In some readings should some cards b read reversed?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 02 Aug 2004, and now archived in the Forum Library.

acolyte	02 Aug 2004
Hi!I'm new at this my pack is a few days old so 4give me if i sound slow.I did my first reading and the questions i set fourth was how my promotion quest at work would go.since I used the horshoe spread and the surface outcome of t he cards seemed really positive but I asked someone else for their opinion and the outcome they gave me on some of the cards and their place in the situation made it sound liek they had read them reversed.so i was wondering in some situations will it be neccesar for you to see the other meaning of the cards?anyway ive seen that i have a long way to go and it just makes me have more respect for u long time posters as it is not as easy as it seems.

Eco74	02 Aug 2004
It very much depends on the question. If a card in the spread has a "what is hidden" meaning it makes sense to look to the negative meaning of the card as an option. The same goes for "what is missing", "what is causing the problem" and "what are my obsticles" etc. With practice you will also start seeing the details in the cards that point towards the good and the bad interpretation wether the card is upright or reversed.

Aun	02 Aug 2004
PRACTICE is the only way.... There is a great article on Reversals here: http://www.tarotmoon.com/articles/Reversals/reversals.html hope it helps

raeanne	02 Aug 2004
Hi Acolyte, There have been several discussion about reading reversals. Some people do and some don't. Personally, if a card just doesn't seem to belong in the position it is in, I will consider the reversed meaning and see if it fits better.

Centaur	02 Aug 2004
I did not use reversals up until earlier this year. I guess it is all just a matter of personal preference. Before using reversals, I used to determine any negativity in any given reading, by focusing on the spread alone. Now, I find that using reversals enhances my understanding of tarot. Perhaps you should check out the book by Mary K Greer, The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals. I found it to be very comprehensive, and a great resource. :)

blackroseivy	02 Aug 2004
I find that depth of meaning is found only through *both* ways of reading any given card. It gives a *much* more nuanced reading; after all, 72 interpretations vs. 144! A lot more to sink your teeth into.

Ace	02 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by Aun PRACTICE is the only way.... There is a great article on Reversals here: http://www.tarotmoon.com/articles/Reversals/reversals.html hope it helps That is a great article! One of the things she sites is a good way to begin reading reversals: think of them as NOT (the upright meaning) I also like what a friend found, the upside down picture also can be important. For example in 3 or 10 of swords Rx: the swords are falling back out. Or 4 of pentacles, the person doesn't have a leg to stand on-they aren't grounded anymore. Or I often find with 4 of wands, the wands become an open topped box that is waiting to be filled!

Aun	02 Aug 2004
Im my opinion, fixed meanings shouldn't be attached to the reversed cards (nor when upside!) To me, reversals indicate a DISTORTION or BLOCKAGE on the energy of the card. Its important to notice that the energy could be either lacking or excessive, depending on the spread position or surrounding cards ...

Shalott	03 Aug 2004
Hi, acolyte, welcome a-board! One question I'd have is what deck are you using? Like some don't even include reversals! I think Thoth is one, Enchanted/ZernerFarber also. But then, if you're using a Rider-Waite, if you get the 9 of Swords reversed, the meaning becomes much more positive. Some people don't use reversals even in decks where it's traditional to do so. I do, I agree with danubhe that it adds to the language of the deck, but you'll find a large number of people don't believe they're necessary. :D Shalott

Sillanza	03 Aug 2004
Quote: Originally posted by acolyte ... and the surface outcome of t he cards seemed really positive but I asked someone else for their opinion and the outcome they gave me on some of the cards and their place in the situation made it sound liek they had read them reversed. So, you're saying that the card did not appear reversed, but your friend seemed to interpret it as such? Sometimes even a positive card can have a negative cast depending on it's placement in the spread, or vice-versa. The surrounding cards could have negatively influenced these cards as well. You could post your spread, including card position meanings, on the "your readings" forum for more detailed feedback from AT members.

acolyte	03 Aug 2004
Thanks! i did post it in the readings part of the forum and i got some feed back guess it just adds a further dimension to tarot for me to learn and get used to

The In some readings should some cards b read reversed? thread was originally posted on 02 Aug 2004 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.