tarot cards reversedPinA few years ago, I was having a light-hearted conversation with a group of experienced professional Tarot readers. When I mentioned I loved reading with reversed Tarot cards, however, the conversation suddnely changed…

“What? You read with reversals?!”

“Uh, yes.”

“But they’re so negative and depressing! I don’t ever want to bring my readings down with such bad energy.”

It turned out that these Tarot readers (with a collective experience of 100+ years) weren’t the only ones, either, who were put off by reversed Tarot cards.

I’ve had clients who wanted me to only use upright Tarot cards because they didn’t want a ‘depressing’ reading. And many people in the Biddy Tarot community (who haven’t been through my courses) avoid reversals all together because of the negative associations.

But do reversed Tarot cards really have to be all ‘doom and gloom’?

I say, “No way!”

In fact, I strongly believe that using reversed Tarot cards in a Tarot reading can give a huge amount of extra depth and insight into a situation and ultimately help to empower and inspire the client.

The trick is in how you interpret these upside-down cards.

In this post, I’m going to share with you one of my favorite techniques for interpreting reversed Tarot cards for empowering readings.

Tarot Cards Are Energy

Let’s get back to basics for a second…

Tarot cards are energy. Or more specifically, each card is an expression of energy in its many different formats.

For example, the Five of Wands is an expression of conflict, disagreement and multiple opinions. When we encounter the Five of Wands in our everyday lives, we experience this kind of energy and we feel it.

Or take the Queen of Swords. She is an expression of setting clear boundaries and making firm but fair decisions. Again, this energy can appear in our lives, either as a part of ourselves that is being expressed, or a part of someone else.

Upright Tarot Cards Are ‘Externally Expressed Energy’

When I look at an upright Tarot card, I see it as ‘externally expressed energy’. That is, the energy of that Tarot card is expressed outwardly into the world.

So, for the Five of Wands upright, you are experiencing conflict and disagreement with those around you.

Or with the Queen of Swords, you are setting clear boundaries with others or you are dealing with someone who is setting clear boundaries with you.

It’s energy that is experienced in your external environment and in your relationships with people and situations.

Reversed Tarot Cards Are ‘Internally Expressed Energy’

If upright cards represent externally expressed energy, then reversed Tarot cards are internally expressed energy. That is, energy that is held within or that is more private in nature.

The Five of Wands reversed is no longer about conflict with others, but rather an internal conflict. Think about those times when you’ve been unsure about what path to take and it feels like there are so many parts of you that want different things. You feel conflicted.

And the Queen of Swords reversed is no longer about setting clear boundaries with others, but setting clear boundaries with yourself.

What I love most about this technique is that there is no ‘good’ or ‘bad’ message here. It’s simply where the energy is being felt.

It can also show where changes need to be made or where action needs to be taken. If your Tarot reading is mostly upright cards, then you know you’re dealing with external situations and your relationships with others. If your Tarot reading is mostly reversed cards, then you know you’re dealing with yourself and any required actions or changes need to happen within you first.

Over to You: Create Your Empowered Tarot Reading with Reversals

Time to give this technique a try! Grab your Tarot cards and split the deck into three piles. Turn one pile 180 degrees, so you’re turning some of your upright cards into reversed cards. Then shuffle the deck again.

Now, do a simple 3-card Tarot reading and watch how the upright and reversed Tarot cards interact with each other and give you new insight into where you can best focus your energy.

Share your results below in the Comments – I’d love to hear how it goes for you.