History of reversals in tarot

[Moongold]

I"d like to know more and would appreciate any information or comment.

Mary Greer's Tarot reversals has a brief segment citing works by Alliette and de Gebelin (please excuse me if I don't have the form of the name correct).

Some of this historical work indicates that initially reversals may simply have been *invented* to provide more options for reading. Greer implies that the trend towards psychological and spiritual interpretations has given new meaning to reversals as an aide to reading.

Lastly she mentions the "intuitive reader" who creates and uses personal systems of reading which include reversals. Much of this work doesn't find its way to literature.

I guess this is as much a question about the history of methods of reading as anything else. However, any ideas appreciated.

 

[Lee]

Hi Moongold, the impression I've gotten is that reversals were originally used by some for reading with playing cards, and when Alliette/Etteilla wrote his book on how to do divination with tarot (which I believe was the first such book), he retained this technique from playing-card reading, and also later built it into his own deck, which contains upright keywords and reversed keywords on the cards.

-- Lee

 

[firestorm]

I'm glad you posted this as I have been wondering, after reading some old threads on the reversal/nonreversal discussions, when the practice began. Somehow, I don't envision the early users of tarot using reversals, however, I don't claim to have any knowledge one way or the other. I'm anxious to read more posts on this.

 

[KyrieSummer]

That is very interesting, and it sounds quite plausible as well. Thanks for sharing!! I look forward, also to any other information on this subject. Fascinating.

- KyrieSummer -

 

[Moongold]

Thanks for your replies.

I'm doing a little more searching. There are some texts liisted in Mary Greer's Complete Book of Tarot Reversals and I'll check those out. There is an interesting bibliography in Mary's book which could yield more information.

Y'know.....I've had this book since it was published but have not read it cover to cover, although I use it frequently It is amazing what treasures one can find in one's own backyard.

Then it might require a bit more refined searching of specialist tarot sites.

If you find anything yourselves it would be good to check in.

Moongold