How to Read Reversals in Tarot
Any given reversed card can mean one of three:
The opposite of the upright
The upright watered down
The upright made bad or worse
To illustrate:
If The Devil upright is “addiction”, reversed it is “overcoming addiction” — the opposite.
If the Nine of Cups is “fulfillment”, reversed it is “fulfillment delayed” — watered down.
If the Seven of Swords upright is “manipulation”, reversed it is “betrayal” — made worse.
For every reading, your intuition will tell you which one applies. But remembering these tried-and-tested lists would also be wise:
Cards that Mean the Opposite When Reversed
The Fool
The Magician
The High Priestess
The Empress
The Emperor
The Hierophant
The Lovers
Strength
The Hermit
Justice
The Hanged Man
Death
Temperance
The Devil
The Tower
The Star
The Moon
Four of Wands
Five of Wands
Eight of Wands
Ten of Wands
Two of Cups
Four of Cups
Five of Cups
Six of Cups
Eight of Cups
Queen of Cups
King of Cups
Three of Swords
Four of Swords
Five of Swords
Six of Swords
Eight of Swords
Nine of Swords
Ten of Swords
Knight of Swords
Queen of Swords
King of Swords
Three of Pentacles
Four of Pentacles
Five of Pentacles
Six of Pentacles
Seven of Pentacles
Eight of Pentacles
Queen of Pentacles
King of Pentacles
Cards that are Watered Down When Reversed
The Chariot
Wheel of Fortune
The Sun
Judgement
The World
Ace of Wands
Two of Wands
Three of Wands
Six of Wands
Ace of Cups
Nine of Cups
Ten of Cups
Ace of Swords
Ace of Pentacles
Nine of Pentacles
Ten of Pentacles
“Bad” Cards that are Made Worse When Reversed or “Good” Cards that are Made Bad
Seven of Wands
Nine of Wands
Page of Wands
Knight of Wands
Queen of Wands
King of Wands
Three of Cups
Seven of Cups
Page of Cups
Knight of Cups
Two of Swords
Seven of Swords
Page of Swords
Two of Pentacles
Page of Pentacles
Knight of Pentacles
