How  important are upside down cards in interpreting a tarot reading?

In learning the cards, I've been doing three-card readings and have usually affirmed that in my reading, the meaning of the cards will be the same regardless of whether they are rightside up, upside down or sideways.

What approaches do others take regarding upside down cards?

Thanks.

(Note to myself: This is my second-ever post. 248 to go?)

Since this is a general Tarot question I will move it to General Tarot Forum.

If it had been a Tarot Reading Request then Tarot Reading Forum would be the right place.

General discussions are about subject that aren't a part of those trades listed here

Just for General information.

HI,

Firstly we don't refer to cards as "upside down". It just sounds better refering to them as "reversed".

Follow this link, and I have given a slight explanation on the significance of reversed cards:

docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0AZyuZlzfve9GZGd0a3I2MzlfMTYyaGttMmpxZHM&hl=en

Therefore it truly depends upon you of how you want to read your cards, consider how you feel comfortable with.

Blessed be.

Hello Goddessgirl

If you are new to tarot, then I suggest you do Upright cards only at first.
Or, as you have been doing, you can turn Reversed cards back to their Upright position and continue your reading. I know readers who ignore the Reversed card altogether.
There are tutors who say the Reversed meaning is the same but of a lesser energy than the Upright meaning.
There are tutors who see the Reversed card as a totally different meaning, thus instead of 78 meanings, you get 78x2 cards.

It depends how you believe the cards fall into place... If you believe it is the divine or spirit's 'arrangement' that the cards fall the way they do, then do you doubt that they would still show another card which is Upright and yet conveying the message the seeker needs to hear?

By the same token, if a Reversed card is absolutely necessary and there is no other card to convey that meaning or message, then I believe IT WILL BE REVERSED WHETHER WE LIKE IT OR NOT. This has happened to me in my readings.

I do not sit on the floor and spread my cards in such a messy way in order to intentionally create reversals; these can happen even when I am doing straightforward shuffling (especially of late). So, don't worry too much about reversals; just get to know your cards. Check their reversed feelings (meanings) too and familiarise yourself, but you do not have to create reversals by a shuffling the cards in a haphazard manner. If it is meant to be, it will be..

My penny's worth on reversals.

I'm a self-taught Tarot reader, and I'm not as old or as experienced, but here is my take on reversals:

I have learned they can mean several things:
1 Completely opposite to upright meaning
2 Suppressed upright meaning
3 Just more/less "important"

Choosing which way to read them is your own personal decision, unless your deck specifically states to read them a certain way(even then, follow your gut).

As much as I'm sure cedars knows more than I do, if you want to learn reversals, I recommend starting to learn them now. Switching from reading only uprights to uprights and reversals just seems confusing to me. :] But, that's my take.

I'm not that great at explaining, but if you ever want or need a friend learning Tarot as well, please, let me know! C: I'm here to make friends after all.