What Are Reversed Cards?

A reversed card — also called an inverted or “Rx” card — is simply a tarot card that appears upside down when you turn it over during a reading. Reversals occur naturally when some cards end up rotated during shuffling.

Whether to read reversals is entirely optional. Some experienced readers always use them, others never do, and many fall somewhere in between. There’s no right or wrong approach — it’s a matter of personal preference and reading style.

Should Beginners Use Reversals?

Most tarot teachers recommend that beginners start without reversals. Learning 78 upright meanings is plenty for your first months of study. Adding reversals effectively doubles the number of meanings you need to understand, which can be overwhelming.

When you feel comfortable with upright meanings and want to add more nuance to your readings, that’s the time to start exploring reversals. Many readers find that reversals transform their practice, adding depth and subtlety that upright-only readings can lack.

Common Approaches to Reading Reversals

1. Blocked or Delayed Energy: The most common interpretation is that the card’s energy is present but blocked, weakened, or delayed. The Three of Cups reversed might suggest celebrations being postponed or social connections feeling strained rather than flowing naturally.

2. Internal vs External: Some readers interpret upright cards as external events and reversed cards as internal experiences. The Emperor upright might represent an authority figure in your life, while reversed it represents your own relationship with authority, discipline, or control.

3. Opposite Meaning: The simplest approach treats reversals as the opposite of the upright meaning. If The Sun upright means joy and success, reversed it might indicate temporary sadness or setbacks. While straightforward, this approach can oversimplify the cards.

4. Shadow Side: This nuanced approach sees reversals as the shadow expression of the card’s energy — the unhealthy, excessive, or underdeveloped version. The Queen of Cups upright is emotionally wise and compassionate; reversed, she might be emotionally overwhelmed, codependent, or disconnected from her feelings.

5. Declining or Releasing Energy: Reversals can indicate that the card’s energy is waning or being released. This is especially useful in readings about transitions or endings.

How to Enable Reversals in Your Practice

To get reversed cards naturally, split your deck into two halves, rotate one half 180 degrees, then shuffle them together thoroughly. Some readers prefer to fan the cards face-down on a table and swirl them around before gathering them back into a pile.

The key is that you’re not deliberately choosing which cards are reversed — the shuffle creates a random mix of upright and inverted cards.

Tips for Reading Reversals Well

Don’t automatically assume reversed cards are negative. A reversed Five of Swords (normally a card of conflict) might actually suggest that a period of conflict is ending. Context matters enormously — look at the surrounding cards and the question asked.

Consider keeping a separate section in your tarot journal for notes on how reversed cards show up in your readings. Over time, you’ll develop your own intuitive understanding of what reversals mean for you specifically.

For deeper study, books like Holistic Tarot and Tarot for Your Self offer excellent chapters on working with reversals. Find these and more in our Books & Guides collection.

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