Reversed Cards - read as opposites?

Thread originally posted on the Aeclectic Tarot Forum on 09 Aug 2001, and now archived in the Forum Library.

Rhyannon	09 Aug 2001
How are reversed cards supposed to be read in a reading? Are they the complete opposite of the original reading, or are they the same meaning of the card, just in a spiritual manner? The reason why I ask this is because I did a Not Only, But Also (2 card) spread this morning as my daily reading and got The Hermit for the Not Only part, but then I got the 8/Swords reversed as the But Also. I read this two ways, one was that I should embark on a more solitary spiritual journey now (The Hermit) and that I would not be restricted in this. If I read the 8/Swords as a spiritual card instead of the opposite of the meaning, I would say that I also felt confused and powerless at the same time. The second one seemed to fit more into the situation I encountered. Does it depend on the question, as to which meaning you use?

Elphaba	09 Aug 2001
Hey there! I've been struggling with reversals as well. I began tarot using them, then I stopped cause they were confusing me but I've started using them again cause for some reason turning all those reversals around to do my readings seems like cheating. I found this lady's awesome website and what she says about reversals has really helped me. I no longer read the 'reversed' interpretations given in my LWB but try to see how the reversal has changed the upright meaning (if that makes any sense). Here's the link:) http://www.tarotbychristiana.com/tarotcircle/diagrams/reversals.asp

MeeWah	09 Aug 2001
The meaning could depend on the "question"; however, it's entirely possible to have more than one meaning. Looking at any question in a broad sense, there are often multi-layers behind it. Reversals are not limited to the opposite of a card's basic meaning. They can refer to a lesser energy, a need to address the very thing, a delay of some kind or a different approach or way of thinking. I see the appearance of The Hermit as confirmation & encouragement for a more introspective or solitary occupation, such as the study of Tarot or any inner journey. 8 of Swords reversed means freedom from restriction; gaining knowledge; being empowered--as opposed to being restricted or helpless. The 2 cards together state that the inner focus can lead to unlimited or greater insight & wisdom. It is natural to feel some trepidation at the start of a new journey. Ultimately, any growth, spiritual or otherwise doesn't occur without some conflict or struggle. The sheer experience of the journey often has more significance than the destination, & you have already begun your journey towards wisdom. The phrase that comes to mind is "the truth shall set ye free".

Kiama	10 Aug 2001
I don't use reversed cards. I feel uncomfy usig them. I don't know why.... How many of your guys out there use reversed and how many don't? Kiama

MeeWah	10 Aug 2001
I make sure all the cards are in upright position before shuffling & then I try to shuffle them so they stay upright. Despite my best efforts (& depending on whether someone else is also shuffling the cards), reversals will occur occasionally. At those times, I read the reversals. They may stand alone &/or be modified by surrounding cards.

Yarnie	11 Aug 2001
I read with reversals. I always shuffle at least three times and sometimes as many as twelve or fifteen times before a reading, making sure to reverse on half the deck at least every other shuffle. I also shuffle a few times after each reading to ensure that the cards from the reading are distributed throughout the deck. I tend to read reversals dependent upon their context. Usually it is a matter of interpreting them as their usual meaning with some slight differences...as if something just isn't quite right with the usual interpretation. A reversal can also be a way of calling special attention to that card. I read somewhere on these fora PM (Pre-Move) that one should also look at the people depicted on the cards. Notice where they are looking and see if they are looking at another card in the spread. This indicates a special interaction between those cards in those positions. Sometimes a reversal can be interpreted as a way of getting the person in the card "looking" the right direction. Hope this helps!

tarotbear	11 Aug 2001
The most major problem with reversed cards is there is no one specific way to interpret them, nor do any two readers concur about them. The best thing that I can tell you is that the concept a reversed card is the total, complete opposite of the upright card is WRONG. Tarot cards have layered meanings, and so do reversals. At this point I tell my students that keeping a journal of their readings will help them better analyse the cards in the future. P.S. - IMHO- about the only cards that seem (to me) to be the complete opposite are the Fives- I find them negative when upright, but much better when they are reversed!

rainwolf	31 Jan 2005
I think complete opposite when reversed is a little narrow, it could be a meaning, but i like to think that there are a lot of meanings, it makes it just the more fun.

caridwen	31 Jan 2005
I don't shuffle for reversals as I think the surrounding cards indicate if a 'negative' shadow is cast. Here's what Joan Bunning says: Quote: There are no separate explanations for reversed cards. The meaning of a reversed card depends on what the card would mean if upright. A reversed card shows that a card's energy is present, but at a lower level. For some reason, the energy cannot express freely, normally or completely. It may be: still in its early stages losing force and power blocked or restricted incomplete inappropriate being denied only present in appearance I've always found this very helpful:)

Sulis	31 Jan 2005
Hi Rhyannon, Firemaiden has put together a very comprehensive list of ways to use tarot cards at the top of the Using Tarot Cards page. Here's a link; http://www.tarotforum.net/showthread.php?t=15119 If you scroll down the page a littel you'll find some links to lots of discussions about using reversed cards. Personally, I used James Rycleffs' method: He says that if a card comes up reversed its' qualities are either present or potential but they might be: 1. Delayed 2. Diminished 3. Underutilized 4. Internalized 5. Blocked I find this method works fine for me. Love Sulis xx

ros	31 Jan 2005
I use reversed cards as blocks and draw an extra card to see how to open up the situation. I read with reveresed cards for a while and now I just read this way and it works for me. (I think)LOL

karafarrahbobera	01 Feb 2005
i read reversals--it doesn't seem right NOT to read them. after all, your subject's energy helped to arrange the cards that way. but since i'm more intuitive, i tend to look at the surrounding cards and the question being asked. i'm with MeeWah: there are so many different meanings embedded in the cards, and just as every person is an individual, so each card has a particular impact peculiar to that individual. i REALLY like ros' idea of drawing another card to open the 'block' presented by a reversal--hadn't ever thought of it that way, but your idea is a positive, productive way to address it! but then, what do you do when the additional card is reversed? heh! just to be sure, tho, i ordered Mary K. Greer's "The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals"... hope and light to you. -karafarrah

psychic sue	11 Feb 2005
In my experience, reversals are not always opposite. They can mereley dilute the strenght of the card. For example, The Sun is such a glorious card that it cannot be regarded as a negative. If it pops up reversed it can mean a short lived happiness or a generally happy period. But try to let your feelings guide you, rather than sticking rigidly to what is written in the books. Look at the card and try to pick up on the general vibe. Hope that helps.

catti	11 Feb 2005
reversals can be: "heads up " pay attention cards ( much like pop ups) internal rather than external- as in what is going on inside the person/question instead of how it is manifesting in the world obstacles ( maybe already mentioned) I have always read using them, in fact in never occured to me not to. i have no idea how to shuffle without reversing cards and no inclination to do it. Someone else here said not reading with reversals was like reading every other page of a book and then summarizing the story.

seapearls	11 Feb 2005
I'm going to check out that web site on reversals also but I just wanted to add to the thread. I'm new and not only did I not start with an easy beginner deck but an Oracle deck I also started reading using reversal. Sometimes I think just because your a beginer that on some things you don't have to start where people think you need to but just where you choose to start. ( also got into fish keeping backwards, I started with saltwater 1st instead of freshwater fish) I don't find them hard, the only deck I have so far is my Faery oracle deck by Froud and I think the way they have written the meanings for reversals in this book is just the opposite of the normal meaning so I don't think its hard. I think I rather just use a reversal and it be that more specific on the position it comes up in than having to try to figure it out using surrounding cards.

The Reversed Cards - read as opposites? thread was originally posted on 09 Aug 2001 in the Using Tarot Cards board, and is now archived in the Forum Library. Read the active threads in Using Tarot Cards, or read more archived threads.