Reversed cards often indicate blockage, delay, reversal, inner focus, or excess/deficiency of the upright meaning.
However, here is a list of commonly accepted keywords for the reverse meanings of the Rider-Waite-Smith (RWS) Tarot system, broken down by Major Arcana and the four Suits:
Major Arcana Reversed Keywords
| Card | Reversed Keywords |
| 0 – The Fool | Recklessness, carelessness, holding back, fear of change, bad choice |
| I – The Magician | Deception, manipulation, unused talent, trickery, blocked creativity |
| II – The High Priestess | Secrets revealed, repressed intuition, superficiality, emotional outburst |
| III – The Empress | Creative block, infertility, overbearing, neglected self, financial dependency |
| IV – The Emperor | Tyranny, rigidity, loss of control, lack of discipline, immaturity |
| V – The Hierophant | Rejection of tradition, unconventionality, poor counsel, cult-like belief |
| VI – The Lovers | Disharmony, bad choice, indecision, separation, lack of commitment |
| VII – The Chariot | Lack of control, scattered focus, aggression, travel delays, defeat |
| VIII – Strength | Weakness, self-doubt, lack of courage, fear, overcompensation |
| IX – The Hermit | Isolation, paranoia, being stuck, loneliness, foolish exhibition |
| X – Wheel of Fortune | Bad luck, resistance to change, delay, setbacks, turning for the worse |
| XI – Justice | Injustice, unfairness, bias, legal problems, dishonesty, avoiding accountability |
| XII – The Hanged Man | Indecision, unnecessary sacrifice, stagnation, clinging to the past |
| XIII – Death | Stagnation, resisting change, fear of transformation, slow ending |
| XIV – Temperance | Imbalance, discord, excess, conflict, uncooperativeness, extreme action |
| XV – The Devil | Freedom, release, overcoming addiction, breaking chains, self-control |
| XVI – The Tower | Averting disaster, prolonged suffering, minor setbacks, fear of change |
| XVII – The Star | Disappointment, lack of hope, self-doubt, focusing on the negative |
| XVIII – The Moon | Self-deception, releasing fear, confusion, mental instability, secrets uncovered |
| XIX – The Sun | Temporary unhappiness, clouded enthusiasm, blocked success, overly positive |
| XX – Judgment | Self-doubt, refusal to face facts, delay in judgment, guilt, rejection |
| XXI – The World | Incompletion, delay, lack of closure, failed to achieve, feeling stuck |
Minor Arcana Reversed Keywords
Suit of Wands (Action, Energy, Initiative)
| Card | Reversed Keywords |
| Ace of Wands | Creative block, apathy, delayed start, fruitless efforts, loss of drive |
| Two of Wands | Fear of the unknown, planning delays, impatience, limited options |
| Three of Wands | Obstacles, project delays, lack of foresight, betrayal, lost opportunities |
| Four of Wands | Instability, broken harmony, unfulfilling celebration, transition problems |
| Five of Wands | Avoidance of conflict, lack of competition, cheating, harmony at all costs |
| Six of Wands | Failure, public disgrace, lack of confidence, canceled plans, unearned praise |
| Seven of Wands | Giving up, overwhelmed, timid, lack of backbone, defeat, anxiety |
| Eight of Wands | Delay, slow communication, misplaced energy, stagnation, arguments |
| Nine of Wands | Exhaustion, paranoia, defensiveness, chronic problems, over-prepared |
| Ten of Wands | Avoidance of responsibility, dumping burdens, chronic stress, oppression |
| Page of Wands | Negative news, hastiness, temper tantrums, unfulfilled potential |
| Knight of Wands | Impulse, recklessness, delay, abandonment, shattered excitement |
| Queen of Wands | Jealousy, demanding, temperamental, unsupportive, blocked ambition |
| King of Wands | Tyrannical, ruthless, dictatorial, impatience, overly demanding |
Suit of Cups (Emotions, Relationships, Intuition)
| Card | Reversed Keywords |
| Ace of Cups | Repressed emotions, emptiness, bitterness, love blocked, emotional loss |
| Two of Cups | Disharmony, breakup, emotional manipulation, failed partnership, separation |
| Three of Cups | Overindulgence, scandal, gossip, isolation, a fractured reunion |
| Four of Cups | New perspectives, emotional clarity, apathy lifted, missed opportunity regret |
| Five of Cups | Moving on, forgiveness, recovery, dwelling on the past, acceptance |
| Six of Cups | Clinging to the past, inability to let go, stagnation, sheltered childhood |
| Seven of Cups | Willpower, focus, practical decision, lack of imagination, clouded vision |
| Eight of Cups | Fear of change, settling, staying in a bad situation, emotional block |
| Nine of Cups | Greed, excess, materialism, unfulfilled desires, smugness |
| Ten of Cups | Family discord, emotional abuse, broken home, fractured happiness |
| Page of Cups | Emotional immaturity, sensitivity, self-deception, unhealthy fantasy |
| Knight of Cups | Deception, moodiness, unrealistic, emotional overload, broken promises |
| Queen of Cups | Emotional dependency, martyrdom, insecurity, emotional chaos |
| King of Cups | Emotional volatility, manipulation, overwhelmed, deceitful, instability |
Suit of Swords (Intellect, Truth, Conflict)
| Card | Reversed Keywords |
| Ace of Swords | Confusion, mental block, misuse of power, chaotic thoughts, destruction |
| Two of Swords | Indecision, information overload, emotional block, lying, release of deadlock |
| Three of Swords | Reconciliation, emotional recovery, letting go of pain, minor heartbreak |
| Four of Swords | Lethargy, restlessness, re-entering action, burnout, lack of preparation |
| Five of Swords | Lingering conflict, reconciliation, end of hostility, victim mentality |
| Six of Swords | Stuck in the past, resistance to transition, slow progress, no escape |
| Seven of Swords | Confession, getting caught, guilt, ethical lapse, poor planning |
| Eight of Swords | Inner freedom, releasing restrictions, confusion, self-imprisonment |
| Nine of Swords | Finding help, chronic anxiety, improving situation, minor worries |
| Ten of Swords | Recovery, fear of ruin, prolonged pain, avoiding the inevitable end |
| Page of Swords | Sarcasm, cynicism, scattered focus, careless speech, false information |
| Knight of Swords | Haste, impulsivity, poor direction, aggression, miscommunication |
| Queen of Swords | Bitchiness, bitterness, narrow-minded, cold, cruel, repressed grief |
| King of Swords | Unjust, oppressive, cold intellect, manipulation, power abuse |
Suit of Pentacles (Material, Security, Earthly Matters)
| Card | Reversed Keywords |
| Ace of Pentacles | Lack of opportunity, financial scarcity, poor financial decisions, greed |
| Two of Pentacles | Financial imbalance, disorganization, poor time management, juggling fails |
| Three of Pentacles | Shoddy work, poor quality, lack of teamwork, uninspired, low standards |
| Four of Pentacles | Releasing control, reckless spending, insecurity, letting go of possessions |
| Five of Pentacles | Financial recovery, focusing on poverty, spiritual bankruptcy, new support |
| Six of Pentacles | Debt, uneven giving/taking, charity refusal, stinginess, unfair distribution |
| Seven of Pentacles | Impatience, lack of vision, wasted effort, poor investment, burnout |
| Eight of Pentacles | Perfectionism, procrastination, low quality, unfulfilled ambition |
| Nine of Pentacles | Loss of security, overspending, loneliness, risk, material instability |
| Ten of Pentacles | Family conflict, financial loss, broken tradition, inheritance issues |
| Page of Pentacles | Wasteful, lack of foresight, bad news about money, poor concentration |
| Knight of Pentacles | Laziness, stagnation, inaction, careless, missed opportunity |
| Queen of Pentacles | Neglect, financial dependence, domestic imbalance, insecurity |
| King of Pentacles | Corruption, greed, financial ruin, failure to provide, power abuse |
