Tarot is more than fortune-telling—it’s a sacred mirror for our inner world. Every spread you lay is a story waiting to be told. But what happens when a card appears upside down? This is where reversed tarot cards come in—a topic that sparks curiosity, debate, and even hesitation among readers.
Should you read reversals in your tarot practice? The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all. Like much of the spiritual path, it’s about resonance, intuition, and purpose.
In this article, we’ll explore what reversed cards mean, the benefits and drawbacks of using them, and practical, intuitive techniques for weaving them into your readings (or deciding not to).
What Is a Reversed Tarot Card?
Ever pulled a tarot card and noticed it’s upside down? That’s a reversed card — and no, it’s not a mistake. In fact, it’s often where the real magic begins.
Reversed cards are like whispered messages from the subconscious. They might point to energy that’s stuck, a lesson you’re still digesting, or a pattern that’s looping back for another round. Sometimes they shine a light on what’s happening beneath the surface — the stuff we’re not quite ready to see head-on.
Picture this: The Lovers card upright speaks of connection, harmony, and heartfelt choices. But when it flips? Suddenly you might be staring down avoidance, a fork in the road, or a relationship that feels more like a mirror for old wounds than a source of joy.
A lot of folks flinch at reversals, thinking they’re “bad.” But they’re not. They’re more like astrology’s retrogrades — cosmic cues to pause, go inward, and do a little soul inventory. If you’re curious how that plays out in the sky, this guide to Mercury retrograde breaks it down beautifully — think less chaos, more cosmic recalibration.
Why Some Readers Embrace Reversals
Including reversed tarot cards can bring extraordinary depth to your practice. Here’s why many readers love working with them:
1. They Expand Symbolic Range
Reversals open the door to a richer symbolic world. Just like the phases of the Moon don’t always glow bright and full, tarot too has its softer shadows. A reversed card doesn’t mean something’s “wrong” — it just invites you to look from a different angle, like tilting a prism to catch unexpected colors.
2. They Reveal Hidden Patterns
Sometimes, a reversed card is the only one bold enough to point out what we’re pretending not to see. Old grief. Fear masquerading as control. A pattern we thought we’d outgrown. Reversals act like mirrors for the inner terrain — especially those emotional knots that want to unravel but haven’t yet.
3. They Sharpen Intuition
There’s no rulebook for reversed cards — and that’s the gift. They train you to trust your gut. To go beyond keywords and lean into what the card feels like. Reading them builds a kind of quiet confidence: the more you trust your inner voice, the clearer the messages become. If you’re curious how to strengthen that intuitive muscle, check out Ethony’s guide “Intuitive Tarot Readings for Beginners” — it’s full of practical, heartfelt steps to help you tune into your inner knowing.
4. They Add Realism to Readings
Some readers say reversed cards carry a heavier charge — and in emotionally intense sessions, that energy can be a bit much. Rather than offer clarity, they might add static. If that’s your experience, it’s completely valid to opt out and still give powerful, intuitive readings.
Why Others Avoid Using Reversals
Of course, not everyone vibes with reversals. And that’s okay. Some tarot readers love the layered depth they bring, while others find them distracting — or even energetically off-putting. Here’s why some folks skip them:
1. Doubles the Learning Curve
Tarot already asks a lot — 78 cards, each with layers of meaning. Add reversals, and you’re suddenly navigating 156 interpretations. For beginners, that can feel more overwhelming than enlightening.
2. Can Create Confusion
Without a clear way to interpret them, reversals can muddy the waters. Especially in larger spreads, it’s easy to get lost in “what does this upside-down card really mean?”
3. Aesthetic Disruption
Let’s face it: a reversed card can mess with the vibe. If you’re someone who photographs your spreads or just loves a visually harmonious layout, that flipped image might feel like a thorn in the rose.
4. Sensitive Energies
Some readers say reversed cards carry a heavier charge — and in emotionally intense sessions, that energy can be a bit much. Rather than offer clarity, they might add static. If that’s your experience, it’s completely valid to opt out and still give powerful, intuitive readings.
Reversal Techniques for Intuitive Readers
So, you’re curious about using reversals — but the idea still feels a bit… upside down? Don’t worry. There’s no “one way” to read them. Start with an approach that feels natural to you, and let it evolve as your confidence grows.
Some readers shuffle their deck so that cards can freely flip, trusting that what needs to be reversed will be. Others choose to assign reversed meanings only when a card feels reversed energetically — even if it’s physically upright. Intuition leads the way here, not hard rules.
Another gentle starting point? Use reversals in specific spreads — maybe just your monthly reading or when you’re looking for insight into what’s blocked or unresolved. That way, you’re not overwhelmed, but you still open space for deeper nuance.
Some folks rotate only certain cards in the deck before shuffling — say, just the Majors, or only the ones related to inner growth. That lets the reversals show up with more focused intention, like a spotlight on key themes.
And finally, remember: you don’t have to keep them reversed when you lay them out. Some readers flip the card upright to read its reversed meaning, so the visual doesn’t disrupt the spread. It’s your practice. Your rhythm. Let it reflect your own sacred style.
1. Define Your Reversal Philosophy
Decide ahead of time what reversed cards mean to you. Are they internal experiences? Signs of resistance? Calls for shadow work? Choose one or two core ideas and stay consistent.
2. Use Body Awareness
Pay attention to how your body reacts to a reversal. A sense of discomfort or tightness might point to emotional resistance or buried truth. Your body can guide interpretation.
3. Pull a Clarifier
If a reversed card confuses you, draw an additional upright card. Use it to bring balance or offer context. The clarifier doesn’t “correct” the reversal—it expands the message.
4. Layer with Astrology or Elements
For example, a reversed Water card (Cups) might suggest emotional stagnation or codependency. A reversed Fire card (Wands) may signal burnout or impulsiveness. Add astrological context: is Mercury retrograde? Is Saturn making a hard aspect in your chart?
5. Journal Your Reversals
Keep a tarot journal to record the reversed cards you draw and what they revealed. Over time, you’ll notice patterns and refine your intuitive understanding.
Alternative Approach: Reading Without Reversals
Here’s the thing: not every reader uses reversals — and their readings are still deep, sharp, and full of clarity. If flipping cards upside-down feels off to you, try one of these soulful alternatives.
Some readers prefer to skip reversals entirely, not because they’re afraid of shadow work — but because they’ve found other ways to access it. This insightful piece by Liz Worth dives into why skipping reversals can still lead to meaningful, honest readings — and how you can develop your own approach with full confidence.
Contextual Reading
Keep all cards upright, but let their meaning flex depending on where they land in the spread, what the question is, and which cards surround them. Upright doesn’t have to mean one-note.
Symbolic Orientation
Notice which way figures in the cards are facing. A Page looking away from The Lovers might suggest avoidance, even if it’s upright. Body language matters — even on cardstock.
Energetic Focus
Tune into the vibe. Is there resistance? Flow? Tension? You don’t always need a reversed card to sense what’s stuck.
Oracle Integration
Layer your tarot with oracle cards or astrology. Sometimes a Moon card paired with a shadow-themed oracle offers more than any reversal could.
Should You Read Reversals? Ask Yourself:
Let’s be real: tarot isn’t a test. It’s a relationship — between you, your deck, and the energy moving through both. So the question isn’t should you use reversals. It’s: Do you feel called to?
Ask yourself:
- Do reversals help me dig deeper — or do they just leave me spinning?
- Do I feel more connected when I use them… or when I don’t?
- Am I open to experimenting and seeing how they land in my practice?
There’s no gold star for using reversals. There’s just the version of tarot that feels most you.eels aligned, clear, and empowering.
A Note from My Own Tarot Table
I’ll admit it — I used to skip reversals. They felt clunky and a bit intimidating. But one day, a reversed card landed in a spread and spoke louder than anything else on the table. It named what wasn’t being said. Since then, I don’t use them every time — but I no longer ignore them.
Reversals aren’t for everyone. But sometimes, the card flipped upside-down is the one that turns your whole perspective right-side up.
Conclusion: Your Tarot, Your Rules
This is your path. Your magic. Tarot isn’t about following rigid rules — it’s about finding rhythm. Maybe reversals open new doors for you. Maybe they don’t. Either way, your presence and intention are what make a reading sacred.
Try it for a week. Shuffle with reversals in play. Journal. Reflect. Let your cards speak — and listen with an open heart.
And if at the end you decide, “Nope, not for me”? That decision is part of your wisdom, too.
Let your tarot evolve with you. Let it reflect your seasons, your shadows, your truth.
Try This Ritual
Next time a card lands reversed, don’t rush. Don’t flip it right-side up. Just pause. Place one hand on your heart and ask:
“What truth am I resisting right now?”
Then breathe. Let your body soften. And listen.
You already know the way.
