Episode 23: Reversals: Backwards and Forwards
Archived
This Podcast Episode has been archived. It is available for purchase at shop.tarotconnection.net in the Year One Archive mp3 DVD. |
Roger Tobin discusses reversals in Tarot, which is a topic open to a great amount of interpretation. Going from historical usage through modern interpretations, There are a number of ways to use and look at reversals, coupled with a number of questions for readers to consider in order to develop their own philosophy for using reversals.
Roger Tobin is a Professional Tarot Reader from Portland, Oregon. He was introduced to the Tarot in the late 1980s but started serious study and practice in 2002 after encouragement from his family. He is a member of The American Tarot Association and reads for both of their Networks. Roger is also a Mentor for new readers as well as an active community volunteer. He enjoys both studying and teaching of topics in Tarot, and helps lead the Portland Tarot Study group. You can find out more about his reading practice at his website Sylvan Creek Tarot.
Reversals Class with Teresa Michelsen (Portland, OR 2005)
- Seeing the good, bad, and neutral attributes of every card
- A survey of ways to use reversals, from traditional to modern to highly individual
- Obstacles and challenges
- Unhelpful influences (special discussion of court cards here)
- Hidden, deceptive, and unrealized factors
- Extreme or unbalanced energies
- Internal vs. external Special or assigned meanings
- Entire reversed readings
Teresa Michelsen is a tarot reader and instructor with more than 25 years of experience reading tarot. She is well-known on the tarot e-mail lists under her reading name of Thrysse, and has published many articles on tarot on the worldwide web and in ATA publications. Teresa is the author of Designing Your Own Tarot Spreads and the Complete Tarot Reader.
- Teresa’s Website Tarot Moon
- Reversals Class Information – January 2007
- CompTarot
- CompTarot Yahoo Group
Shake Rattle and Roll by Ginny Hunt
… The main thing about the Tower is it signals the disruption and even destruction of things that you thought were solid. The more comfortable we become in our castles, the more complacent we become, the less connected we are from others and from what is really important in our lives. We begin to believe the illusions of safety and security that we’ve built and start taking some very valuable things for granted. A Tower moment, though rarely welcome, unless it’s happening to someone you dislike very much, brings into sharp and sudden focus those things we thought indestructible and safe, and subsequently presumed too much upon. … Read the Entire Post
Music Credits
- Opening Music: time release by the Droney Tones.

- 78 Notes Music: A Life Worth Living by Royalty Free Music
- Closing Music: Chanter voel par grant amour by Joglaresa from the album Magdalena (www.magnatune.com)










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December 19th, 2006 at 12:39 pm
The combination of information from Roger Tobin and Teresa Michelson concerning reversals is very empowering. It allows the Tarot student/reader to see the ways in which reversals can be read, and that they are, above all, NOT the reverse meaning of an upright card.
My personal belief is that the meaning of the cards comes through in looking at them within the context of a spread. I personally do not read reversals, unless they come into a reading because of the manner in which a client has shuufled. Then I leave them as they are, but still interpret them within the context of the spread being read.
If a reader chooses to not read with reversals, then I highly recommend developing another method, whether it be using numerology, elemental dignities, or something that the reader themselves comes up with. Use this method consistently, and your readings will not only be consistent, but they will gain depth.
Blessings,
Bonnie
August 24th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Three great segments in this episode. Thank you so much for sharing and for helping me become a better reader and teacher of the Tarot.
Love & Light, Lisa