Should You Use Reversed Cards in Your Tarot Readings?

Not everyone who reads Tarot chooses to read reversed tarot cards. Additionally, those who are new to Tarot readings may not know how to read reversed Tarot cards. However, reversed Tarot cards can provide an additional layer of insight into your readings. There is a big difference between upright and reversed Tarot cards. You will need to know when it is appropriate to use these Tarot cards in your readings so that you can get the most out of the practice.

If you like the intrigue and insight that you get from your average Tarot card reading; just wait. Reversed Tarot cards will add a whole new layer of complexity and depth to your readings. Additionally, Tarot card reversals will quickly illustrate any imbalances in the reading. As well as any underlying problems or unknown factors that you may have been obvious with upright Tarot cards. Reversals are also very helpful in answering those simple “yes” or “no” questions that always seem to come up. The upside-down is “no” and the right side up is “yes”.

Another reason to use reversed Tarot cards includes new ways of working with your cards and conducting readings. They can give you better insight and understanding due to their hidden meanings. For example, The Fool often means risky and carefree behavior. However, The Fool reversed could mean anxiety about the future, an inability to make a decision, or being too careful or safe. 

Reading reversed Tarot cards is more complicated than organizing all of the cards in the traditional way. Not only do you need to know the meanings of all 78 cards, but you need to also know their inverse meaning so that you can interpret the reversed cards that come up in your readings.

That means knowing 156 possible meanings for any card reading. If all of the possibilities excite you, go for it! Otherwise, it may be best to wait until you have a good grasp of the basic meanings before you try to integrate reversed Tarot cards into your repertoire. Of course, learning the first 78 is a big jump start because reversals quite often start with the opposite meaning. Above all the art on the cards is always your best clue as to the author’s meaning. Therefore it is not quite as overwhelming as it may seem at first.

As we mentioned above, one of the main reasons not to use reversed Tarot cards is the increased complexity that it adds to each reading. If you have been reading for some time, it can allow you to expand your readings and get more out of each one. Again, if you are new to readings or you are having trouble keeping tabs on your readings already, it may make sense to keep it simple.

Certainly, if you are conducting a reading and a reversed card happens to make its way into your reading, don’t panic. Just turn the card right-side up. Since your intent was not to incorporate a reversed Tarot card, you won’t need to worry about any extra meanings.

For instance, you can always try giving it a shot if you feel that the reversed card was intentional in some way. Even if you start reading reversed Tarot cards and decide that it is not for you, it is not a problem. You can go back to traditional readings. You always have the option to look at the spread and document it. Come back after some time and see how accurate the upright reading was vs the Reverse.

You can always change your mind about how you read the message. However, you may want to conduct a Tarot card cleanse first. Or try a different deck for different types of questions. Different Decks with different artists can certainly create different moods.

In conclusion, it is up to you whether or not there is a good reason to use reversed Tarot cards. Some readers swear by it while others may have tried it and didn’t like it. Beginners may never have dabbled in reversed readings and that is ok too.

The Reversed Tarot Cards Meaning

Major Arcana Tarot Card Reversal Meanings

• Fool Tarot Card Reversed: Hesitation, indecisiveness, poor decision or bad choice, apathy.
• Magician: Ill-willed, unimaginative, insecurity.
• High Priestess: Selfishness, shallowness, no understanding, ignorant.
• Empress: Change of location, indecisiveness, poor concentration, infidelity, cheating.
• Emperor: Indecisiveness, immature, poor strength, secondary emotions.
• Hierophant: Impotence, repeated errors, unorthodox, unconventional, invention.
• Lovers: Separation, not trustworthy, fickle-minded, unreliable.
• Chariot: Unsuccessful, failure, loss, conflict.
• Strength: Weakness, illness, power abuse, poor faith, tyranny.
• Hermit: Rash decisions, foolishness, immaturity, imprudence.
• Wheel of Fortune: Bad luck, interruption, bad fate, ill influence, failure.
• Justice: Intolerance, abuse, bias, accusations.
• Hanged Man: Wasted sacrifice, poor effort, unwillingness, wrong prophecy.
• Death: Stagnant, immobility, narrow escape, slow change.
• Temperance: Conflict, hostility, impatient, frustration, dispute.
• The Devil: Release, overcome problems, divorce, break-up, separation, loss.
• Tower: Getting back, entrapment, imprisonment, captivity.The Star: Unfulfilled wish, bad dreams, disappointment, imbalance.
• Moon: Discovery of deception, warning, caution, mistakes.
• Sun: Loneliness, sadness, broken marriage, unfriendliness, no contentment.
• Judgment: Delay, disappointment, indecisiveness, procrastination.
• World: Imperfection, disappointing, no vision.

Suit of Wands Reversed Meanings

• Ace of Wands: Selfishness to spoil ventures, setbacks, journey cancellation.
• Two of Wands: Caution, dominance by others.
• Three of Wands: Mistakes, scattered energy, carelessness, pride, arrogance.
• Four of Wands: Appreciation, peace, harmony.
• Five of Wands: Generosity, opportunities.
• Six of Wands: Delayed rewards and recognition, trips postponed, pride.
• Seven of Wands: Threat, indecision, impatient.
• Eight of Wands: Violence, aggression, domestic disputes, arguments, fights.
• Nine of Wands: Unwillingness to fight, poor character, poor health.
• Ten of Wands: Energy, strength, vindictiveness, clever, shrewd.
• Page of Wands: Instability, heartbroken, bad news.
• Knight of Wands: Jealous, narrow-minded, suspicious, doubtful.
• Queen of Wands: Strict, deceit, infidelity, revengeful.
• King of Wands: Unyielding, intolerance, prejudice.

Suit of Cups Reversed Meanings

• Ace of Cups: Hesitant, selfish, egoistic.
• Two of Cups: Imbalanced relationship, misunderstanding, loss of love.
• Three of Cups: Overindulgence, gossiping, pain.
• Four of Cups: Possibility of a new relationship, new goals, action, ambition.
• Five of Cups: Returned hope or loved one, beginning of a new relationship.
• Six of Cups: Disappointing friendships, living in the past.
• Seven of Cups: Determined, willpower, definite direction.
• Eight of Cups: Need for pleasure, the pursuit of contentment.
• Nine of Cups: Money needed, illness, unfulfilled wishes.
• Ten of Cups: Family dispute, loss of friendship, children turn hostile against parents.
• Page of Cups: Selfishness, not imaginative.
• Knight of Cups: Fraud, cheating, trickery, idle.
• Queen of Cups: Perverse, happiness turns bitter.
• King of Cups: Violent, crafty, scandals.

Suit of Swords Reversed Meanings

• Ace of Swords: Unruly use of power, tyranny, obstacles.
• Two of Swords: Danger when dealing with people, release.
• Three of Swords: Confusion, unorganized, loss.
• Four of Swords: Strikes, unrest, activity renewal.
• Five of Swords: Unfairness, useless victory.
• Six of Swords: Postponed journey, difficulties and obstacles worsen.
• Seven of Swords: Good counsel, advice, retrieval of theft items.
• Eight of Swords: New beginnings, freedom, relaxation.
• Nine of Swords: Healing, patience, good news.
• Ten of Swords: Overthrown evil forces, successful, health betterment.
• Page of Swords: Cunning, bad health, events occurring unexpectedly, imposture.
• Knight of Swords: Troublemaker, tyranny, secretive.
• Queen of Swords: Cruel, sly, narrow-minded, counselor.
• King of Swords: Evil intentioned, obstinate, unfair.

Suit of Pentacles Reversed Tarot Card Meanings

• Ace of Pentacles: Greedy, materialistic, misery.
• Two of Pentacles: Bad news, difficult situations.
• Three of Pentacles: Neglect of quality.
• Four of Pentacles: Loss of possessions, delays, obstacles, spendthrift
• Five of Pentacles: Courage, new employment, and interest.
• Six of Pentacles: Unfair, bribe, threats, jealousy.
• Seven of Pentacles: Poor progress, anxiety, impatience, unprofitable investments.
• Eight of Pentacles: Skills not put to use, not hardworking, no ambition.
• Nine of Pentacles: Loss, danger.
• Ten of Pentacles: Misfortune with the family, dull mind.
• Page of Pentacles: Waste, rebel, luxury, bad news.
• Knight of Pentacles: Irresponsible, impatience, carelessness, timidness.
• Queen of Pentacles: Over-dependent, neglected, suspicious, not trustworthy.
• King of Pentacles: Anger, bribes, materialism.