When I was 15 and laid the cards out to do my first ever Tarot reading for a friend, it didn’t even enter my mind that Tarot Reversals could be a thing. To be fair, I didn’t know anything about the cards from a theoretical point of view. All I knew was that the Tarot card images had an irresistible, magnetic pull on me. That summer, while visiting the UK from Sweden, a random shop clerk predicted that I would be a Tarot reader one day, without me speaking a word.
My first Tarot reading shocked me to the core thanks to a massive psychic hit that led to my friend getting help for abuse that she had been afraid to talk about. I didn’t know what to make of it all so I put the cards away and didn’t pick them up again for serious Tarot studies until my first Saturn return in my late 20s.
At that time, I started experimenting with Tarot reversals because it was the thing to do according to resources I came across, even though it felt weird and disrupted the flow of reading the cards intuitively. I couldn’t understand why I struggled and reading books that explained Tarot reversals made my confusion worse.
It’s All About the Brain
Then, many years later, I came across some stuff about how the brain works regarding our intuitive facilities. To access our inner knowing, the brain needs to be in the alpha brainwave state. Unbeknownst to myself, I achieve this state through shuffling and quietly laying the cards out, allowing myself to first scan the images without judging what I see.
This way of reading the cards allows me to remain in the alpha brainwave state throughout the reading, especially when I do email readings which allow me to deepen the trance even more–I often channel while I type!
Seeing pictures that, in my mind, are ‘the wrong way around’ jolts me out of the alpha brainwave state faster than my dogs barking at the postman.
Now, that’s not to say your brain works the same way but I prefer a more flowing and intuitive way of scanning the images visually. That’s when I start feeling the energies of the cards and also open up to receive claircognisant information.
What I Do Instead of Tarot Reversals
I’m now at the stage of feeling the flow of energy without analysing Elemental and Zodiacal correspondences but learning those is how I was able to add the deeper layers of meaning that some derive from reading upside-down cards.
One of the most helpful books that I came across on my journey to learning Astrological correspondences was Tarot Decoded: Understanding and Using Dignities and Correspondences by Liz Hazel. I also spent some time learning how to work with Elemental Dignities.
But the most helpful thing in terms of feeling the energy was attending astrology workshops with Helen Tremeer. She teaches her students to feel the energy of the Zodiac by standing on a Zodiac Wheel mat. Her teachings were truly revelatory and continue to act as a cornerstone for the work I do today.
What Are Elemental Dignities?
Elemental Dignities are a method of understanding the relationships between Tarot cards based on the classical elements of Earth, Air, Fire, and Water. Each Tarot card has an elemental association, either through its suit or its astrological correspondence. For example, the suit of Wands corresponds to Fire, Cups to Water, Swords to Air, and Pentacles to Earth. By examining how the elements of neighbouring cards interact, you can gain insights into the flow of energy within a reading.
The concept rests on the dynamic relationships between the elements:
- Fire and Water are opposing forces and can weaken each other’s energy.
- Air and Earth are also oppositional, creating friction or stagnation when placed together.
- Fire and Air complement and strengthen each other, as do Earth and Water.
When you incorporate Elemental Dignities into your readings, you’re no longer viewing the cards as isolated symbols. Instead, you’re engaging with them as part of an interconnected energetic web that mirrors the dynamics of life itself.
Using Elemental Dignities Intuitively
Once you’ve studied the elemental associations and their interactions, you can begin to rely less on memorised rules and more on your intuitive sense of the energy they create. For instance, if a fiery card like the Ace of Wands is flanked by watery cards such as the Queen of Cups and the Two of Cups, you might feel a dampening of enthusiasm. It’s as if the fiery spark is being extinguished by emotional currents.
To start developing this intuitive sense, try the following:
- Study the Basics: Familiarise yourself with the elemental associations and their dynamics. A simple table or flashcards can help reinforce this knowledge. This is not “an advanced practice” but something I recommend you start as soon as you begin learning card meanings. After all, the structure of the Tarot depends entirely on the Elements.
- Practice Feeling the Energy: Lay out three cards and focus on the interplay of their elements. What do you sense about the energy flow? Does it feel harmonious, chaotic, or blocked?
- Trust Your First Impressions: Over time, you’ll start noticing patterns and intuitive hits as you assess the elemental interactions. Allow these impressions to guide your interpretations.
The beauty of working with Elemental Dignities is that it invites you to trust your inner knowing while providing a structured framework to enhance your understanding. It aligns perfectly with the fluid and flowing style of reading that bypasses the interruption of the alpha brainwave state. Once mastered, you will find yourself naturally sensing the elemental dance without needing to consciously name it. This is when the practice truly becomes second nature and enriches your readings in ways that feel effortless.
