Mastering Reversals

For many readers, reversed tarot cards — cards that appear upside down in a spread — are one of the most confusing parts of reading. Are they simply the “opposite” of upright meanings? Do they mean something bad? Should you even use them at all?

The truth is, reversals are not meant to make tarot harder — they’re meant to make it deeper. A reversed card is not just a flipped version of its upright message. It’s a different angle of the same energy — one that reveals hidden layers, internal experiences, and subtle dynamics you might otherwise miss.

Learning to read reversals will transform your readings. Instead of giving flat, one-dimensional answers, you’ll start to uncover why something is happening, what’s beneath the surface, and how energy is flowing in or out of a situation.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about reversals — from what they really mean to how to read them confidently and intuitively.

What Are Reversals?

A reversal occurs when a tarot card appears upside down in a reading. Some readers use them, some don’t — and either approach is valid. Using reversals adds nuance and complexity, but if you’re still building confidence with upright meanings, it’s fine to start without them.

However, once you’re ready to deepen your practice, reversals become one of the most revealing layers in tarot. They show you how a card’s energy is manifesting — not just what it means.

For example:

• Upright: The Fool — a leap of faith, new beginnings.

• Reversed: Hesitation, fear of risk, resisting change.

Same card. Same story. But the reversed version reveals the internal resistance that might not be obvious from the upright interpretation alone.

Common Misconceptions About Reversals

Before we go deeper, let’s clear up a few myths:

• Myth #1: Reversals always mean the opposite.
  Not true. A reversed Three of Cups doesn’t always mean loneliness — it might mean too much celebration,emotional overindulgence, or internalizing joy rather than sharing it.

• Myth #2: Reversals are always negative.
  They can point to delays, blockages, or inner processing, but they’re not inherently bad. In fact, they often show growth opportunities.

• Myth #3: You have to use reversals to be a “real” reader.
  Some readers choose not to — instead reading subtle energy shifts through imagery, position, or intuition. Reversals are a tool, not a requirement.

What a Reversed Card Can Mean

Reversals aren’t a single concept — they’re a lens. Depending on context, they can reveal several different layers of meaning. Here are the most common:

1. Blocked or Delayed Energy

The card’s energy is present but isn’t flowing freely. Something is stuck, paused, or waiting.

• Example: Reversed Ace of Wands — creative inspiration exists, but motivation is blocked.

2. Internalized Energy

The card’s influence is turned inward, operating on a private or subconscious level.

• Example: Reversed Hermit — introspection is happening internally, perhaps too much isolation.

3. Resistance or Denial

The querent might be ignoring or resisting the lesson the card represents.

• Example: Reversed Death — clinging to the past, resisting necessary change.

4. Imbalance or Excess

The card’s energy is present, but out of balance — too much or too little.

• Example: Reversed Temperance — lack of moderation, chaos, or avoidance of integration.

5. Release or Completion

Sometimes reversal means the energy is leaving or has been processed already.

• Example: Reversed Nine of Swords — releasing anxiety, moving past mental struggle.

How to Read Reversals Intuitively

Interpreting reversed cards is less about memorizing meanings and more about feeling the shift in energy. Here’s how to approach them:

1. Compare Upright and Reversed Energy

First, understand the card’s upright meaning thoroughly. Then, ask how that energy might look if blocked, internalized, resisted, or inverted.

For example:

• Upright Knight of Wands = action, bold pursuit.

• Reversed = impulsive recklessness, or hesitating before taking action.

2. Use the Question as a Guide

Context is everything. In a career reading, a reversed Three of Pentacles might suggest teamwork issues. In a relationship reading, it might point to imbalance in effort.

3. Let Imagery Lead

Notice how the symbolism changes when the card is upside down. Sometimes the reversed image itself suggests the message — falling from a tower, pouring cups out, a sword pointing downward.

4. Trust Your First Impression

Often, your intuitive reaction to a reversed card — frustration, tension, relief, heaviness — is the message. Reversals speak more through feeling than logic.

Reversals in Major vs. Minor Arcana

Reversed cards behave slightly differently depending on whether they’re Major or Minor Arcana.

• Major Arcana reversals usually point to big inner work — resistance to major life lessons, subconscious transformations, or karmic delays.

• Minor Arcana reversals tend to reflect everyday imbalances — delays in plans, miscommunications, emotional blocks, or temporary setbacks.

For example:

• Reversed The Tower: Internal transformation rather than external chaos.

• Reversed Two of Cups: Relationship misalignment or emotional withdrawal.

Practical Techniques for Working With Reversals

If you’re new to reversals, here are a few simple techniques to make them less intimidating:

1. Start with a Single Reversal Spread

When practicing, shuffle upright and reversed cards, then do a simple three-card spread. Focus on how the reversal shifts the story.

2. Journal Your Reversals

Record every reversed card you pull, the context, and how it played out. Over time, you’ll build a personal “reversal language.”

3. Use Reversals as Depth Indicators

If a reading feels surface-level, try including reversals. They often reveal deeper emotional truths or root causes.

4. Ask “What’s Holding This Back?”

If a reversal appears, reframe your question. Instead of “What does this card mean?” try “What’s preventing this energy from flowing freely?”

Common Reversal Patterns in a Spread

Sometimes the number of reversals is as important as their meanings:

• Mostly upright: Energy is flowing smoothly. Events are happening externally and clearly.

• Mostly reversed: Much of the action is internal, delayed, or blocked. Reflection or realignment may be needed.

• One reversed card among uprights: A single point of resistance or hidden factor is shaping the situation.

• One upright among reversals: A breakthrough moment or clear solution is emerging amid internal work.

Should You Always Use Reversals?

Ultimately, whether or not you use reversals is a personal choice. Some readers prefer the added nuance, while others read all cards upright but interpret subtle shifts based on context and symbolism.

If you’re just starting out, you might try reading upright only for a while, then gradually introducing reversals as your confidence grows. What matters most is consistency and clarity in your method.

Final Thoughts: Reversals as Tarot’s Hidden Depth

Reversed cards are not obstacles — they’re invitations. They ask you to look beyond surface meanings and explore what’s really happening beneath the situation. They reveal resistance, growth edges, and deeper truths.

When you master reversals, your readings evolve from predictive snapshots into living stories — stories about movement, cycles, internal shifts, and the push-and-pull of real human experience. They help you read not just what ishappening, but why it’s happening — and that’s where tarot becomes truly transformative.

And remember: working with reversals is entirely optional. Many skilled readers choose not to use them at all, focusing instead on upright meanings and intuitive nuance. Whether you include reversals or not, the key is consistency — and trusting the approach that feels most natural to you.

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