’s excellent book, the Complete Book of Tarot Reversals

For a deck designed specifically to incorporate reversed cards, see the Revelations Tarot by Zach Wong

 

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Written by Barbara Moore
The tarot has been a part of Barbara Moore’s personal and professional lives for over a decade. In college, the tarot intrigued her with its marvelous blending of mythology, psychology, art, and history. Later, she served as the tarot specialist for Llewellyn Publications. Over the years, she has ...