When a tarot card appears upside-down in a reading, it is called a reversal. Reversed tarot cards do not simply mean the opposite of the upright meaning — they add nuance, depth, and often point to internal processes, blocked energy, or a subtler expression of the card's themes.
What Does a Reversed Card Actually Mean?
There are several schools of thought on reversals, and most experienced readers use a combination:
Blocked or delayed energy. The card's positive qualities are present but not flowing freely. Something is preventing the full expression of that energy.
Internal rather than external. The upright card often describes external events or visible traits. The reversal points to the same theme playing out internally or privately.
Shadow expression. The card's energy is present but expressing in an unhealthy or imbalanced way. The strengths have tipped into excess.
Resistance or avoidance. You may be resisting the lesson or opportunity the card represents.
Should You Use Reversals in Your Readings?
This is one of the most debated topics in tarot. Some readers always use reversals, arguing they add 78 additional meanings and make readings more nuanced. Others never use them, preferring to read all cards upright and relying on surrounding cards for context.
Neither approach is wrong. If you are a beginner, start without reversals to build confidence with the 78 upright meanings. Add reversals later when you feel comfortable.
How to Read Reversed Cards in Practice
When a reversed card appears, consider the context. What is the question? What cards surround it? Which interpretation (blocked energy, internal process, shadow expression, or resistance) makes the most sense given the situation?
For example, The Sun reversed does not mean sadness — it might mean you are struggling to feel the joy and confidence that are available to you, or that your self-expression is being dimmed by external circumstances.
Common Reversed Meanings for Major Arcana
- ✦The Fool reversed — recklessness, fear of taking necessary risks
- ✦The Magician reversed — manipulation, untapped potential
- ✦The High Priestess reversed — ignoring intuition, secrets
- ✦The Empress reversed — creative block, self-neglect
- ✦The Emperor reversed — rigidity, abuse of authority
- ✦The Tower reversed — resisting necessary change, internal upheaval
- ✦The Star reversed — loss of hope, disconnection from purpose
- ✦The World reversed — incomplete cycle, almost but not quite there
Tips for Reading Reversals
- 1.Do not panic when reversed cards appear — they are not inherently negative
- 2.Consider all possible interpretations before settling on one
- 3.Let the surrounding cards help clarify the reversal's specific meaning
- 4.Trust your first instinct about what the reversal is pointing to
- 5.Remember that reversals often indicate something is happening internally