to reverse or not to reverse...

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 16 May 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Logiatrix	16 May 2002
with the new book on reversals by m. k. greer, i now have a much better understanding of upside-down cards. however, i still find that i am resistant to use them with some decks. in fact, the only deck where i feel comfortable using reversals is the rider-waite--the very same RW that i used almost three years ago when i learned tarot for the first time. i shelved all my other favorite decks, in search of a deck for studying reversed meanings. only my tried-and-true RWS has come through, so that's the only one with which i do reversed cards. i believe that mary greer mentions in her book that she uses reversals with some decks, but not with others. i wonder if anybody here does that, too, and what determines it for you. also, if you don't bother with reversals and why, or always use them, or whatever...

Phoenix	16 May 2002
I find that Reversals are easier to read in my: RWS, Universal Waite, Sacred Circle, Renaissance(Lyle), and Vision. My other decks, I find, are harder to read with reversals. Hope that helped!

Logiatrix	16 May 2002
phoenix, yes, it's good to know i'm not alone and weird... okay, maybe still weird--but not alone! :)

Phoenix	16 May 2002
well, a little adendum. I really can't read reversed with my vision because the minors are nothing but pips.

cricket	16 May 2002
I personally never use reversals, unless specifically asked to. Even then, it's with reluctance. Each one of the decks I use for readings will tell a different story... just like they're made to do, IMO. Each card in a reading will give a different feel. It doesn't matter if they're reversed or not. You just have to be able to understand what they're trying to say at the right time. Go with the instincts instead of the given meanings.

magicmadrigal	16 May 2002
Sometimes I find reversals to have the same meaning only it's slowed down or it's the same aspect of the upright only with negative connotations. It just seems that reverses make it just a bit more difficult in attaining a goal, or desire. Maybe it's going to take longer to learn that lesson or get to that point. Of course it all depends on where they fall, what the card is, and how it fits into the big picture. Maybe it's a aspect that's warning you to becareful what you wish for... you just might get it. :) Magicmadrigal

Aerin	17 May 2002
My jury is still out on reversals, which could be because I tend to think of a card as having a spectrum of meanings from its most +ve to most -ve. I got a lot out of the Mary Greer book though. I have just started using reversed cards with the Universal Waite deck to see how it goes. Some of my decks e.g. the Hallowquest Arthurian are designed not to use reversals, so I wouldn't with them. I might also give reversals a go with the World Spirit deck. The first time I used them with the Waite, I did have abit of a 'don't you tell me wich way your energy is going' reaction, and I felt a bit limited. That's your old INFP coming out probably ;) Aerin

MeeWah	17 May 2002
Metaz: I do not look to use physical reversals because I believe as Aerin--that each card carries a spectrum of meanings from the sublime to the lowest denominator. Where a card may fall within that range depends upon the moment & surrounding cards. Since reversals do occasionally occur, I sometimes approach them as MagicMadrigal. They can refer to a delay, to meaning not just now, or to needing patience & time. Whatever the case, it calls for attention & more reflection. I have also noticed that some decks do not seem to lend themselves to reversals as readily or as obviously. Generally, those of the more traditional designs tend to accomodate reversals. Some decks are not intended by their creators to be read reversed, but I prefer to see how the cards choose to be approached at the time of the reading.

Geenius at Wrok	17 May 2002
I always use them, because it doubles the working vocabulary of my deck, if you know what I mean. Larger vocabulary equals finer distinctions of meaning equals greater accuracy. I'm always a little suspicious of my interpretation when I try to interpret a reading that doesn't include reversals: it's as if crucial info were being withheld from me. And I can't imagine using a deck that didn't lend itself to reversed readings. My experience is with the Aquarian, the Rider-Waite, the Nigel Jackson and the Vertigo.

The to reverse or not to reverse... thread was originally posted on 16 May 2002 in the Talking Tarot board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Talking Tarot, or read more archived threads.