In the upright position, The Magician card stands for willpower, skill, and opportunity. When it’s upright, it’s a powerful card that makes you feel in control of your future. It stands for the strength and ability to make things happen in your life and will help you see that you have the skills necessary as long as you apply yourself.
When The Magician is reversed, it can stand for untapped potential or a lack of progress. You know what you want, but you don’t know how to make it happen. This card can also indicate that you’re doubting yourself or don’t feel ready to take on new challenges. You may have many talents, but you’re unsure how to harness or apply them.
In its worst interpretation, the reversed Magician card can stand for trickery and manipulation. Are you being manipulative to get what you want? Is someone else manipulating you and standing in your way? The reversed Magician card can prompt you to consider the motives behind your own actions and the actions of others.
Reading this reversed card using the “blocked/restricted” meaning
Let’s get into the different ways you can read the reversed Magician card. First, there’s the very popular “blocked/restricted” method. This means something is blocking the upright meaning of the card. In The Magician’s case, you’re looking for something standing in the way of your goals or dreams.
There are many things that can make it hard to realize your potential and make your dreams a reality. Sometimes we’re not prepared, or maybe we’re afraid or don’t feel supported by the people in our life. Using the “blocked/restricted” meaning, the reversed Magician card can help you explore what is standing in your way.
For example, say you pull the reversed Magician card when thinking about your personal growth and development. Sometimes we want to change our lives in positive ways, but it’s difficult. We might want to exercise more or nurture our hobbies such as reading or making art. This card encourages you to ook at what’s keeping you from pursuing that goal. Maybe you feel unmotivated because you’re caught up in work, or maybe you’re too busy taking care of other people to take care of yourself.
Whatever the reason, exploring the blocks in your life can help you understand how to seize your opportunities.
Reading this reversed card using the “opposite” meaning
You can also read your reversed Magician card using the “opposite” approach. Since The Magician stands for opportunity and your ability to make things happen in your life, the “opposite” reversed card meaning stands for a lack of opportunity. Here, you might feel you can’t pursue your goals. Maybe you don’t have the skills or information you need to move forward. Maybe you need to build a stronger network. The reversed Magician card will help you explore why there is no opportunity in front of you.
Say you pull the reversed Magician card when thinking about your career. You can explore why you feel like there is no potential for growth. Is there something that is making you feel stuck? Is your current position not stimulating and you’re in a rut? Do you feel unsupported by your colleagues? Remember, tarot cards are a great way to express your creativity and explore your subconscious. Pulling the reversed Magician card when thinking about your career can help you explore why you’re not making progress in the workplace.
Reading this reversed card using the “worse” meaning
You can also read your reversed Magician card using the “worse” reversed card meaning. When you read your cards this way, you use the upright meaning of the card and put it in a negative light. In The Magician’s case, this means that there is an opportunity in your life, but it isn’t the best option right now. There may be an opportunity present, but that doesn’t mean you should follow it.
For example, say you pull the reversed Magician card when you’re thinking about pursuing a new hobby in your life. Here, while this opportunity is present and you can pursue it, that doesn’t mean you should. Think about it a bit more or plan further. Perhaps the new hobby is going to cost a lot of money, or maybe you’ll need to devote too much time to it. Or maybe this is a hobby that you feel you “should” do, even though it doesn’t really interest you. This can take away from other things you need to focus on. Sometimes it’s hard to be honest with ourselves about our priorities, but using tarot cards to explore your subconscious can help you see things clearly.
Reading this reversed card using the “no/not” meaning
When you read your reversed cards using the “no/not” reversed card meaning, you put a “no/not” before the upright meaning of the card. So, for The Magician, this means no opportunity or no potential. While there is something in your life that you’re hoping could turn into an opportunity, you need to be honest with yourself. Sometimes you need to explore why there is no potential and work on understanding yourself and your desires.
Say you pull the reversed Magician card when thinking about your romantic life. Sometimes we want to pursue a relationship because we’re very attracted to someone, but that doesn’t mean there’s a good opportunity there. Maybe you two have different interests and not very much in common. Maybe the timing isn’t right for the other person.. Just because someone seems perfect for you doesn’t mean you should move forward with them. Using the “no/not” reversed card meaning can help you decide where the real potential is in your life.