Tarot Reversals: Should You Read Them? (Pros & Cons)

One of the most debated topics in tarot is whether or not to read reversed cards. When a card appears upside down in a spread, does it carry a different meaning? Should you even acknowledge it? Or is it just a distraction from the card's core message?

If you're learning to read tarot, you'll quickly discover that readers are split on this issue. Some swear by reversals as essential nuance; others ignore them entirely. This guide explores both perspectives so you can make an informed choice for your own practice.

What Are Tarot Reversals?

A reversed card appears when a tarot card is drawn upside down. In a 78-card deck, this means you technically have 156 possible card meanings—upright and reversed. Reversals are most commonly interpreted as blocked or internalized energy, the shadow side of the card, a weakened or delayed version of the upright message, or a call to look inward rather than outward. But there is no universal rule—different readers interpret reversals differently, and some don't read them at all.

The Case FOR Reading Reversals

Pro #1: Adds Nuance and Depth

Reversals allow for more subtle, layered readings. Instead of a binary "this card means X," you get a spectrum: upright might mean confidence, while reversed could indicate self-doubt or overconfidence.

Pro #2: Highlights Blockages and Resistance

Reversed cards often point to internal obstacles, repressed emotions, or energy that's stuck. If you're doing shadow work or therapeutic tarot, reversals can reveal what's being avoided or denied. Example: The upright Three of Swords might indicate heartbreak you're actively experiencing. Reversed, it could suggest you're in denial about the pain, or that healing is beginning.

Pro #3: Encourages Intuitive Reading

When a card appears reversed, it forces you to pause and think beyond the memorized meaning. This can deepen your intuitive connection to the cards and make you a more flexible, creative reader.

Pro #4: Reflects Real-Life Complexity

Life isn't black and white, and reversals honor that. They acknowledge that energy can be blocked, misdirected, or internalized—just like in real human experience.

The Case AGAINST Reading Reversals

Con #1: Adds Unnecessary Complexity

Learning 78 card meanings is already a lot. Doubling that to 156 can feel overwhelming, especially for beginners. Many experienced readers argue that the upright meanings are rich enough to cover all situations without needing reversals.

Con #2: Can Lead to Negative Bias

Some readers fall into the trap of interpreting all reversals as "bad" or "blocked," which can skew readings toward pessimism and limit the empowering potential of tarot.

Con #3: Upright Cards Already Contain Duality

Every tarot card has light and shadow within it. The upright Ten of Cups can mean blissful family harmony or superficial happiness masking dysfunction. You don't need reversals to access the card's full range—context and intuition do that work.

Con #4: Mechanical Randomness

Cards can flip during shuffling for purely physical reasons. Some readers feel that treating these accidents as spiritually significant dilutes the integrity of the reading.

Different Approaches to Reversals

Read Reversals Selectively: Only interpret a card as reversed if it feels significant. Trust your intuition over rigid rules.

Use Reversals for Specific Question Types: Some readers only use reversals for shadow work or psychological readings, but ignore them for general guidance spreads.

Reorient All Cards Before Reading: Deliberately turn all cards upright before interpreting them. This eliminates reversals entirely.

Let the Deck Decide: Shuffle with intention. If you want reversals to appear, shuffle in a way that allows cards to flip. If you don't, shuffle in a way that keeps all cards upright.

How to Interpret Reversals (If You Choose To)

Blocked Energy: The card's energy is present but obstructed. Something is preventing the upright meaning from manifesting fully.

Internalized or Private: The energy is turned inward rather than expressed outwardly. A reversed King of Wands might indicate leadership qualities you're not yet showing the world.

Excess or Deficiency: Too much or too little of the card's energy. A reversed Empress could mean smothering overcare or neglect of nurturing.

Shadow Work Invitation: The card is asking you to examine the unconscious, repressed, or denied aspects of the situation.

What Do Professional Readers Do?

There's no consensus. Mary K. Greer is a strong advocate for reversals and offers 12 different methods for interpreting them. Lindsay Mack (Tarot for the Wild Soul) does not read reversals, believing the upright cards contain all necessary information. Brigit Esselmont (Biddy Tarot) teaches reversals but encourages students to experiment. The takeaway? There is no "right" way. Your tarot practice is yours to define.

How to Decide What's Right for You

Ask yourself: Do reversals feel intuitive to me, or forced? Am I a beginner or experienced reader? What kind of readings do I do? Do I prefer structure or fluidity? You can also experiment: try reading with reversals for a month, then without them for a month, and see which feels more accurate and meaningful.

Final Thoughts: Trust Your Practice

The debate over tarot reversals isn't about right or wrong—it's about what serves your connection to the cards and the clarity of your readings. Whether you read reversals or not, the cards will speak—because the magic isn't in the orientation. It's in your willingness to listen.

Whether you read reversals or not, having a structured practice makes your readings far more consistent. The 52-Week Tarot Journey gives you a full year of structured daily pulls and weekly spreads—the perfect container to test how reversals feel across different spread types and develop your own consistent system over time. Record your reversal experiments in the Tarot Journaling Prompts—tracking which approach produces more accurate readings is the fastest way to find your answer. And deepening that intuitive channel becomes far more natural when you give yourself space to sit with the cards through a dedicated practice like the 52-Week Tarot Journey, exploring the nuances of each card with the Tarot Journaling Prompts, and letting the 30-Day Tarot Practice Workbook build your confidence across the whole spectrum of interpretation. The Shadow Work Tarot is especially resonant when exploring reversals, as it directly addresses those internal blockages and hidden energies the reversed cards point toward, while the Divine Union Alignment Audio helps align your inner and outer worlds as you discover what approach speaks most truly to you.