How to needed on Reversed Readings

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 05 Oct 2002, and now archived in the Forum Library.

osami2717	05 Oct 2002
I have been doing more reversed readings of late, but many of my books, like The Mythic Tarot book and Power Tarot, don't deal with reversed cards. Does this mean I shouldn't look at those particular books when I am doing research on a spread? And alternatively, when doing an upright spread should I refrain from peaking at reversed meanings? Should I read both...? Or does it only really matter if the last 'outcome' card is reversed? *ugh- I'm giving myself a headache*

Keslynn	05 Oct 2002
I don't quite understand what you mean by reversed readings. I think you're referring to the use of reversed cards? Basically, any spread can be used with or without reversed cards. It's fine to use reversed cards in all the spreads presented in Power Tarot or other books. I personally don't like the way that card meanings are presented in Power Tarot because of the categorization. This can make it really easy to become dependent on the book rather than your own intuition. Also, Mary Greer's Complete Book of Tarot Reversals is a must-read. Just remember to use it as a stepping stone rather than a crutch. Rely on your intuition over a book meaning any day. Also, I posted not too long ago about my personal theory of reversals. You might want to look for it. I think it was titled "my new way of looking at reversals." Or you can see the exact text on my webpage http://swordsqueen.tripod.com Best of luck. :) Kes

Minderwiz	06 Oct 2002
That's good advice Keslynn. I use Mary Greer's 'Tarot Reversals' but I more as a stimulant to my own ideas rather than as a crib book. I good reader (and I'm definitely not one by any means) should go with their feelings and intuition and treat the books as a starting point rather than a 'dictionary of Tarot meanings'. There's no complete aggreement anyway on how to interpret reversals - are they the opposite of the upright meaning?, are they internal and personal effects rather than external public ones? do they indicate an obstacle to the energy flow represented by the card?............. Read Greer and others, Try out reversed cards, see if they work for you, if they don't then just use uprights. Minderwiz

The How to needed on Reversed Readings thread was originally posted on 05 Oct 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.