As I have explained HERE, I stopped using Tarot reversals quite early on in my practice. It might surprise you to know that many Tarot professionals do not use them, especially since most of the Tarot books for beginners tend to include them. Not only do they include them, but they also make reversals seem obligatory to use. This is a shame because I think you need to be able to choose for yourself.
What works best may depend on how your brain is wired. If you are more of an intuitive reader, you may find it difficult to stick with a binary system that includes reversals, for instance. Nevertheless, in today’s post, we cover some reasons why working with reversals might be a good idea and also share seven different ways to interpret Tarot reversals.
Do you use reversals? Let me know in the comments!
Why Use Tarot Reversals?
Even if you don’t normally read with reversals, it’s worth understanding what they offer.
At their best, reversals don’t complicate a reading—they sharpen it.
They can draw your attention to something that isn’t fully landing yet. Not wrong, not negative—just… not quite integrated. Sometimes that shows up as resistance. Sometimes as delay. Sometimes as something happening beneath the surface rather than out in the open.
For beginners, reversals can feel like a way to “double” the meanings of the cards. That’s often how they’re taught. But in practice, they’re less about adding more meanings and more about adjusting the angle of perception.
If you already read intuitively, reversals can act as a subtle nudge:
“Look again. There’s more going on here.”
And if you don’t use them? That’s equally valid. This isn’t about doing Tarot “properly.” It’s about knowing your options—and choosing what actually works in your hands.
How to Work with Reversals (Without Overcomplicating It)
If you decide to experiment with reversals, keep it simple.
You don’t need half the deck upside down. In fact, that usually muddies the signal.
A small percentage—around 10–20%—is more than enough.
One easy way to do this:
Take a portion of the deck (roughly a fifth), turn it 180 degrees, and mix it back in before shuffling. That’s it.
From there, shuffle as you normally would. Overhand, riffle, cutting into piles—whatever feels natural. The goal isn’t precision. It’s a light, organic mix, so reversals appear occasionally, not constantly.
Think of them as punctuation marks, not the main text.
7 Ways to Interpret Tarot Reversals
If you’re new to reversals, don’t try to use all of these at once. Pick one approach, work with it for a few readings, and see how it lands. Over time, your own system will settle.
1. Blocked or Delayed Expression
The energy of the card is present—but it’s not moving freely. Something is slowing it down or getting in the way.
2. Turned Inward
The theme of the card is playing out internally rather than externally. This often points to something personal, private, or still being processed.
3. Opposite or Absent
Sometimes a reversal shows what isn’t happening. Not in a dramatic sense—just a quiet absence where something would normally be expected.
4. Overcompensation
The energy has tipped too far. What would be balanced upright becomes exaggerated, strained, or forced.
5. A Nudge to Engage
This is where the card stops being descriptive and starts being directive. It’s highlighting something that needs your attention—now, not later.
6. Looking Back Before Moving Forward
There’s something in the past that hasn’t been fully digested. The card points you back—not to dwell, but to extract what’s useful.
7. Untapped Potential
The energy is there, but it hasn’t been claimed yet. This can point to overlooked strengths, missed opportunities, or something you haven’t quite stepped into.
If you want to take this further, try working with one of these approaches for a week and see how your readings shift.
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