Upright vs Reversed Tarot — Understanding Card Orientation

What does “upright” mean in tarot?

An upright card is positioned in its standard orientation — the way it appears in most guidebooks.
It generally represents the card’s core meaning, expressed directly and clearly.

Upright cards often indicate:

• Energy flowing naturally or being accessible
• Opportunities, resources, or lessons available now
• External events or visible influences

Example: Upright The Sun — clarity, joy, confidence, and success are shining in your favor.

What does “reversed” mean in tarot?

A reversed card appears upside down compared to its standard orientation. Interpretations vary, but
reversals often signal adjustments, blockages, internalized energy, or alternative expressions of the card’s theme.

Reversed cards can represent:

• Delays or challenges in manifesting the upright energy
• Internal processing rather than outward action
• Overuse, underuse, or imbalance of the card’s qualities
• A call to look within for answers

Example: Reversed The Sun — optimism is clouded, self-doubt creeps in, or joy is muted by circumstances.

Approaches to reading reversals

There’s no single “correct” method — it depends on your style and the context of the reading. Common approaches include:

• Blocked energy: The card’s upright meaning is present but hindered.
• Opposite meaning: Reading the reversal as the inverse of the upright meaning.
• Internal focus: The energy is happening within you rather than in the external world.
• Excess or imbalance: The energy is too strong, leading to distortion or burnout.

Should you read reversals?

If you’re new to tarot, you might start with upright cards only to build confidence. Later, adding reversals can
enrich your readings and offer a more complete picture. Some readers prefer not to use them at all, relying on
card combinations, spread positions, and intuition for nuance.

On OneCardTarot, you can choose whether to include reversed cards in your draws.

Tips for working with reversals

• Decide before the reading whether you’ll use reversals.
• Keep a tarot journal to track how reversed meanings play out in your life.
• Look for patterns — do certain cards often appear reversed for you?
• Don’t fear reversals — they often highlight important growth opportunities.

Summary table: Upright vs Reversed