Tarot Reversals Aren't Scary: My 3-Step Cheat Sheet for Beginners

by Jeffrey Goldstein July 05, 2025

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If you’re new to tarot, nothing inspires fear like seeing a reversed card. Upside-down Death? Backward Lovers? It’s enough to send even the bravest beginner running.

But here’s the truth: reversals aren’t scary—they’re simply nuanced.
In fact, if you don’t use reversals, you’re missing half the language of tarot.

Let me walk you through a simple, beginner-friendly 3-step cheat sheet for reading reversals—no memorization required.

Debunking the “Gifted Deck” and Reversal Myths

Before we dive in, let's debunk two common myths:

1. “You must be gifted a tarot deck.”
   False. Buy your own deck, cleanse it, and it will work just as well. Energy comes from you, not tradition.

2. “Reversed cards are bad omens.”
   Nope. Reversals often signal internal, blocked, or delayed energies—not doom.

Think of reversals like shadows. They're not evil; they just show what’s unseen or developing.

Step 1: Visual Cues for Fast Meaning

One trick for reading reversals without memorization is to look at the card’s imagery upside down. Ask yourself:

• What’s falling?

• What’s stuck?

• What’s blocked?

Examples:

• The Chariot reversed may show loss of direction or control.

• The Ace of Cups reversed might represent emotions held back.

• The Lovers reversed could mean misalignment or disharmony.

When in doubt, think: “If upright is movement, reversed is pause.”

Step 2: Use the Reversal Spectrum

Imagine each card has a spectrum of expression:

• Upright = Outward, flowing, conscious energy

• Reversed = Internal, blocked, hidden energy

• Sideways/jumper = Transitional or needing clarity

This helps you read a reversed card not as “wrong,” but as a depth cue. Something is still unfolding.

Step 3: Practice with a Mini Spread

Use this 3-card spread to practice reversed readings:

• Card 1: What energy is flowing?

• Card 2: What is being blocked?

• Card 3: What can I do to realign?

Example spread:

• Upright Strength – You’re tapping into calm courage.

• Reversed 2 of Wands – But you're avoiding expansion or risk.

• Upright The Sun – Clarity will come through optimism and truth.

Bonus Tip: Journal the Reversal Meaning in Your Own Words

If you find a reversed card confusing, write:

"If this were upright, it would mean ___. But reversed, it might be suggesting ___."

This simple reframe makes tarot feel empowering, not intimidating.

Conclusion + Free Gift

Here's a quick keyword tarot guide

https://ripecolor.com/collections/tarot-reading/products/tarot-cheat-sheet

https://ripecolor.com/collections/tarot-reading/products/tarot-cheat-sheet-reversals

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Or take it further with my full guide, Tarot DeCoded, where I walk through reversed spreads card-by-card using real-life readings.

Reversals don’t need to feel like a curse—they’re just the Universe whispering, “Look deeper.”
Let your cards speak in all directions.

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