To reverse or not to reverse? That is the question.
Once we’ve acquired an understanding of the basic meaning of the cards, the next thing we ask ourselves is whether or not to use reversals in our readings. When reversals get to be too disruptive and interfere with our work, it is best not to use them. When they are used, reversals can, however, enrich our readings with additional information. Reversals offer us a different way of looking at the card’s influence in the situation. Upside-down cards let us know at a glance that something is blocking the full potential of the upright energy, hindering the flow in the natural direction, altering slightly the meaning of the upright interpretation.
Arguably the most important thing we can do as tarot readers is to take a moment to center and ground before any reading. The way we choose to take this moment of silence differs for everyone. In my practice, I will always do a simple meditation holding the cards before starting to shuffle. Sometimes I also light a candle, do a banishing spell, and set up a formal ritual space. Taking time for stillness at the beginning of the readings helps us calm the active mind. When we tap into the right-hemisphere traits and tell the left-hemisphere ones to hush, intuitiveness flourishes.
Reversals can seem tricky at first, but there is some method to their madness. It helps me to think of reversals like this: If the upright card were like seeing with standard vision, the reversal would be like looking at the card through filtered lenses of various colors, or maybe a magnifying glass or a kaleidoscope.
So how do we know when we should be using the blue-colored lenses instead of yellow ones? It’s all a matter of perception. We have to know ourselves well enough to trust our gut instinct. The goal is not to force a meaning to come forth, but to let the essence being expressed flow up from the subconscious so that our receptive minds can transform the message into an intelligible statement for the left brain.
In other words, we allow our more creative right brain to take us on that path through the forest of the imagination, imagination in the sense of brainstorming (not fantasy or make-believe). When we do this, we open our mind up to being receptive instead of productive. We won’t have to ask, which lenses to use, that is, which method to apply, but we will already know instinctively whether we’re using the rosy-colored ones or the green ones. We hone instinct by listening without judgement or interjection to what comes up. If interpretations don’t come easily at first, don’t be discouraged. The more practice, the easier this becomes.
Here are some of the many lenses that can be applied to reading reversals. The most obvious meaning for reversals is the flat-out opposite of the upright meaning (but we should take caution to prevent this interpretation from becoming the default). Several or a majority of reversals in a reading could signify that internal processes are more applicable to the situation than external ones. Reversals could also simply indicate that the influence of the card will not be as strong or as pervasive as it would be if upright, or on the opposite end of that spectrum, the influence is stronger than otherwise. And yet in other cases, reversals could signify that timing will be delayed.
Let’s apply some of these lenses and look at our collective card for 2020, The Emperor (covered in last week’s post). In his upright aspects, The Emperor can represent someone who has a good solid grip on life, is a good leader, has things under control, or is an honorable father or authority figure. So, the Emperor reversed could mean that someone does not have their grip on reality, that things are not in control. There could be problems with a father figure or people in positions of authority. The Emperor reversed could also indicate a tyrant, a dictator, or someone who is abusing a position of power. Or maybe the answers will be found on the inside instead of in the external world, which in the case of the Emperor means focusing on our own relationships with the themes of ruling, discipline, order, structure, and stability in our lives. Lastly, The Emperor reversed could also be telling us that the security and protection will come, just later rather than sooner.
If you have never worked with reversals before, I hope this explanation will have given you new ways of looking at them. Try on as many lenses as possible. Maybe reversals will work for you, maybe they won’t. Remember to listen to your intuition. Your intuition is honest and will guide you to knowing which methods work and which don’t. Be open to the ideas that come up. Follow what feels right. Maybe some colors, symbols, or aspects of the card will stand out in ways never noticed before. On the flip side, you may even discover some new lenses of your own.
Happy taroting!
Violet