Unlocking the Shadows: Mastering Reversed Tarot Keywords for Deeper Readings
Just as a mirror can show a different perspective, so too do the cards of the Tarot reveal new insights when they appear reversed. The Reversed Tarot Keywords are a crucial component for truly mastering the deck. These terms delve into the blocked, unconscious, or challenging aspects of the Major and Minor Arcana, offering profound understanding of internal obstacles, hidden influences, and areas needing immediate attention. This guide will help you build your vocabulary for reversed cards, transforming your ability to interpret the 78 Tarot cards with nuance and confidence.
While upright cards often speak to conscious energies and straightforward situations, Reversed Tarot Keywords illuminate what lies beneath the surface. They can indicate delays, resistance, internal conflict, or an excessive (or deficient) expression of a card’s upright meaning. Mastering these interpretations allows for a more comprehensive and empathic reading, providing querents with invaluable insights into their shadow self and areas ripe for growth. Without a solid understanding of Reversed Tarot Keywords, a reading can feel incomplete, missing vital layers of psychological depth and practical guidance.
| Arcana / Suit | Tarot Card | Reversed Keywords |
|---|---|---|
| Major Arcana | 0. The Fool | Recklessness, fear of change, holding back, risk-taking |
| I. The Magician | Manipulation, poor planning, undeveloped talents, trickery | |
| II. The High Priestess | Secrets revealed, repressed feelings, information overload, blocked intuition | |
| III. The Empress | Dependence, smothering, creativity block, infertility, negligence | |
| IV. The Emperor | Domination, rigidity, tyranny, loss of control, immaturity | |
| V. The Hierophant | Rebellion, unconventionality, misuse of power, outdated beliefs | |
| VI. The Lovers | Disharmony, imbalance, misalignment of values, bad choices, conflict | |
| VII. The Chariot | Lack of control, blocked ambition, opposition, lack of direction | |
| VIII. Strength | Self-doubt, weakness, lack of self-control, low energy | |
| IX. The Hermit | Loneliness, withdrawal, paranoia, excessive isolation, fear of advice | |
| X. Wheel of Fortune | Bad luck, external forces, cycles ending, stagnation, breaking point | |
| XI. Justice | Unfairness, legal complexities, dishonesty, bias, dodging responsibility | |
| XII. The Hanged Man | Stalling, refusal to sacrifice, martyrdom, resistance, delay | |
| XIII. Death | Resistance to change, stagnation, fear of beginnings, decay | |
| XIV. Temperance | Imbalance, excess, clashing, impatience, going to extremes | |
| XV. The Devil | Breaking free, detachment, self-control, release from bondage | |
| XVI. The Tower | Avoiding disaster, fear of change, internal crisis, delayed chaos | |
| XVII. The Star | Hopelessness, despair, feeling uninspired, broken dreams, cynicism | |
| XVIII. The Moon | Releasing fear, confusion clearing, self-deception, unpleasant truth | |
| XIX. The Sun | Temporary clouding, lack of clarity, sadness, low vitality, pessimism | |
| XX. Judgement | Self-doubt, failure to learn from mistakes, avoiding accountability | |
| XXI. The World | Incompletion, lack of closure, shortcut, delay, unfinished business | |
| Wands | Ace of Wands | Blocked creativity, lack of motivation, delays, missed opportunities |
| Two of Wands | Fear of the unknown, lack of preparation, disorganization, indecision | |
| Three of Wands | Obstacles, unexpected setbacks, stagnation, absence of teamwork | |
| Four of Wands | Instability, broken home, tension, lack of support | |
| Five of Wands | Avoiding conflict, fear of failure, true conflict, disagreement resolution | |
| Six of Wands | Egotism, failure, lack of recognition, walking away, delay in success | |
| Seven of Wands | Giving up, overwhelmed, weakness, surrendering to opposition | |
| Eight of Wands | Delay, frustration, slow movement, missed flights, chaos | |
| Nine of Wands | Exhaustion, defensive, paranoia, refusing help, rigidity | |
| Ten of Wands | Dropping the burden, inability to delegate, carrying too much weight | |
| Page of Wands | Failing to act, creative block, bad news, pessimistic outlook | |
| Knight of Wands | Haste, recklessness, scattered energy, feeling stuck, frustration | |
| Queen of Wands | Aggression, demanding, jealousy, bitterness, low confidence | |
| King of Wands | Dictatorial, ruthless, lack of vision, hot temper, poor influence | |
| Cups | Ace of Cups | Blocked emotions, emptiness, bitterness, lack of creative flow |
| Two of Cups | Break up, imbalance in relationship, lack of harmony, detachment | |
| Three of Cups | Gossip, isolation, scandal, overindulgence, third party issues | |
| Four of Cups | Accepting the offer, new perspective, finding excitement, re-engagement | |
| Five of Cups | Moving on, acceptance, finding peace, healing, recovery from loss | |
| Six of Cups | Stuck in the past, childish behavior, lack of future focus, immaturity | |
| Seven of Cups | Willpower, clear options, practical approach, clarity of purpose | |
| Eight of Cups | Fear of walking away, avoiding necessary change, emotional stagnation | |
| Nine of Cups | Greed, dissatisfaction, emotional instability, self-pity, arrogance | |
| Ten of Cups | Dysfunctional family, broken home, emotional emptiness, disillusionment | |
| Page of Cups | Emotional immaturity, fantasy, unfulfilled expectations, emotional block | |
| Knight of Cups | Disappointment, moodiness, unrealistic, being ignored, failed proposal | |
| Queen of Cups | Insecurity, martyring, dependence, emotional manipulation | |
| King of Cups | Selfishness, emotional immaturity, coldness, deceit, being overwhelmed | |
| Swords | Ace of Swords | Confusion, chaos, misuse of power, intellectual block, destruction |
| Two of Swords | Unblocking, mental release, finding a way out, resolution, clarity | |
| Three of Swords | Recovering from heartbreak, forgiveness, letting go of pain | |
| Four of Swords | Exhaustion, restlessness, stagnation, fear of quiet | |
| Five of Swords | End of conflict, reconciliation, true loss, surrender, moving past shame | |
| Six of Swords | Stuck in the past, resisting travel, inability to move on, emotional baggage | |
| Seven of Swords | Coming clean, guilt, confession, overwhelmed by secrets, ethical choice | |
| Eight of Swords | Freedom, releasing restrictions, finding a way out, new perspective | |
| Nine of Swords | Hope, releasing worry, chronic unhappiness, facing deep fears, self-pity | |
| Ten of Swords | Recovery, inevitable end, fear of ruin, surviving disaster | |
| Page of Swords | Scattered energy, defensiveness, sarcasm, all talk and no action | |
| Knight of Swords | Impulsiveness, rush, violence, misplaced aggression, acting without thinking | |
| Queen of Swords | Bitchiness, coldness, lack of boundaries, victim mentality, cruelty | |
| King of Swords | Silence, intellectual dishonesty, poor judgment, authoritarian, misuse of power | |
| Pentacles (Coins) | Ace of Pentacles | Missed chance, bad investment, financial setback, poverty, scarcity |
| Two of Pentacles | Imbalance, overcommitment, financial chaos, unorganized priorities | |
| Three of Pentacles | Disharmony in group, lack of synergy, poor effort, not learning skills | |
| Four of Pentacles | Generosity, reckless spending, financial insecurity, letting go of control | |
| Five of Pentacles | Recovery from loss, positive change, spiritual poverty, feeling included | |
| Six of Pentacles | Selfishness, debt, uneven distribution of wealth, manipulation | |
| Seven of Pentacles | Impatience, quick returns, lack of long-term vision, disappointment | |
| Eight of Pentacles | Lack of focus, mediocrity, shoddy work, working too hard for little reward | |
| Nine of Pentacles | Loss of independence, shallow living, overspending, working too hard | |
| Ten of Pentacles | Family disputes, financial failure, breaking traditions, insecurity | |
| Page of Pentacles | Lack of progress, immaturity, financial block, lack of ambition | |
| Knight of Pentacles | Laziness, idleness, stagnation, irresponsibility, lack of initiative | |
| Queen of Pentacles | Negligence, financial insecurity, smothering, poor money management | |
| King of Pentacles | Greed, corruption, excessive materialism, failure to maintain wealth |
The Nuance of Reversed Tarot Keywords
When a card appears in its reversed position, its energy is not necessarily “bad,” but rather flowing in a less direct or more challenging way. The associated Reversed Tarot Keywords describe the primary ways this energy might be expressed:
- Blocked or Delayed: The energy is present but cannot move forward.
- Excessive: The upright energy is overdone, leading to negative consequences.
- Deficient: The upright energy is lacking, causing a vacuum.
- Internalized: The energy is focused inwards, perhaps causing self-sabotage.
- Re-evaluation: A call to reconsider previous actions or beliefs.
For example, the upright Ten of Pentacles speaks of “completion” and “security.” When reversed, its Reversed Tarot Keywords might include “financial instability,” “broken legacy,” or “family disputes.” This immediately shifts the focus from external success to internal or relational challenges, guiding the reader to explore areas of insecurity or conflict. Learning these Reversed Tarot Keywords enables you to interpret the subtle complexities of a situation, providing more targeted and effective advice.
External Sources for Reversed Tarot Keywords: Project Gutenberg – A.E. Waite’s The Pictorial Key to the Tarot https://www.gutenberg.org/files/6690/6690-h/6690-h.htm, LearnTarot.com – Lesson 17: Reversed Tarot Cards https://www.learntarot.com/less17.htm, Carrie Mallon – How to read reversed tarot cards https://carriemallon.com/blog/how-to-read-reversed-tarot-cards/
