Three Reasons Not to Read Reversed Cards in Tarot

If you’ve just started with tarot or even if you’ve been reading for a while, you’ve probably noticed that almost every guidebook and online resource talks about reversed cards (I do, too). The idea is simple: if a card shows up upside down, it’s significant and changes the meaning. Often the first reaction is: “Oh no, is this the bad version of the card?”. But here’s the thing – it’s not that simple and that’s why I don’t necessarily recommend reading reversals, at least not in the beginning. And honestly, even many seasoned professionals don’t use them at all. Here’s why.

1. Get to Know the Uprights First (Seriously, It’s a Lifetime Job)

This should be your absolute priority. Each tarot card in its upright form already carries layers upon layers of meaning: rich symbolism, archetypes, intuitive tone and even shadow aspects that don’t require the card to show up reversed.

Think of it like learning a language: you wouldn’t start by learning slang, obscure idioms and sarcastic inside jokes before you’ve grasped the grammar. Upright cards already give you plenty to work with. And trust me, they’ll keep surprising you for years to come!

2. Reversals Aren’t Just “The Opposite” (They’re an Entire Art Form)

If you think reversed cards are just the opposite meaning of upright cards, let me stop you right there. A reversed Sun doesn’t mean you’re doomed to eternal darkness. A reversed Lovers doesn’t mean “congratulations, you’re breaking up.”

Reversals can mean blocked energy, inner conflict, delay, distortion, overdoing it – or something else entirely depending on which school of thought you follow. If you think of upright cards having a shadow, think of reversals also having a light side. So which interpretation is right? Well, that’s the tricky part: there’s much less consensus on reversals than on upright cards. Most lists you’ll find online are inconsistent, contradictory or just simply lazy.

The truth is: you’re only truly good at reading reversals once you’ve deeply understood the upright cards. And that takes time.

3. You Don’t Have To (Really. No Tarot Police.)

Let me say this clearly: you don’t have to read reversals. No one is checking your spreads. Many professionals don’t use them at all and still deliver incredibly powerful readings. Some prefer to read only uprights and use surrounding cards and their intuition to notice when a card’s energy is blocked, distorted or not fully expressed. And guess what? It works. Your tarot practice is yours.

Final Thought:
Tarot is already rich, complex and endlessly fascinating without reversals. After many years of reading, I still find details in the upright cards I’ve never noticed before. The easiest way is to start simple and check your deck before shuffling for any reversed cards. If you do want to incorporate them (maybe later when you’re more confident in the upright meanings), reversals can be a way of meaningfully deepening your practice – and I can show you how here!

Want to Go Deeper?

If you’re a lovefool like me and really want to dive into what the tarot cards mean in the context of your love life – I have exciting news!

✨ I’m currently putting the finishing touches on my Complete Tarot Love & Feelings Guide – a downloadable treasure trove that helps you decode every single card in the context of love. In this guide, I dedicate four (!) pages to each tarot card. You’ll learn:

what their feelings are (crush, relationship or ex)
how they see you
their intentions towards you
love outcome and love advice
what the card wants to remind you of
about the card’s upright shadow and its reversed meanings
whether it’s a yes or no (or maybe) in the context of love
what the cards mean as a person (looks, demeanor, zodiac sign, Human Design type and authority)
what the cards mean concerning pregnancy, marriage and where you’ll meet
tips and valuable advice from my own experience with the cards in readings

📩 Be sure you’re on the mailing list so you don’t miss the release – it’s coming very soon!

Click Here for the Waitlist!