Question for thoth readers: do you read reversals? Why or why not?

[Maverick]

I’ve seen a lot of talk for both options, but I am still learning so I wanted to hear opinions from more experienced people!

Discussion

[sputnikpickle]

I don’t use reversals anymore in the traditional sense, because there is inherent duality in each card. Whether or not it is badly aspected with other cards greatly influences which end of the spectrum the card should be interpreted between its “dark” and “light” interpretations. Even light, positive readings or individual cards aren’t wholly orderly and perfect. We are human, and we live in a constant dialectic of feelings and experiences. The same can be said about the cards. That said, I learn the reversed and upright meanings, and intuitively make an assessment of the cards based on what else is in the reading.

[lanternofthehermit]

I don’t mostly because the card backs aren’t symmetrical. I would know which cards are reversed before I pull them which could subconsciously influence a reading. I use reversals for most of my other decks, but I’ve never felt the need to with Thoth.

[DiscountDazzling]

Helps you learn how to do both, and expands your reading to show the negatives more
Clearly in my experience

[XxInk_BloodxX]

I see lots of people here addressing reading with reversals as there being a positive and negative side of a card. I disagree, the cards aren’t positive or negative to begin with, its all in the actual reading. I do read reversals, and it can be confusing because some people read them as opposite meanings and some read them as the original meaning taken to the extreme. I read opposites and it adds a lot of nuance.

My advice if you wanted to try reading reversals would be to really think on the symbolism and your intuition on the card, think on what it means on its own, and then on what it might mean reversed.

Would the card normally symbolize balance in life? Maybe your life is out of balance now.

Did you get a Reversed Star representing your past? Maybe you’re coming out of a dark place where you had very little hope.

Thats just how I view it at least, you could try both and just do what feels right.

[[deleted]]

I don’t read reversals because it just confuses me and distorts my intuition. Imo there’s already enough negative cards in the deck and they’ll come out when necessary, so I don’t really need a card to be reversed to tell me if I need to interpret it differently

[talismantarot]

You don’t have to read reversals in order to read reversals, if that makes sense, the reversal position of a card emphasizes one of the two sides that every card possess, but you don’t necessarily need this emphasis in order to read it. Reversals help the reader determine if they are conversing with the actual card or the card’s shadow self, something that can be rather difficult to determine, if you don’t read reversals, because the shadow is cunning! When you read reversals, the shadow is “exposed” and the card can’t deceive you. I would recommend reading reversals, just because it can prevent confusion, but you don’t have to, as long as you just acknowledge that the shadow is there.

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Reversals are cards that are dealt upside down in a reading. Some people choose to read these cards differently than if they were dealt right side up. This is completely optional – everyone’s tarot technique is different. Some people find reversals bring more depth to a reading, while others find that they obscure or muddle interpretation.

A reversed card can be read multiple ways; it can be interpreted as the opposite of the card’s upright meaning, or that the card’s upright meaning is somehow blocked, concealed, ignored or delayed. It can also be read as an indication that the “action” of the card is happening – or needs to happen – internally.

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[po1soninthatgumb0]

i used to!! i stopped because i found that it stresses me out and makes me overthink the meaning so instead i just read the upright cards but i’m working towards being able to read both ways!

[According-Parsley-51]

Yes, but I ask the universe before to clarify if I will. It may be because of the cards I use also. Their books come with reversal meanings and I find reading in reverse to always be quite accurate in helping guide the flow of the read.

I don’t think there is a right or wrong way though.

[[deleted]]

Reversals all the way. Personally worked with Tarot without Reversals. After using Reversals way more accurate. Life isn’t sugar coated. Neither are the Tarot. Negative thinking is not a good thing. Negative readings are way better. I feel that 💯 😌. Not discrediting non reversal reading, just feel like it half the story. There is an excellent book about making all readings positive. Fearless Tarot. Negative/Positive readings can be framed with skill and subtlety to be positive. It’s language use. Just look at the connotation of the death card. Oh no the death card 💀 😑…. for me that’s the death of a part of your life and the beginning of something new. Positive frameworks doesn’t mean no negative. It means acknowledgement that life doesn’t go the way you want it.

[DaydreamLion]

I like to; it does complicate things, but no one said life has simple answers, eh? Because the future is to a degree changeable, answers the tarot provides will never be cut and dry.