New question/discussion…..I was working on learning my cards in all aspects….basically forward and reversed….However’; finding out that learning with all Face up is much helpful…..I am able to see where a card might night fit in—maybe supposed to be a reverse?—-this is helping me to see the overall picture….then in a little while, I will be able to understand the reverses better (considering, I understand the forward cards…makes reverse, that much easier)….not just words…but in the feeling/intuition of the card…..a reverse does not necessarily mean the opposite. That is what I am learning in reading all the cards upright to start. Just a note….don’t know if it helps anyone or not….just a note on the journey I am making.
Merry January 1——ahhhh…which calendar do you follow….Gregorian, Wiccan, Chinese…..
I agree, this is a great topic for a new discussion! I hope you don’t mind that I’ve upgraded it into a space of its own. Comments tend to get buried deep in other threads, so hopefully this way the tarot and divination enthusiasts will know to come in and share their thoughts
I was stuck on this revelation for a long time when I first starting reading tarot cards. It already felt overwhelming with the 78 regular card meanings! “Opposite the upright” felt to me like the easiest way to handle reversed. It took me quite a while to accept that not every reversed is just a “not” before the upright definition, but then once I did, it felt like I suddenly had double the cards to work with, which is double the possibilities!
All that is to say, I think it’s normal and natural for our reading practices to shift and develop along with us. I’d say you’re doing great with your explorations - congrats on your work so far
Wonderful topic of discussion! I think there’s often a misconception that a reversed card is a bad thing and portends terrible things. When I first started reading cards years ago, that was what I was told. I also found that learning tarot is hard enough when you’re trying to learn the meanings of 78 cards, and there was no reason I had to make it twice as hard by reading reversals until I was ready.
I’ve learned over time that reversed cards are more like blocked energy, defeatable obstacles, or tough love, pointing out when we’re not choosing things that serve our greater good. I don’t think there’s ever a time now when I pull a reversed card and think “Oh, no” and feel dread.
My advice to all (and take it for the unsolicited advice that it is) is that if you are new to tarot and still learning, you don’t have to add reversals to your repertoire until you feel ready for them. If you never do feel comfortable reading them, that’s perfectly OK too! MANY well-known and professional tarot card readers don’t include reversals in their practice.
Wonderful topic of discussion @leilani1, and thank you for sharing your thoughts on it!
Thank-you for the thoughts, and I have been leaning towards learning them upright first, and then yes, a reversed does not necessarily mean the opposite, but possible blocked, or not paying attention to what the card is telling us. Thank-you so much for the clear up. It has been easier reading all face up, and then figuring out what the reverse may be.
I´m one of the readers who wont do reversals. I have my cards always sorted in one direction and lay them always upright. But because of this, if one jumps out while shuffling (which always makes me a bit grumpy) and lands reversed I kind of HAVE TO consider it. Because I take such great care that they´re all in the same direction, I feel it´s a sign, if one of them manages to still turn around. I don´t know…does that make sense?
Which is absolutely the right way to work with jumping cards or runes, right. I don´t even know why every time I´m a little displeased, I guess it just triggers a shadow that I have to work with more. Because things falling down, making “a mess”, speaking without being asked etc. was punished in my childhood.
This goes to show once more, that knowing about a shadow, doesn´t heal it. It takes active steps and - sometimes - repeated healing work.
Thank you, Eira, for bringing light to this! See, with your help it was easy to figure out.
I understand where you’re coming from. When I first started learning tarot, I would get upset if I fumbled the cards, dropped them, or couldn’t shuffle right. I’d take the negative road. But then one day, three cards shot out in different directions and all I could do was laugh. In that moment, I told myself, someone is trying to get your attention, this is not a failure. From that point on, when something unexpected happens, I thank my guides, the Gods, and make note of what that special card or cards have to say!
I try and keep my cards all upright in their box and when I’m shuffling. But every now and then one gets flipped or dropped so I have to go with it, I take it as a sign from the universe, lol.
As far as how to interpret them - I have to go by the guidebook or I don’t have a clue. But in fact the guide book for my Earth Woman deck doesn’t include reversed cards, so when I do pull one, I refer back to my digital Decoding the Cards, by Writual Planner.
