Divination 101 - The Tarot Deck Continued

Finding the Reversed Tarot Card Meanings.
This is an article I found that should help to explain how to read reversed Tarot Cards. If this does not fully explain, simply just comment and I'll try my best to help. Sorry this was short and simple, but my life has gotten busy at the moment. Good luck everyone!
Information for this post came from the website http://tarotelements.com/6649/using-reversed-tarot-cards/

The Secret to Using Reversed Tarot Cards for Empowering Readings.

“Reversed Tarot cards?! Ugh, I would never use those. They’re so negative!”

I was having what was, up until this point, a pleasant conversation with a group of Tarot enthusiasts about interpreting the Tarot cards. The conversation drifted towards the topic of reversed Tarot cards and suddenly the mood changed. “Reversed Tarot cards?!” I looked around the group and there was a look of shock, horror and dismay at the mere suggestion of using reversed Tarot cards in a reading. “Ugh, I would never use those. They’re so negative!”

What?! I was taken aback by such a passionate response from my colleagues. As someone who has used reversed Tarot cards in readings for more than 10 years, had I been providing such negative readings to my clients? I didn’t think so. I have always been so focused on empowering the client, rather than creating unnecessary worrying. So what made my interpretations of reversed Tarot cards different?

I started thinking… do we really know how to use reversed Tarot cards to their full potential, to empower the client and create a positive path forward? What’s the secret?!

Why Use Reversed Tarot Cards in the First Place?

You might think that with 78 Tarot cards in a typical deck, surely there’s enough depth and meaning in those cards to conduct an accurate and insightful Tarot reading. True.

But what if you could double it to 156 Tarot cards? Perhaps you could even double your Tarot insight? This is the power of reversed Tarot cards.

What I love most about using reversed Tarot cards is that it offers a multi-dimensional view. We start to see the light and shade, highs and lows, yin and yang of each card. We begin to understand that the energy of each card ebbs and flows, increases and decreases, and can be released or blocked.

This, to me, is a reflection of life itself. Nothing is ever in the one state of ‘being’. Instead, there is impermanence and the knowledge that life is on a continual cycle from one state to another. Using reversed Tarot cards helps to identify these cycles and locate where the client is on their journey.

Do Reversed Tarot Cards Really Have to be so Negative?

Unfortunately, there are many interpretations of Tarot cards in the reversed or ‘ill-dignified’ position that are indeed negative. Take, for example, the traditional meaning of the Three of Wands reversed. “Ulterior motives. Distrust, treachery, deceit. Interrupted by misfortune” (cited in Mary Greer’s book “The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals”, p.103). With these types of interpretations, it is little wonder that so many people are put off by reversed Tarot cards.

But do reversals really have to be that negative?

I think not. In fact, I am a strong believer that using reversed Tarot cards in readings can be empowering and insightful. When we understand the multiple dimensions that reversed Tarot cards bring to a reading, we can begin to use these insights to help the client release any blockages, avoid any dangers, address any challenges and maximise opportunities. It all comes down to how the reversed cards are interpreted.

5 Ways to Interpret Reversed Tarot Cards… And Empower Your Clients

So, what is the secret to using reversed Tarot cards for empowering readings?

Here are five ways to interpret reversed Tarot cards in your readings so that you can empower your client and avoid the ‘doom and gloom’ that is so often associated with reversals.
(NOTE: There are many other ways in which the reversed Tarot cards can be interpreted (such as a ‘no’ to a question, the opposite of the upright card and delays – read more at http://www.biddytarot.com/blog/how-to-interpret-reversed-tarot-cards). I have chosen to focus on the methods below to illustrate how reversed cards can be used to empower clients and create a positive, helpful and practical reading.)

1. Releasing blocked energy

Reversals often signify that the energy of the card is currently blocked or repressed. If you can identify where a blockage exists, then you can also identify how to remove the blockage. Focus on manifesting the free-flowing energy of the card. Look to other cards in the reading or draw a clarifying card to understand what action needs to be taken to release the blockage.

2. Mastering the lesson of the previous card

In his book “Mastering The Tarot”, Paul Fenton-Smith suggests that a reversed Tarot card implies a need to return to the previous card. There is an important life lesson that has not yet been mastered or completely understood, and therefore the client is advised to reflect on this card’s energy to improve current circumstances. For example, if you drew the reversed Two of Pentacles and were facing financial disorganisation, you need to return to the Ace of Pentacles so that you can prioritise your financial goals and set yourself a budget.
Personally, this is one of my favourite methods as it offers hope and a clear path forward.

3. Identifying unconscious awareness

Sometimes, reversed Tarot cards can reflect that the energy of the card remains in the unconscious mind and has not yet been revealed to the client. The beauty of seeing this in a reading is that it is brought into the client’s conscious awareness. The client is then given the opportunity to address the issue or maximise the opportunity.

4. Clearing negative energy

Another way of interpreting reversed cards is that the energy of the upright card is either increased or decreased. For example, the Ten of Swords signifies a painful ending and betrayal. When reversed, the energy may be weakened, indicating that a difficult period is over and the client can begin to heal. This can be a positive message in itself and is encouraging for the client who may have been suffering.

5. Identifying potential challenges

Often, reversed cards indicate obstacles or challenges that stand in the way of the client’s ability to achieve their desired outcomes. While we don’t always like to hear about challenges, the advantage is that it can act like a warning system ahead of time. It provides the opportunity for the client to consider where they are going off course or why these challenges are being encountered, and then put in place necessary actions to get back on course.

Putting it Into Practice

Let’s see how this works with a real life reading. Being a mother of a 9 week old and a 2 year old, I asked the cards what I need to know about managing my family. I drew Temperance reversed.

The traditional meaning is, “Competition. Impatience. Frustration.” Uh, ok. Thanks. That’s a no-brainer!

Instead, I am going to use some of the methods outlined above to create what I believe is a more empowering reading.

We know that Temperance is about patience, balance and moderation. Reversed, this card indicates blockages to accessing this energy, or perhaps the qualities of Temperance are already within me (i.e. an unconscious awareness). To help bring a state of peace and calm to my family life, I therefore need to focus on creating balance and moderation and allowing that energy to flow naturally in my day-to-day activities. (I just started meditation classes, so that’s a step in the right direction.)

And perhaps I need to return to the lesson of the previous card, Death, and acknowledge that I am in the midst of a major life change right now. By acknowledging that a major change is taking place, I can become more accepting of my current circumstances. This in turn creates patience and moderation in my approach.

Of course, I could go on. However, it should be apparent that by using even just a handful of these simple interpretation methods it is possible to create an empowering reading that clearly identifies what actions need to be taken to rectify the situation.

So much for reversed Tarot cards only being negative!!

A Final Word

Sure, reversed Tarot cards can be portrayed as ‘negative’. But I encourage you to look beyond these simplistic and often negative interpretations, and challenge yourself to find the positive element in reversed Tarot cards. Go into your reading with the intent of empowering your client and you will find that the reversed Tarot cards enable you to do this in ways that often the upright cards cannot. Draw upon the methods I have suggested, and even create your own. This is the secret to using reversed Tarot cards for empowering readings!

Brigit