How to Interpret Cards

Guide to understanding upright and reversed meanings, reading keywords, and developing intuitive interpretations

How to Interpret Tarot Cards

Interpreting tarot cards is both an art and a skill. While each card has traditional meanings, the true power of tarot lies in your ability to weave these meanings into the context of a specific question or situation.

Upright vs Reversed Meanings

Upright Cards

When a card appears upright in a reading, it expresses its core energy in a direct, unblocked manner:

• Full expression of the card’s primary meaning
• Energy is flowing naturally
• Qualities are manifesting clearly
• Straightforward interpretation applies

Example: El Sol (The Sun) upright = Joy, success, vitality, and clarity flowing freely

Reversed Cards

Reversed cards (appearing upside-down) suggest the energy is:

• Blocked or internal - The quality is present but not fully expressed
• Excessive or imbalanced - Too much of the card’s energy
• Delayed or weakened - The energy is diminished or postponed
• Shadow expression - The challenging aspect of the card’s energy

Example: El Sol reversed = Ego issues, temporary sadness, forced optimism, or blocked vitality

In Luz de Arcanos, reversed cards are determined randomly when drawn (60% upright, 40% reversed). The app automatically displays the appropriate keywords based on card orientation.

Reading Keywords

Each card comes with carefully chosen keywords that capture its essence:

How to Use Keywords

1. Scan all keywords for the card’s overall energy
2. Choose 1-2 keywords that resonate with the question
3. Combine keywords from multiple cards to build a narrative
4. Use keywords as springboards for intuitive insights

Don’t feel restricted by keywords. They’re meant to spark your intuition, not limit it. If a different interpretation feels right, trust that feeling.

Example Keyword Reading

Question: “What do I need to know about my current project?”

Card Drawn: Tres de Bastos (Three of Wands) - Upright

Keywords: expansión, exploración, progreso, oportunidades

Interpretation: Your project is entering a phase of expansion. The initial groundwork has been laid, and now opportunities for growth are appearing on the horizon. This is a time for exploration and thinking bigger.

Context Matters

The same card can mean different things depending on:

1. The Question Asked

• Career question: Reina de Oros = Practical leadership, financial success
• Relationship question: Reina de Oros = Nurturing partner, stable home life
• Personal growth: Reina de Oros = Developing practical wisdom, self-sufficiency

2. Position in the Spread

• Past position: What has already influenced the situation
• Present position: Current energies at play
• Future position: Likely outcome or what’s approaching
• Advice position: Recommended course of action

3. Surrounding Cards

Cards influence each other:

• El Mago + As de Bastos = Manifesting creative inspiration into reality
• Cinco de Copas + La Estrella = Healing after loss, renewed hope
• Diez de Espadas + El Juicio = Complete ending leading to spiritual rebirth

Example: Full Interpretation with Context

Scenario: Three-card reading about a career change

Spread: Past - Present - Future

Cards:

• Past: Ocho de Oros (dedication, mastery, apprenticeship)
• Present: Dos de Espadas (difficult decision, stalemate)
• Future: As de Bastos (new inspiration, creative beginning)

Interpretation:

You’ve spent significant time mastering your current field (Ocho de Oros), developing real skill and expertise. Now you’re at a crossroads (Dos de Espadas), feeling torn between staying where you’re comfortable and pursuing something new. The future card reveals that a burst of creative inspiration (As de Bastos) is coming - a new path that excites you. The reading suggests honoring your past efforts while being open to this emerging opportunity.

Developing Your Intuition

Trust Your First Impression

When you turn over a card:

1. Notice your immediate feeling - What emotion arises?
2. Observe the imagery - What catches your eye first?
3. Sense the energy - Does it feel light or heavy, active or passive?
4. Then consult keywords - Use them to refine, not replace, your intuition

Practice Techniques

Daily Card Draw

Pull one card each morning and reflect on how its energy appears throughout your day

Journaling

Write interpretations before checking meanings, then compare your intuition with traditional keywords

Story Building

Draw 3 cards and create a story connecting them - practice seeing narrative flow

Question Practice

Ask specific questions and track how accurate your interpretations prove over time

Common Interpretation Pitfalls

Avoid These Mistakes

❌ Being too literal - Tarot speaks in symbols and metaphors

❌ Ignoring reversals - They add important nuance

❌ Fearing “negative” cards - Even difficult cards offer wisdom

❌ Forgetting the question - Keep the original query in mind

❌ Over-relying on memorization - Trust your developing intuition

Better Approaches

✅ Think symbolically - What might this represent in the querent’s life?

✅ Embrace the full spectrum - Light and shadow both teach

✅ Stay question-focused - How does this card answer what was asked?

✅ Blend knowledge and intuition - Use both head and heart

✅ Practice regularly - Skill develops with consistent use

Remember: There are no “bad” cards in tarot. Even La Muerte (Death) or La Torre (The Tower) herald necessary transformations and breakthroughs. Every card has gifts to offer.

Next Steps

Now that you understand interpretation principles, explore the individual cards:

• Major Arcana List - See all 22 Major Arcana cards
• Major Arcana Meanings - Detailed interpretations
• Minor Arcana Suits - Explore Wands, Pentacles, Cups, and Swords