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The Newbie and Reversed Cards

Question

I am frustrated about reversals, and maybe it's because I think too much.

What is a Reversed Card?

A reversed card is a card (or cards) that come up - inverted or upside down when dealt out. This is often designated as [R] or [Rx] for reversed.

Upright Card
Reversed Card
5 of Cups 5 of Cups [Rx]
5 of Cups
5 of Cups [Rx]

Card from the Universal Waite Deck


One Possible Answer
(And my own recommendation.)

My advice to anyone just starting to learn the tarot is to forget about using Reversed Cards.  At least until you have all 78 meanings down for the upright cards.  Knowing the reversed meanings of the cards doesn't do you a bit of good unless you know the upright meanings first, how to do a spread layout or two, and to be able to read the cards for those layouts.  There is enough to learn to start with so leave reversed cards until you know what you are doing a little better.

If you pull a reversed card then turn it upright.

Some readers never even bother using reversed cards and since I have come back to the tarot after a long hiatus I haven't been using reversed cards much and it doesn't seem to have adversely effected any readings I have done.  Learn all the other things you need to know and then worry about reversed cards.

NOTE
This same advise goes for learning and using ED's (Elemental Dignities) and the Shadow Aspects of the cards.  Wait until you know the cards upright meanings before attempting either. Elemental Dignities and the Shadow Aspects of cards will eventually be explained on the Tarot Studies web site. If you don't know what ED's or Shadow Aspects are don't worry about it. If that knowledge comes, it will come in it's own good time.

Tarot Principle #5 (Keyword: Patience!)
Knowledge comes in its own good time. You will learn what you need to know - when you need to know it - and when you are ready for that knowledge. Don't rush things!


Don S.

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