Ask ten tarot readers whether they use reversals and you'll get ten different answers. Some swear by them. Others never use them. Both approaches are valid — and understanding why will help you make an informed choice for your own practice.
What Are Reversals?
A reversal occurs when a tarot card appears upside down in a reading. Depending on your approach, this can carry a distinct meaning from the upright card — or it can be ignored entirely. There is no single "correct" way to handle reversals. What matters is consistency and intention within your own practice.
Arguments for Using Reversals
Readers who use reversals often find that they add nuance and depth to a reading. A reversed card can indicate:
- Blocked or internalized energy — the card's energy is present but turned inward or suppressed
- Resistance or delay — the upright meaning is being resisted or hasn't fully manifested yet
- Shadow aspects — the darker or more challenging expression of the card's energy
- A weakened version of the upright meaning — the energy is present but diminished
- The opposite of the upright meaning — some readers use a simple polarity approach
With 78 cards in a deck, reversals effectively double your vocabulary to 156 possible expressions — giving you a much richer language for complex situations.
Arguments Against Using Reversals
Many experienced readers choose not to use reversals at all, and their readings are no less accurate or insightful. Their reasoning:
- The upright cards already contain both light and shadow within their meanings
- Reversals can create confusion, especially for beginners still learning the cards
- The surrounding cards in a spread provide enough context for nuance
- Intuition and card position can convey everything a reversal would
How to Decide What's Right for You
If you're new to tarot, consider starting without reversals. Master the upright meanings first, then introduce reversals when you feel ready. If you're an experienced reader who has never used them, try incorporating them for a month and see how it affects your readings.
The most important thing is to set your intention before you shuffle. Decide whether you're reading with or without reversals, and be consistent within each reading.
Common Reversal Interpretation Methods
- Shadow method — the reversed card reveals what's hidden, suppressed, or unacknowledged
- Blocked energy method — the card's energy exists but is being obstructed
- Internalized method — the energy is turned inward rather than expressed outwardly
- Polarity method — the reversed meaning is roughly opposite to the upright
Trust Your Intuition
Ultimately, reversals are a tool — not a rule. Your relationship with your deck is personal, and the way you read should reflect your own intuitive language. Experiment, observe, and trust what resonates.
The cards will meet you wherever you are.
— Marie Mystic
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