Is a Reversed Card Bad? How to Read Reversals in Tarot
A card that appears upside down is called reversed. Many assume a reversal means something bad, but it is not that simple.
The basic idea
A reversal can mean the card’s energy is weakened, distorted, turned inward, or excessive. For example, upright Strength is calm power, while reversed it can indicate lost confidence or too much endurance.
Three ways to read it
1) Weakened: the energy is lacking or not yet expressed. 2) Overdone: a good quality has gone to an extreme and lost balance. 3) Inward: the stage of preparation or realization before it shows outwardly. Think about which of the three fits your situation.
A reversal is a hint about the challenge
A reversal points to what to watch for now. There is no need to fear it. A reversed Chariot, for example, is a chance to check whether you are moving on momentum alone.
You can also skip reversals
If reversals feel difficult, you can read every card as upright. As you get used to it, add reversals gradually. This site lists both meanings.
More guides
- What Is Tarot? Major and Minor Arcana: A Beginner’s Guide
- How to Read Spreads: One-Card, Three-Card, and Five-Card Layouts
- How to Ask a Good Tarot Question
All 22 Major Arcana ・ All guides
Tarot readings are entertainment and reflection, not medical, legal, or financial advice.