AUTHOR’S NOTE: My long-standing practice has been to allow the population of upright and reversed cards in my decks to become cumulative over time since I never put them back into “out-of-the-box” order. Prior to use I do a quick randomizing so some of the cards will obviously change from one state to the other, and the subsequent acts of shuffling and cutting will determine how many of each orientation come to the top of the pile for the present reading. However, I believe there may be a more interactive way for my sitters to become involved.

I’ve seen guidance that recommends having the querent shuffle the deck with the goal of introducing random reversals, and then the reader lays the cards in a way that doesn’t disrupt that condition. That’s all well-and-good, but I think it unnecessarily complicates the process. Consequently, I now have them work with the deck’s pre-existing arrangement (with which they can tinker if they choose) and allow random card selection to determine which appear reversed in the layout. But here is a different idea.

In the past, after the client shuffled and cut the deck, I took it upon myself to pull the cards from the top for the reading. In the future, I will instead consider having the seeker pull each card face-down, pausing before placing it on the table to decide how it ought to land in the spread, and flipping it if they are subconsciously moved to do that. Given the randomized complexion of the deck and the face-down nature of the draw, it may not actually come out reversed, but the possibility will be there. (This would have to be done with a deck that has reversible backs; otherwise it would be no fun.)

This will require that I first explain the general implication of reversal as representing indirect or oblique influences that could subtly alter that card’s impact, in keeping with my current view that reversal doesn’t materially change a card’s core meaning, just its mode of delivery and angle of attack. They will then appreciate that reversed orientation could indicate circumstances (in the form of unheralded but not always unpleasant surprises) that warrant increased vigilance, potentially of the opportunistic or cautionary kind.

I find this premise to be more useful than simply predicting “delay or blockage” of the energy since it advises “looking both ways and behind you” before proceeding. You never know what’s sneaking up on you! Thinking further about it since I initially drafted this essay, I now propose that the dealer intentionally pause and consider before placing cards in any of the critical spread locations, such as the “outcome” and “turning-point” positions, since orientation can potentially have a greater impact on those situational milestones.