Why I Don’t Read Reversals in Tarot

You’ve probably heard tarot readers talk about “reversals”—but what if I told you I’ve been reading tarot professionally for over a decade and I never use them?

Hi, I’m Sarah, a professional tarot reader and the intuitive behind Mystic Rose Tarot. I help babes connect with their inner wisdom and step into their magic. Today, I want to walk you through why I don’t read reversals in my practice—and why you don’t have to either.

In this blog post, I’ll break down:

• What reversals are

• The pros and cons of reading reversals

• Why I personally don’t use them

• What I do instead

• And how you can tell if reversals are right for you

What Is a Reversal in Tarot?

When you pull a tarot card, it can come up either upright (right-side up) or reversed (upside down). A reversed card is what we call a reversal.

Reversals are typically interpreted as:

• The opposite of the card’s usual meaning

• A blocked or internal version of its energy

• A shadow or exaggerated aspect of the card

Example:

• Upright Ace of Cups: Emotional openness, new love, heart-centered opportunities.

• Reversed Ace of Cups: Emotional blockage, repressed feelings, or missing a chance at connection.

Do You Have To Read Reversals?

Short answer? No.

Reading reversals is completely optional. You can absolutely have deep, insightful, and powerful tarot readings using only upright cards.

In fact, I don’t recommend reading reversals if you’re new to tarot. Learning 78 cards is enough of a journey—why double the workload?

When I was a beginner, I didn’t read reversals. And honestly, I never felt the need to add them in later.

Why I Don’t Read Reversals

Here’s the thing: I don’t find reversals necessary. The symbolism and layers of meaning in the tarot are already so rich.

When I pull a card—whether it lands upright or upside down—I turn it upright and read it that way. And here’s why:

• Tarot is already deep. Between the card meanings, spreads, and intuitive nudges, there’s more than enough info to work with.

• Negativity bias is real. As humans, we’re wired to focus on the negative. I prefer to use tarot as a tool that empowers and uplifts.

• There are already "challenging" cards. Like… The Tower. The Devil. Three of Swords. We don’t need more negativity to go deep.

I’ve also found that reading reversals didn’t bring me (or my clients) any more clarity. In fact, it sometimes made readings more confusing and less joyful.

What Can You Do Instead of Reading Reversals?

So you’re ready to add more nuance and depth to your tarot practice—but without reversals? Love that for you. 💖

Here are some of my favorite alternatives:

1. Use more specific spreads. Try spreads that invite complexity through card position and context. For example:

• My “In & Out” Spread: One card for what to invite in, and one card for what to release or let out.

• Theme-based spreads (like love, career, shadow work)

• Custom spreads based on your question or situation

2. Get curious about the card’s spectrum. Every tarot card has a range of light and shadow meanings. Ask yourself:

• Is this energy fully expressed or blocked?

• What part of this card do I most resonate with today?

3. Use intuitive cues. Sometimes, I’ll notice how a card feels—and that helps me decide whether I want to explore its more shadowy or empowering sides.

Is Reading Reversals Bad?

Not at all.

Tarot is deeply personal. Would you tell someone how to pray? No, right? Same goes here. If reversals feel aligned for you—go for it!

But I do encourage beginners to start with upright readings. It’s simpler, easier to learn, and allows you to get really solid on the core meanings of each card first.

How Do You Know If You Should Read Reversals?

Trust your intuition. Seriously—it’s your best tarot teacher.

Try this:

• Pull a card and notice your gut reaction. Do you feel curious, confused, or resistant?

• Practice both interpretations. Imagine path A is upright, and path B is reversed. Which feels more true?

You can even test this in your readings:

• Try a session where you keep all cards upright.

• Then try one where you allow reversals to show up.

• Reflect on what felt more natural or insightful.

Final Thoughts

Reading tarot is a co-creative experience between you, your cards, and your intuition. There’s no “one way” to do it—and that’s the beauty of it.

I don’t read reversals because I don’t need to. The messages still land. The insight still flows. The magic still happens.

So if reversals aren’t your vibe? You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not doing tarot wrong.

Want more intuitive tarot tips like this? Sign up for my newsletter or book a 1:1 reading—no reversals required. 😉