For some reason I keep running into people talking about how Tarot readers, especially beginners, shouldn't use Reverse orientations. I'm taking this as a sign that I need to talk about it. So let's do a quick run down for our newer practitioners as to what these are. A reverse card is essentially when you draw a Tarot card that happens to be upside down. The general understanding is that this signifies the opposite meaning of that card. Personally I find that to be a gross simplification and what may be leading to this odd connotation. What are the issues people have with reverse cards? Many seem to think it over complicates things. Tarot is already a pretty vast field with so much to learn and keep in your mind while you read. I can understand the hesitation here and certainly wouldn't be upset with a beginner that is just trying to learn the cards first. My argument however would be that you will get to know the card much more intimately if you contemplate both meanings. This is a pretty basic principle of Alchemy and most Magick known as Correspondence, "as above so below" to make it a little more plain. Many of these people also like to use mixed deck readings and blend in oracle cards or add crystals. For me that's far more complicated and undercuts their point. Seems more like a personal hang up when you take a step back. The other big concern I see is that Tarot already has many negative cards and adding reverse cards makes the whole thing too negative. This one really bothers me, like a rock in my shoe on a long hike. For starters, I don't really agree that Tarot has a lot of negative cards and I take particular issue with the idea that reverse cards just make the card negative. Let's take the Tower for example. It's generally seen as a very negative card, devastation. I will admit that this is a serious card and change is always difficult. However, if you only see this as a negative card you're missing the point. Simply put, if you're not evolving you're dying. Change can be a good thing. Context here is key but more often than not The Tower falls but leaves behind a foundation. A building block for a sturdier one to be rebuilt sound in the knowledge gleamed from the lessons the last one taught. So if they're not just opposite meanings or negative, what are Reverse Cards? Well that's the beauty of Tarot, it means what you want it too. This is another tool in your bag waiting to be pulled out. Now you could absolutely use this as an opposite meaning if you want but I think you're more creative than that. I'll give you an example for a generally accepted reverse card meaning. The X of Cups is very much about connections, completion, and emotional contentment. When reversed this card is about reaching or having already reached the conclusion to find those connections lacking. Dissatisfying perhaps. Sounds pretty negative sure but for me this means you're looking for happiness in the wrong place. Putting too many eggs in one basket as it were. It could be those missed connections but it could also be your own flawed view of what those things would bring. A practical example would be someone who is depressed that puts a lot of effort and time into seeing family and friends. This can be hugely beneficial but I'll say this loud for the people in the back: Friends and Family do not cure depression. You still need to work on your demons. How do I use Reverse cards? To be honest this can change based on the reading, the deck, or the intention. If I'm doing Tarot Magick I often meditate on my reverse card, reflect on what it's telling me, then put intention into changing things to the outcome I'm looking for. Sometimes if I have a list of questions I use orientations for simple yes or no. This has worked great for me and comes with an added bonus. The future is never set. If you want that no to be a yes, then you can listen to what the card is saying. Why is it a no? How can you change it? Let's say you pull the Chariot reversed. Perhaps your desire for rapid results is the reason. With patience and will power you can take the reigns though and steer your own future. Sometimes the artwork for the deck will tell you something very different when it's reversed. I have a deck with a Fortune card that is a hand with a sigil drawn in it's palm. When it's face up the hand appears to be ready to receive. When reversed it strikes me as something that's reaching. To me I use it as a warning sign. I am still on the path to get what I want but I need to beware of losing sight of my priorities. These can be ultra apparent at a glance when looking at your Minor Arcana. When a cup is upside down or a person is falling on a sword your brain does not have to make large leaps to connect the dots. TLDR; don't be afraid of reverse cards. Find what they mean to you. Develop an intimate knowledge with each card and or each deck. Tarot is too fun and too personal to adopt someone else's self imposed handicap. Not that you need them to be a good reader but personally I preferred my food well seasoned.
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