Part-1 .. Part-2 .. Part-3 .. Part-4 .. Part-5
Once you have the Neutral, Positive, and Negative meanings for each of the 78 (or more) tarot cards in their 'upright' position you need to decide if you are going to use 'Reversals'. Reversals, for those who may not know is when the card or cards are upside down.
If you decide to use reversals then you will need three (3) more definitions for each of the 78 cards in their reversed positions.
Upright Card(s):
Positive .. Neutral .. Negative
Reversed Card(s):
Positive .. Neutral .. Negative
One fairly easy way to do this and to cut down on the amount of time you spend defining all six (6) states is to use some of the upright meanings for the reversed meanings, and some of the reversed meanings for the upright meanings. There are all kinds of ways you can define these six (6) states and this is just one way to do. You need to decide how you are going to do it, or even if you want to use this type of system.
|
10 of Swords |
||
|
Neutral |
||
| Pain and Ruin | ||
| Positive | Negative | |
| A turn for the better | Total spiritual and moral breakdown/bankruptcy | |
|
10
of Swords |
||
| Neutral | ||
| Total spiritual moral breakdown/bankruptcy | ||
| Positive | Negative | |
| Pain and ruin but easing of situation | Complete self-paralyzation, manic, suicidal, homicidal, death | |
As you can see in the two tables above the Negative meaning of the upright card becomes the neutral meaning when the card is reversed. The Positive meaning when reversed takes on the neutral upright meaning, and so on. This is but one way to do things.
If on the other hand your reversed meaning takes on a more upbeat or positive meaning then you would have to adjust things accordingly.
For example, if you have 'Pain and Ruin' as your ~upright neutral meaning~ you might have 'brighter days ahead' for your ~reversed neutral meaning~.
You can even take things further for more depth and add to the six (6) states (Neutral, Positive, Negative) I have given.
Extremely Positive .. Fairly Positive .. Slightly Positive .. Neutral .. Slightly Negative .. Fairly Negative .. Extremely Negative
If you do and are going to use reversed cards then you will need another set of meanings for this state (reversed) and end up with a possible total of fourteen (14) states, seven (7) upright and seven (7) reversed. This is to much work for me but it gives you all kinds of possibilities.
Note: Remember to use, come up with your own meanings, phrases, and definitions for the cards in their different states.
Don S.