Reversed cards

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

How many of you read with reversed cards?

Personally, I don't.....but I feel that my cards are trying to get me to read reversals. I am very careful with my handling and shuffling to prevent reversals, but lately.....they have been coming up. :eek:

So, is my deck trying to tell me it's time learn and work with reversals? What are your thoughts? :confused:

For those interested in learning, please let us moderators know....and we'll see what we can come up with for lessons! ;)

[reanna]

Reversals!!??!! I am still trying to catch up on everything else! You ask me about reversals!!?? Just kidding! :):):):):)

However, that is the truth. I am still trying to catch up on sooooo much. Pateince and perserverence! I will keep at it!
I haven't been posting at all in the forum much, cuz I am so far behind you all and don't want to hold anyone up. But .... I am still here doll!! :):):):)
I recently acquired another tarot book.
Tarot Plain and Simple. It uses the Robin Wood deck for the illustrations. Good find too. I found it completely by accident on the used book shelf last week. 1/2 price. Couldn't resist buying it. I felt it was a sign that I was meant to buy it. :):):):):)

[Mina]

For a long time I didn't read with reversals, but for the past few months they have just been coming up, so I've slowly been getting used to them. My readings seem to be working out, so I feel that it was just some kind of natural progression. It is like, when my cards felt I was camfortable in what I was doing, They decided it was time to take it to the next step!

[Amora]

I've always read with reversals. Lately I've begun to notice a pattern in my cards that instead of the meanings I've always used some of the reversed cards are meaning just a weaker version of the upright (I know some of you here mentioned that you have the same). That is very interesting to me because I was always coming up with the same things.

So...I think the tarot actually pushes us to continually learn new ways and meanings of the cards. So Dadga if you thought the learning was over...maybe your cards are pushing you to expand as mine did to me..
Good luck!

[Silver Venus]

Yeah thats a brill way of looking at it Amora ~ they are always challenging us and keeping us on our toes!

I kind of read reversed and kind of dont ~ it really depends on what mood Im in and who Im reading for. Recently (for the last few months) I havent because I ultimately believe the cards have enough positive and negatives influeneces in them already ~ and I use energies with the cards so feel rather than interperate allot of the time.. But then again I believe that if they are really trying to shout something out at you (like it seems Dagda ;)) then you should really look at the reversed meanings and the other cards around... which cards arent which cards are... My cards are all jumbled up so (not all one way) so when I lay them out and turn them over to reveal the card I often have to turn them round aswell ~ this is when I start to feel from them and I do consider if they are reversed .. it sets of the thinking and the feelings I suppose...

Id be glad to learn more about reversed if others here want to learn too :)

[tarajane]

i choose toread with the reversed cards as well because the cards they are reversed for a reason perhaps that is the best way for the to give the wisdom that they have to offer i also have the book tarot plain and simple and it really helped me when i was starting out it has a lot of good information. but the choice is up to you lots of people do not use the reversed meaning of the cards but if you do use the cards in the reverced position they have more possible outcomes and the meaning may be more clear to you rather than just using them upright. what ever you decide to do you need to do what you feel is the right way for you best of luck to you

[Amethyst Rose]

I read with reversed cards, but I go with my instinct when they're involved, rather than knowing each reversed meaning. Come to think of if.... I'm that way a lot. I'm sure there are many cards that I don't know the exact meaning for, I just know what they mean by instinct when they get turned up.....
I could never become a certified tarot reader, cuz I'd probably fail the card meaning test.....

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by Amethyst Rose
I just know what they mean by instinct when they get turned up.....

I could never become a certified tarot reader, cuz I'd probably fail the card meaning test.....

Hiya Rose, Im not sure what you need to pass to become a tarot teacher ~ if anything... but you wouldnt fail to test because you know what the cards been to you!!!
Theres no right or wrong in Tarot because every Deck is different ~ only your way ~ believe and trust in your way and thats the right way!
:D

[Amethyst Rose]

I agree with you 100%. That's why I never understood the need to be certified... some networks won't let you read for them unless you're certified.

Heres a link to what is required for all (seven) levels of certification:

http://www.tarotcertification.org/levels.html

Here's the link to the exams for the various certifications:

http://www.tarotcertification.org/exams.html

Oh, and if anyone is interested in getting certified.... it costs $50. Check out the main page for more information... http://www.tarotcertification.org

[Rævyn Cigány]

I do read with reversals, yes...the thing is, is that when someone asks me a truly frivilous question, that's usually when the come up and the answer to the question is just completely screwwed up....any thoughts?

BB

Rae )0(

[rantnraven]

I try hard to keep the cards in order. However, there are the occasional few that get away. Go with it if it applies. Negativity follows us from time-to-time - that is how life goes. If it happens, it simply happens.

Read it as is appears to you - reversed or, no.



RnR
;)

[Dria El]

You didn't have a 'What's a reversed card?' option.

:D

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

:apirate: :D ;)

[Dria El]

You saying it's past my bedtime? :p :D ;) 8O

[SigFire]

Personally.

I just shuffel the cards if I end up getting a reversed card I just turn it over.

Then again I was taught not to memorise the meanings of the cards but to interperet them as they "reveal" themselves to me.
(Although I still take into acount the meanings behind the card. its exact meaning changes DRASTICALLY with every reading)

So by and large even after if have righted an reversed card the divinatory meaning usually comes out as a "reverse" meaning.

I let the cards speak to me in there own way and that is how I interperet them.

On many ocasions Ive done a reading for someone. let them reshuffel and then deal again.

Sometimes the cards are the exact same but most of the time they are completly different cards but still hold almost the same meaning.

Just my thoughts on reading Tarot.

[Kiya]

At the moment, I'm just not comfortable reading reversed cards, and I just draw a blank (or waffle on about nothing!) if I do try to use them. I think that this will be something I will use later on, but not right now. I'm very interested in learning more though - so that's what I voted!

:sunny:

[silvrsnstr]

To me, reversing the Tarot is like revercing you chalice, your pentacle, or your TV screen. I go by instinct, and impressions, so to turn an impression upside down seems rather foolish, as does going against my instincts.

Just my 2 cents
BTW, is there a British equivelent to that?

Blessings,
Crimson StarRaven

[Silver Venus]

Originally posted by silvrsnstr
To me, reversing the Tarot is like revercing you chalice, your pentacle, or your TV screen. I go by instinct, and impressions, so to turn an impression upside down seems rather foolish, as does going against my instincts.

Just my 2 cents
BTW, is there a British equivelent to that?

Blessings,
Crimson StarRaven

Hiya Crimson and Merry Meet! :D Great to have you here!

Thats a very wise way of looking at it! I feel the same as you and do not purposely read reversed but I do turn all the cards the right way around (if they are not upright when I lay the spread down) and still take note which were origanlly reversed... sometimes a problem or signal can be leaping out at you and reading upright it doesnt shout out so strongly... If you know what I mean.

We are doing this excericse to learn more about the cards and there upright meanings through discussing the possible reversed meanings...

BTW ~ Not sure what its means in American let alone English ;)

Bright blessings coming right back at ya :D

[SigFire]

Originally posted by silvrsnstr
Just my 2 cents
BTW, is there a British equivelent to that

How about
Just my 2 Penny's worth
Or 2 Pence worth


or considering the currency

My Penny's Worth :)

[Silver Venus]

Has all this reversed talk made you go mad Sig? :D
...Just my Ace of Pentaclles worth ;)

[SigFire]

HAhaa

Welll errr maybe

or maybe its just work thats done it.

I think its more than likley work

yes yes it must be work......

:)

[Silver Venus]

Well then penny's, pence and pentacles would fit then :D

[Tarot Collector]

My manner of shuffling usually does not produce reversed draws, but if it does I take notice and determine by intuition how significant it is in the context of the reading.

I would hesitate to say there is a right or wrong way.

If one takes a new deck or one that has been reordered and cut it approximately half, and shuffle in such a way that half of the cards are reversed, then cut again and shuffle etc, the reader may be influencing the general percentage of reversed cards and even which cards within the deck are likely to be reversed in the draw. This to me seems to leave open the possibility of projection from the reader to the Querent. I am still learning whether this is significant to me in the role of reader or not.

I'm very open to a greater understanding of this subject.

[Myst]

When cards are reversed I simply read them as an obstacle between the upright meaning and the querent, or the fact that the querent hasn't come to terms with the meaning, or that the meaning will be difficult for the querent to deal with.

[SigFire]

By the way I dont restrict the way the cards are shuffled and let the Querent shuffel the cards to their hearts desire. I find this lets their energy enter the Cards and makes it easier to read.

[Silver Venus]

well gonna try too ;)
I just got my new Sacred Circle Deck yesterday and decided last night to try and keep all the cards upright all the time... and see what happens! :D The cards are so insightfull and I am really having loads of fun with them!

[Andromeda]

Even though I'm just starting out, I don't read the reverse meanings because I own the Shapeshifter deck...there is no reverse meanings for this deck..

Blessings
Andromeda

[Arduinna]

I do read with reverses, but I feel it's necessary to cleanse the deck more frequently then. Especially since, if I am reading for myself, my method of shuffling won't produce reverses.

Bright Blessings

[LadyHorse]

I have read with reversed cards before and I am still learning but if your deck is dealing you the reversed cards the you might be right in the fact that your deck is trying to relay something to you.

LadyHorse :)

[Myst]

Originally posted by WillowRaven
When cards are reversed I simply read them as an obstacle between the upright meaning and the querent, or the fact that the querent hasn't come to terms with the meaning, or that the meaning will be difficult for the querent to deal with.

Oh and my new deck (Tarot of a Moon Garden) has no interpretation for reversed cards anyway, so I don't feel they were meant to be read that way.

[ladyrowan]

Originally posted by MidsummerEve
I do read with reverses, but I feel it's necessary to cleanse the deck more frequently then. Bright Blessings


I don't know what upright cards mean yet, let alone reversed cards!
And what is cleansing for, and how do you do it?

BB

[Silver Venus]

Hiya :) People cleanse there cards to get rid of any negative energy that passsed to them while they were in the shop, being made in production, anywhere before they reached you... or from time to time just to clean your cards after many readings...
You can cleanse your cards by making up your own little ritual...passing them through incense.. through a smudge stick smoke.. over a candle... leaving them out in the sun or moon... lighting a candle.. charging them with a crystal... reshuffling all the cards so they are all upright and in some order... smile/kiss every card... whatever feels right to you :D

[Arduinna]

Originally posted by WillowRaven


Oh and my new deck (Tarot of a Moon Garden) has no interpretation for reversed cards anyway, so I don't feel they were meant to be read that way.

Why do think there are no interpretations for reverses on the moon garden deck? I have that deck also, and it does list reverse meanings in the instructions.

Not that I'm one for following instructions :D

[Arduinna]

Originally posted by ladyrowan



I don't know what upright cards mean yet, let alone reversed cards!
And what is cleansing for, and how do you do it?

BB

Well, I was trained in two kinds of cleansing. The first one is as was stated, getting rid of negative/other peoples energys. I do this with incense.

What I was talking about in my previous post is this. I seperate the cards into each of their suits. All swords together ect. Then shuffle each suit alone, saying a cleansing affirmation.
After going through each suit and the major arcana, I shuffle them all together saying the affirmation.

This allows previous readings and energies to not effect new ones. I do it as I feel it's needed. Sometimes on a weekly basis.
Depends on how many readings I've been doing. I feel it frees up the cards to do their one thing each reading and not get used to being read a certain way. Reverse or upright.

[Kian]

I use the Legend, the Arthurian Tarot. The book's author states that she personally feels that reversed cards mean that the energy of the upright meaning is being blocked. However she included reversed meanings in the book for those who might want to use them. When I am doing a reading I ask the querent's preference and go by that. (my personal is, yeah I use the reversed meaning for myself)

[Lavender]

So, it seems that in using reversed cards, you don't take it as the meanings are the opposite but the properties of the cards are blocked. More like an area that would be difficult & require more work? More like a challenge?

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

There are many ways to interpret reversed cards. Opposite of (negative) the upright meaning, blocked upright energies, ....I think they are a weakened state of the upright card. Use what works best for you!....what ever feeling you get from the card.

[Lavender]

Thanks, Dagda! :)

[Raevy]

I generally read with reversed cards, my only problem is that I don't manage to shuffle the cards right!

I always manage to end up with half of the cards reversed because I haven't found a method of shuffling where they (sort of) get reversed by themselves. On always just take some, reverse them, and shuffle on the normal way (which is not a very good method).

Any suggestions?

[Silver Venus]

Hi Rae! Merry Meet! :)
Im not sure what you mean ~ do you want to be reading them reversed or all upright?
If you want them all upright its easy ~ just keep them pointing one way (upwards at all times..) and when you cut just be careful not to twist them round.. Or when you reading for someone else and they are opposite you just decide whether you are reading in the direction of them and or you.. then dont twist the cards round again.
If you want to read reversed ~ Id shuffle then cut the cards and turn the cut half round the opposite way.. then shuffle again.. then lay out the cards for the spread howvere you do that.
Every time you shuffle (the cards will all be picked up) just cut and turn the top pile/half again so you have a fresh reversed half... then shuffle them in and hey presto lay out your spread :)

[Lavender]

My problem is that I can't seem to shuffle them properly. They just go splat! And are not mixed up at all. So I do, what I call, the MaJong shuffle. Spread the cards out & shuffle them around with both hands.

[Silver Venus]

Thats the best way for you then hun :D

[Raevy]

Huh, thanks Silver....

I just need to shuffle them more thoroughly then, it seems... I always manage to have blocks of reversed, then blocks of upright cards... lazieness killed the cat *ouch*

[Silver Venus]

Thought that was curiousity ;)
& youve still got 8 lives so shuffle and read on!

[Mythrel]

I posted yes but it depends on the decks... one deck I have doesn't use reverse cards, so I don't read them as reversed when I use that deck but otherwise yes....

Mythrel

[Al_Chemist]

I don't use reversed cards myself but I can see their usefullnes with respect to the 'strength' of the meaning of the card. I just like having them all the same way up as it makes it easier to see a spread as a single picture.

[Earthcup]

It depends. With my Rider-Waite I pay attention the reversals that come up but then I also shuffle it differently than my Mythic deck. Plus you can tell by the design on the back whether the card is right side up in the Mythic deck so it's easier for me to keep them straight.

[Azure]

when I started reading I used reversed cards, but now I've found that if I read them only right side up, I tend to get clearer meanings on a whole reading. Likewise, the better and more accurate I've gotten, the less reversals are important.

[Keron]

hehe... I cheat.

Since I read for friends who are MOSTLY sympathetic, they let me check up the references in the little booklet that comes with the deck. I like using reversed cards-- call me "kiasu" (afraid to lose out) or whatever, I just feel that it seems to give a wider scope to the reading. All depends, actually. :D

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Most the time I don't use Reversed cards in a reading, but occassionally, I will feel the need to do so. Kind of weird, but I think I get that from the "vibes" the person gives off. ;)

[Dagda Moon~Lily]

Here's the link to the book about "The Complete Book of Tarot Reversals".

http://www.llewellyn.com/bookstore/book.php3?pn=K285

[Silver Venus]

Its funny how on the cover of the book it shows the Hanged man upright! which could confuse people about the whole reversal argument behing the card! :eek:

[Flaire-FireStar]

I used to read with reversed cards, but that was before I started reading for other people... I started, but then I felt so odd *trying* to read them (keep drawing blanks) that I figured it wasn't time for me to read with them yet.... Would give it another shot though! :)

[seastone81]

I am of the ilk that reads everything about the cards in context; where they land, how close they are to each other, and reversals or not. I think everything about a spread has something to add to a reading.

[Shatril]

I answered yes I do, however, I wanted to answer that I wanted to learn more also. :caffeine:

[HorseCrow]

I always, always read with reversed cards. It gives so much more depth and detail, I don't think I could do a reading without reversed cards...

[LisaT4P]

Its funny how on the cover of the book it shows the Hanged man upright! which could confuse people about the whole reversal argument behing the card! :eek: I think the whole idea was that this card is often seen as upside down and topsy turvy. In the introduction of the book (page 16) the Hanged Man is discussed at length. :)

Also, I'd like to point out that this book is not only about reversals. The book covers the upright and reversed meanings in much more depth than I've seen in other books. It gives you insight on what a card might mean in many different circumstances and a shamanic and magickal meaning of the reversed cards as well. It also gives insight on what type of illness a card may indicate, which is something I've not seen in a tarot book before. There are several paragraphs devoted to each card in it's upright AND reversed postion and then the "Traditional" meanings of the card (keywords, etc.) are placed at the bottom of the description.

Have I mentioned that this is my FAVORITE tarot book? :heyalove:

[Verthandi]

How many of you read with reversed cards?

Personally, I don't.....but I feel that my cards are trying to get me to read reversals. I am very careful with my handling and shuffling to prevent reversals, but lately.....they have been coming up. :eek:

So, is my deck trying to tell me it's time learn and work with reversals? What are your thoughts? :confused:

For those interested in learning, please let us moderators know....and we'll see what we can come up with for lessons! ;)
I'm in the same boat. I don't like using reversed cards because there's always an upright card that means the same thing. However, since all my cards are upright when a card lands upside down or is reverse in a reading, I do pay special attention to it.