Upright and Reversed Positions

“The Eskimo has 52 names for snow because it is important to them; there
ought to be as many for love” Margaret Atwood, Surfacing

Synthesizing Positive, Negative or Neutral

In a dualistic world polarity is the yin and yang opposition or contrast present in any definition. It is the point and counterpoint which propels the dialectic model of evolving ideas. It is the expansion, followed by the contraction, the process which eventually leads us to a new equilibrium of idea or understanding. Any Card layout presents you with a subtle message about which aspect of polarity is present.

Your task is to identify which aspect the Illuminated or positive pole or the Shadow or negative pole may be pervading the subtext of a reading. Chosen Spreads will likely have a combination of both Illuminated and Shadow sides. Note what percentage of each polarity appears: 50%-50%, 30%-70%, 80%-20%, etc. The percentage offers a gauge of how much, or how fast or slow, to proceed. When a majority of cards are in the Illuminated position the reading signals a movement forward or beyond, an expansion, adding to, an opening of ranks, use of newer methods, or seeking new options. Cards clustering in the negative, or
Shadow position, convey a general state of contraction, subtraction, a move back or inward, a closing of ranks, a use of known or conventional alternatives, or the narrowing or discarding of options. It may imply do-not-act on plans you’ve had.

Neutral: the Mirrored Card Headings

The neutral, or equilibrium, point lies at the center between the poles is the core
precept of the card and is the mirrored word in the middle. Notice that the appearance of each has slight variation. In the upright position, the word is in white text with a black stroke around it. This implies that a person in the Illuminated pole is authentic but does not automatically share everything; yet has as his/her center exists a state of calm self-knowledge. In the reversed position, the word is in black text bordered with a stroke of white which signifies the Shadow side. When a fears revealing their authentic Self they strategically project a positive appearing or sounding, but still, constructed persona. Historically the OMT has called this
the “false personality.” The Shadow side believes it must conceal or withhold its suspicions, judgments, and vulnerabilities within, in order to feel safe or perceive itself in control. Be mindful if you project a good or bad connotation upon the positive or negative poles. There is no moral wrongness in doing so, yet noticing why you default to such labeling can reveal your context about such circumstances, and discover interpretations based in fear.

Positive Poles or Illuminated Side—the Upright Position

“And of all illumination which human reason can give, none is comparable to
the discovery of what we are, our nature, our obligations, what happiness we
are capable of, and what are the means of attaining it.” Adam Weishaupt

The positive poles implies that you are acting from a loving, Essence-aware and respect-driven state of being. This light side imbues you with the desire to serve others and be truthful with the Self. Motivations from this place do not imply that you act in some holier-than-thou, pious, or Pollyanna manner, either. Working from Essence does not guarantee that you will be virtuous or victorious in your endeavors. All that is assured from this ground of being is a state of authentic awareness in which you honestly communicate with Self about your actual motives and genuine emotional reactions.

The Pole’s Qualities: Possible Interpretations. Ask about these meanings for  you.

Poles are not dualities of either bad or good. They are nuanced qualitative variations.
Illuminated Pole = Love-Abundant
Shadow Pole = Fear-Scarcity-Lack

Illuminated Pole

= Love-Abundant – Essence Directed (Infinite) Asserts core principles and values.
Sentiment Motto: I think, therefore I am.

• Curious, Open, Evolutionary
• Authentic (True Personality)
• True (for you)
• Add too
• Itself – as is
• Present time
• Realize and Assess Benefits
• Take the Risk
• Unconventional
• Go outward
• Realistic
• Expand, Advance, or Proceed
• Wait
• Not Evil
• Open ranks and allow in
• True Agenda
• Faith, Trust, Confidence
• Going forward or on track
• Needs Freedom, asserts power
• Try new methods
• New options available
• Visible, transparent, clear
• Direct: diplomatic or blunt
• Engage: Stand & Communicate
• Detection/Direction (You are
  correct in your assessment. You are
  using “good” judgment.)
• Conscious Incompetence moves to Conscious Competence

Shadow Pole

= Fear-Scarcity-Lack – Ego Dominated (Finite) Defends against an imagined threat.
Sentiment Motto: I believe, therefore I’m right.

• Vigilant, Defended, Survival
• Contrived (False Personality)
• False (to you, often knowingly)
• Subtract from
• Opposite – not what it seems
• Past or Future, not present
• Name and Evaluate Costs
• Considered and thoughtful • Naïve or oversimplified
• Be Cautious
• Conventional
• Go inward (tells you where)
• Exaggerated – Over/Underrated
• Contract, Retreat or Return
• Do it now
• Not Virtuous
• Close ranks and keep out
• False Front or Hidden Agenda
• Piety, False Civility, Suspicion
• Going backward, wrong way
• Needs security, controlling
• Use known methods
• Viewing only limited options
• Invisible, opaque, not clear
• Indirect: subterfuge or lie
• React: Fight, Flight or Freeze
• Projection/Transference (Emerging from you onto the other person. Prejudice/bias.)
• Automatic habit of 2nd nature, or Unconscious Competence

You will notice that the “Reversed Pole or Shadow Side is merely contracted, not bad. It is not always “negative’ in the simplistic binary of the child’s mind. It may very well signal a warranted and necessary caution and restraint.