It’s a chill afternoon, the smell of your favourite scented candle fills the air, that new song you’re obsessed with plays in the background, you shuffle your tarot deck, and then…it happens!
ALL your tarot cards come out reversed! Is that bad? Your mind quickly tries to piece together the meaning, your heart beats faster as you consider just putting the cards back. No one wants a bad reading, right???
Before you let your negative thoughts spiral out of control, let me stop you! Not all reversed cards are bad. This blog post is your complete reference guide for reversed tarot cards, including when to read reversals, different ways to interpret the cards, and best practices for the most “DAMN, are you kidding me”, accurate readings.
To reverse or not to reverse
Many tarot readers shy away from reading reversals. This could be because they’re hoping to keep their reading positive, they don’t have enough practice, or they’re still confused by the energy of reversed tarot cards.
Truthfully, when reading reversals, you will find a lot of them can be quite positive, especially when it comes to cards with difficult energy.
If you wish to avoid reversals, till you get the hang of understanding the cards, it’s all about how you shuffle. If you shuffle your tarot deck like a standard deck of playing cards, reversals will be present. Instead, carefully slide your cards horizontally against each other. This will result in no reversals ending up on your table.
You will become a much better tarot reader if you learn to read reversals! Practice with your deck lots, and let go of the idea that an upside down card is always negative.
What does a reversed card mean? Does it even matter?
Tarot reversals add a layer of depth to reading cards that will cause your tarot skills to skyrocket in quality.
To read reversals, I highly recommend not memorizing all the meanings present in your tarot book. Instead, learn how to read reversals with an open mind. Use your deck to experiment with the different formulas below, allow your creativity and imagination to add insight you can’t find written on a page.
This will make you an exceptional tarot reader.
Do I Need to read tarot reversals?
The short answer is no. Years ago, when I first got my tarot deck, I found myself totally confused by the meanings of each card, and with no guidebook at the time, adding reversals into the mix was overwhelming.
However reading reversed tarot cards can completely change the energy of the message your receiving. Making your readings far more profound.
How to read reversed cards
Below, you’ll find easy ways to interpret card reversals. Feel free to experiment with these ways of interpreting reversed cards. Let your intuition guide you in picking which method should be used in each of your tarot readings.
4 of My Favourite Ways to Interpret A Reversed Tarot Card
Opposite Meaning : A simple way to read reversed tarot cards, is by considering the opposite meaning.
This works best if you already know the general meanings of each upright tarot card, simply ask yourself now what is the opposite of that.
e.g. the high priestess is a highly intuitive card, so her opposite would be counterintuitive. Indicating a solution to your query that goes against your natural instincts.
Excessive / Blocked Energy : This interpretation can carry different meanings, depending on the context surrounding the card and the card itself.
Using the above example, where the high priestess is intuition, in reverse she represents intuition being blocked.
To decide whether reversed tarot cards indicate blocked or excessive energy, consider the details surrounding the question.
The card can also give you a strong indication, as too much intuition is unlikely to be a problem, it’s easy to assume, in relation to the high priestess, this reversal shows a block.
Shadow Side : Another way to read reversed tarot cards is to consider their shadow side.
In psychology, the shadow, is the unconscious aspect of one’s personality. The parts of yourself deemed unacceptable, in direct conflict with your ideal self-image.
If you consider the upright position the ideal representation of the card, then the reversal is the inadequate or shameful expression.
Consider the major arcana card below.
If the upright meaning of Justice is the ideal, it is fair, balanced justice. Upholding the law in a way that is favourable and responsible. The bad guys get what’s coming to them, and the good guys are rewarded.
So, what do you think is this card’s energy in its shadow form?
Reversed, Justice is corrupted. Unfair, dishonest. This is the law being twisted and manipulated to benefit billionaires and punish the poor. A flawed legal system, that sees honest people, thrown behind bars, while criminals walk the streets.
The shadow interpretation of reversals offers powerful imagery, bringing the energy of your tarot spread to life. Not all cards have a shadow side as straightforward as justice, sometimes creativity, or using a different method will be needed.
Internalized Energy : The 4th method of interpretation is considering internal and external.
If the upright represents the externalized version of the tarot card (how it relates to the outer world), then the reversed is the internalized. How it relates to one’s innermost self.
A great example of this is the 6 of swords pictured below. Upright, you may interpret the journey, shown by the boat, as an outer one. A literal trip, or move somewhere new. Could be a transition between jobs, or relationships, an external change.
Reversed, the 6 of swords becomes internalized. An inner journey. Perhaps an attempt to let go of long held emotional baggage, or a transition to a new way of thinking.
Best practices for how to interpret tarot card reversals are outlined below. Trust your instincts, use creativity and practice lots, to find what works for you.
If you’re just starting out on your tarot journey…
Remember you don’t have to be perfect right off the bat. The important part is practising and getting to know your deck. The more experience you gain, the more comfortable you’ll be reading cards.
This is simply the first step, devote as much time as you can to connecting with each card, and soon understanding their meanings will become second nature.
Mentally agree to use one method only
Try a few practice sessions using only one method. Set your intention for which method you’re going to use. Then lay a simple spread of three cards out on the table. Approach every reversal with curiosity and openness.
Apply the tips below for added guidance, and you’ll be giving insightful tarot readings (including reversals) in no time!
Look at the Other Cards in the Reading
The surrounding cards in your tarot spread are of the utmost importance when attempting to understand the meanings of reversed cards. Make sure to carefully consider how the other card’s energy impacts the reversal.
Upright cards in a tarot reading can help confirm the meaning of the reversed card. For example, drawing the lover’s upside down, followed by the 5 swords, can indicate feeling defeated in your romantic life.
If you’re ever confused and feel in desperate need of clarification, place two clarifying cards over the original card. Ask yourself what information does the meaning of these cards add to the feeling of the first card.
The cards in your tarot readings create a story together. If the figures of each tarot card are looking the same direction, or facing away from each other, this is showing you something. For example, all the cards facing a certain card indicates that card is incredibly important to understanding the meaning of your reading.
Draw on Your Personal Experience
Intuition is a huge part of how to interpret reversed tarot cards. Your personal connection to the particular card, that is turned upside down, can give you an incredible amount of insight.
The best tarot readers go beyond memorized card meanings, and traditional protocols. Dig deep into your life experiences and ask yourself, what does this reversed card mean to you personally.
When I see the three of wands reversed in a tarot reading, it brings me back to years ago. I had the amazing experience of travelling the world for 2 whole years.
However, amidst all this excitement and adventure I had a birthday, where I felt completely alone.
On a beautiful beach in Indonesia, sun warming my skin, feet in the sand. All I could think about was my friends and family back home. To me, this card stirs a feeling of looking in longing, towards something that feels completely out of reach.
Maybe it’s far away in physical distance, or it’s far in perspective. When your mind can’t possibly fathom how you could get that thing you’re desperately wanting.
See, when you draw on your experience, you evoke feelings that allow you to connect deeply to the cards, and to the person you’re reading tarot for. This allows you to create a picture of the card meaning, that is vibrant and alive. It’s unlikely they are in the exact situation I was experiencing. However, that thread of feeling remains the same.
Many tarot readers when starting out focus on memorizing card meanings and formulas. Using the guidebook for all of their answers. This is a great tragedy.
Your tarot readings will be so much more powerful when you learn to draw on your personal connection to each card.
Divination, (asking spirit for answers) always speaks your language. Your unique lexicon of symbols, feelings and ideas add to the depth of your readings.
You’ll likely look at the above card and feel or think something completely different. That’s amazing, being an incredible tarot reader means trusting yourself to find the answer, above all external sources.
So try it! Take a look at the card reversal below, and dig deep. What connections can you make to this card and your own life experiences.
Note if you have a tarot journal, write down all your thoughts, feelings and assumptions about the card. This is a great way to familiarize yourself with reversals, so reading them becomes second nature.
How to Start Reading with Reversed Tarot Cards
Start at the start of your tarot journey and it will become easier and easier, I promise.
I know all too well the feeling of confusion and uncertainty that comes from not fully understanding the cards in a reading. (The first deck I got was in Spanish, meaning I couldn’t even read the guidebook to help me!)
However over time I’ve gotten so good, that my clients describe my readings as terrifyingly accurate, and time and time again the exact situations I’ve predicted come true.
Rather watch than read? I got you!
If your head is still spinning when a reversed card comes out in your tarot reading, the best way to learn is through exposure.
To see how I read reversals, and understand the current energy coming your way, book your private reading.
If you’re unsure if you’re ready for a reading, you can view a few kind words from happy clients on my testimonials page.
Alternately, you can visit my YouTube for a collection of pick a card tarot readings, @sugarkittymystic.
The Empress Tarot 