Reversal Corner-2

Reversed Cards: Some Possibilities

Here is what Rachel Pollock says in her book Seventy-Eight Degrees of Wisdom about reversed cards.

In general, a reversed card indicates that qualities of that card have become blocked, distorted, or channeled in another direction.

Or:

1.) Blocked
2.) Distorted
3.) Channeled in another direction
Joan Bunning in her book and web site 'Learning the Tarot' has this to say about reversals.

When a card is reversed, its energy is not fully developed. It may be in its early stages, or losing power. It may be incomplete or unavailable. The qualities of the card are present, at least in potential, but they can't express completely.

Or:

1.) Not fully developed
2.) In its early stages
3.) Losing power
4.) Incomplete
5.) Unavailable
6.) Unable to express the cards qualities/potential completely
And Mary K. Greer in her book, 'The Complete Book on Tarot Reversals' goes even further and gives twelve (12) ways reversed cards might modify the upright meaning/meanings of a card.

  1.) Blocked or Resisted
  2.) Projected
  3.) Delayed, difficult, unavailable
  4.) Inner, unconscious, private
  5.) New or Dark Moon (round deck variations)
  6.) Breaking through, overturning, refusing, changing direction
  7.) No or Not (the upright meaning): Lacking
  8.) Excessive, Over- or undercompensating
  9.) Misused or Misdirected
10.) "Re-" Words: Retried, retracted, reviewed, reconsidered
11.) Rectification: Disease into Remedy
12.) Unconventional, Shamanic, Magical, Humorous

Geez ... is it any wonder so many folks have problems with reversed cards, LOL.  Hopefully I (we) will get into many, if not all of the above ways to read reversed cards at a later time.

Just be aware kids that these writers are just giving you a starting point, a jumping off place as to the meanings of reversed cards.  If you see something else in a reversed card, or your own insights tell you something else then go with that.  Nothing anyone writes should take precedence over what your inner self/voice/guide relates to you.

Getting Reversed Cards

1.) How do you get the cards reversed in the first place?

Mary Greer gives a couple of methods for shuffling to obtain reversed cards but I will give you my own method which is similar to something Eden Gray (another tarot writer) does.  But use whatever method works for you as long as the same cards don't continually come up reversed.

1.) Decide what deck you are going to use, assuming the deck has all upright cards.  If not then go to Step #8.
2.) Immediately cut the deck into three stacks from right to left (or any manner you wish).
3.) Select one of these stacks and reverse it.
4.) Reform the deck from right to left (or any manner you wish).
5.) Shuffle the deck until it feels 'right' to you.
6.) Once again cut the deck into three stacks from right to left (or any manner you wish).
7.) Reform the deck from right to left (or any manner you wish).

Approximately one third of the cards should be reversed the first time through.

8.) Now whenever you use the deck place it in your left hand (or right hand - if you are left handed) and reverse approximately half the deck.  Then shuffle and cut the cards.
9.) If you reset your deck after every reading then leave out Step #8 and just go with Steps 1 through 7 above to start a reading.

Delays

The word that comes up a lot in conventional/traditional reversed meanings is ,'Delay', 'Delays', or 'Delayed'.  I personally dislike this word when used with, and in a tarot reading.  It's rather vague and can lead to many questions you might not be able to answer.

Reader:
"I see delays in obtaining the new promotion you want."

Seeker:
"What delays?  How long will these delays last?  If this delay lasts to long will I still get the promotion?  Are you talking days, weeks, months when you say delay?  Good Lord, talk in plain English and not in some mumbo-jumbo crap!  Will I get the promotion and when?"

Question:
So how would you reply to the Seeker and the questions he asks above if you were to draw such a 'delay' card?


Don S.

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