Reversed tarot cards, also known as inverted or upside-down cards, appear in a reading when a card is drawn in the opposite orientation from its upright position. Far from being inherently negative or a sign of bad luck, these cards offer deeper layers of meaning and insight. They provide a more nuanced understanding of a situation, revealing aspects that might not be immediately apparent in an upright reading. The philosophy behind reversed cards is that they represent the shadow side, internal processes, or blocked energy of the upright meaning. They often indicate internal reflection rather than external manifestation, lessons that need to be learned before moving forward, blocked or misdirected energy, the need for personal growth or healing, and opposite or weakened aspects of the upright meaning. Understanding these nuances can transform vague fears into actionable insights for personal development and spiritual well-being.
Methods for Interpreting Reversed Tarot Cards
There are several established approaches to interpreting reversed tarot cards, each offering a unique lens through which to view the card's energy. The choice of method often depends on the reader's intuition, the querent's question, and the specific context of the reading.
The Shadow Approach
This method views reversed cards as representing the hidden or unconscious aspects of the upright meaning. It is not about something being "wrong," but rather about energy that is internalized or not yet brought to light. For example, The Sun reversed might indicate inner joy that needs to be cultivated rather than external happiness. This approach encourages introspection and acknowledges that every card has a light and shadow side. The reversed tarot meaning often emphasizes this shadow aspect, asking the querent to consider the unhealthy expression of the card's energy to uncover hidden motivations and blind spots.
The Blocked Energy Approach
Here, reversed cards show where energy is stuck, obstructed, or misdirected. This is a common interpretation that helps identify challenges or areas requiring attention. For instance, the Three of Pentacles reversed might suggest teamwork issues or a lack of collaboration in a project. Similarly, a reversed Ace of Cups could signify emotional numbness, where emotional energy is present but blocked from flowing freely. This approach helps pinpoint where delays or frustrations are originating from.
The Opposite Meaning Approach
This traditional method interprets reversed cards as the opposite of their upright meaning. For example, if The Devil card shows up in a reading it can indicate being trapped, whereas the reversed Devil card can indicate being set free. However, it is important to note that the reversed tarot meaning is rarely a simple mirror image. Take the Lovers card: upright, it’s about harmony and choices; reversed, it might indicate misalignment, dishonesty, or inner conflict—not just ‘no relationship.’ Instead of opposites, it is more accurate to think of reversals as variations on a theme, like minor keys in music, adding tension, depth, and emotional complexity.
Other Common Interpretations
Beyond these primary methods, other interpretations are widely used: * Decreased Intensity: Some see reversed cards as carrying a dialed-back energy of the card’s upright meaning. For example, the Nine of Swords upright carries meanings of nightmares, stress, anxiety, and negative thoughts. In reverse, this card could suggest that you are moving away from a period of deep inner turmoil into calmer waters. If The Tower is pulled in reverse, this could indicate that you have just gone through some major upheavals and the period you are in now is the calm after the storm. * Increased Energy: Conversely, some readers interpret a reversal as an amplification of the card's basic meaning. This is less common but can be applicable depending on the surrounding cards and the querent's situation. * Internal Energy: Upright Tarot cards often represent people, energies, and situations that are happening around you, impacting your life from the outside. When a Tarot card is reversed, however, its meaning can change to one of internal influence. For example, the Page of Cups in an upright position can indicate a new person or relationship entering your life. The Page of Wands reversed, though, could mean new emotions are welling up within you—your own views of love and feeling are changing, apart from outside circumstances.
A Framework for Accurate Interpretation
Interpreting reversed cards requires skill, intuition, and a structured approach. Jumping to conclusions based on a single reversed card can lead to a misreading. A structured framework can help.
Assess Energy Flow
The first step is to determine the nature of the card's energy. Ask: Is the energy of this card blocked, weakened, or internalized? This helps determine whether the card is indicating suppression, delay, or a need for inner work. * Blocked: Energy is present but obstructed (e.g., reversed Ace of Cups—emotional numbness). * Delayed: The outcome is postponed (e.g., reversed Ten of Pentacles—family issues delaying inheritance or a sense of stability). * Internalized: The energy is turned inward (e.g., reversed Hermit—self-isolation versus wise solitude).
Consider the Card's Shadow Aspect
As mentioned, every tarot card has a light and shadow side. The reversed tarot meaning often emphasizes the shadow. For instance, the upright Chariot represents control and determination; reversed, it may indicate lack of direction, internal conflict, or ego-driven decisions. Asking "What is the unhealthy expression of this card's energy?" helps uncover hidden motivations and blind spots.
Context Is King
No card exists in isolation. The reversed tarot meaning must be interpreted within the context of the spread, surrounding cards, and the querent’s question. A reversed Nine of Swords in a love reading might point to anxiety in a relationship, but in a career spread, it could reflect imposter syndrome. For example, if the reversed Judgement appears with the Eight of Wands, it might suggest hesitation despite external momentum—perfect timing being missed due to self-doubt. Context and intuition are key to accurate interpretation.
Reversed Meanings of Major Arcana Cards
The Major Arcana represents life’s big themes—spiritual lessons, karmic patterns, and transformative events. When these cards appear reversed, their messages become more urgent, internal, or challenging. The reversed tarot meaning for Major Arcana cards often points to a delay in a major life lesson or a resistance to a necessary transformation.
The Fool Reversed
Upright, The Fool is about new beginnings and fearless leaps. Reversed, it warns of recklessness, poor planning, or naivety. It can suggest that a querent is holding back out of fear or, conversely, jumping into a situation without proper consideration. It is a call to assess risks and ensure that a new path is being taken with awareness rather than blind optimism or paralyzing fear.
Other Major Arcana Considerations
While the provided sources focus on The Fool, the principles apply across the Major Arcana. A reversed High Priestess might indicate ignoring one's intuition, while a reversed Emperor could point to a lack of structure or an overly rigid approach. The key is to see these reversals as invitations to look inward and address the internal blocks preventing the full expression of the card's upright power.
Practical Considerations for Reversed Cards in a Reading
The use of reversed cards is a personal choice for both the reader and the querent. There is no single "right" way to conduct a tarot reading.
Should One Always Read Reversed Cards?
No, it’s a personal choice. Some readers find reversals add necessary depth and complexity, while others prefer the simplicity of upright-only readings. Beginners may start without reversals and incorporate them as they gain confidence and experience. The most important thing is consistency in the chosen method.
Is a Reversed Card Bad Luck?
A reversed card is not a sign of bad luck or doom. It reflects energy that is challenged, delayed, or internalized. Even traditionally "negative" cards like the reversed Tower can indicate necessary change or the end of denial, suggesting a period of restructuring rather than a catastrophic event. The reversed tarot meaning is about nuance, not fortune-telling in a fatalistic sense.
How to Determine if a Reversed Card is Positive or Negative?
The binary of positive and negative is often too simplistic for tarot interpretation. The answer lies in the context: the question, surrounding cards, and the querent’s situation. A reversed Five of Wands in a conflict might mean resolution is near, whereas in a competitive setting, it could indicate a lack of motivation or an avoidance of necessary competition. The goal is to look at the surrounding cards as well to understand what the reversed Tarot card is trying to convey. It may be positive, negative, or neither—it could just be conveying a lesson that needs to be learned.
Conclusion
Reversed tarot cards are a powerful tool for any serious tarot practitioner, offering a richer, more detailed narrative than upright cards alone. They invite us to look beyond the surface and explore the internal landscape of a situation—the blocked energies, the shadow aspects, and the lessons yet to be learned. By understanding the various methods of interpretation, such as the shadow, blocked energy, and opposite meaning approaches, and by applying a structured framework that assesses energy flow and context, one can unlock profound insights. The presence of a reversed card is an invitation for deeper introspection, a call to address internal conflicts, and an opportunity to navigate challenges with greater awareness and wisdom. Whether one chooses to incorporate them or not, the potential for reversed cards to add layers of insight makes them a valuable component of advanced tarot reading.