Lesson 6 · 4 min read
Reversed tarot cards
A reversed card usually shows the upright meaning blocked, turned inward, delayed or out of balance, not simply its opposite.
What a reversal is
A card is reversed when it lands upside down. Some readers use reversals and some don't. Both ways are fine, as long as you decide before you shuffle.
Four ways to read a reversal
Blocked: the card's energy is there but can't flow. The reversed Ace of Wands is a creative spark that won't catch.
Inward: the meaning is happening inside you rather than around you. The reversed Hermit can mean loneliness rather than chosen solitude.
Too much or too little: the card's quality is out of balance. The reversed Strength can be self-doubt, or holding on too hard.
Delayed: what the card promises is coming, but more slowly.
A reversal is not always bad
Difficult cards often soften when reversed. The reversed Tower can mean a crisis avoided or a change you are already through, and the reversed Ten of Swords shows recovery after the worst has passed.
Every card page on this site gives both the upright and reversed meaning, so you can compare them.
Common questions
Do I have to read reversed cards?
No. Many readers turn every card upright and read only upright meanings. Choose one approach and keep it.
Is a reversed card always negative?
No. A reversal can soften a hard card, and often shows a lesson that is inward or slower rather than bad.
How do I get reversed cards when shuffling?
Turn part of the deck around as you shuffle, or spread the cards on a table and mix them in circles.