A Unique Approach to Reversals

Ruth Ann and Wald Amberstone have a wonderful book called Tarot Tips. It is filled with bite-sized tips that are perfect for dipping in and adding something new to your practice or to bring to a Tarot Meet Up or tarot play date.

Reversals are always interesting. Every reader has their own perspective. One offered in this book comes from Tip 30: Secret Paths. It is called The Reversed Major Secret Path and it goes like this:

The next time a Major Arcana comes up reversed, take a look at its numerological partner. You may find the information you need is found there:

21 World/ 3 Empress

20 Judgement/ 2 High Priestess

19 Sun/ 10 Wheel

18 Moon/ 9 Hermit

17 Star/ 8 Strength

16 Tower/ 7 Chariot

15 Devil/ 6 Lovers

14 Temperance/ 5 Hierophant

13 Death/ 4 Emperor

12 Hanged Man/ 3 Empress

11 Justice/ 2 High Priestess

10 Wheel/ Magician

This technique is very playful, and the play is to find connections. There is no right or wrong way to go about it, and no rules as to when to use it.

This is not from Tarot Tips, but another idea I’ve heard (but I’ve forgotten from whom, so if you know, let me know!). If a card is reversed, think about the card that comes before it numerically. Perhaps the reversed card is stalled energy because the energy of the card that would come before it numerically has not been fully realized.