Understanding The Devil Reversed
The reversed Devil represents breaking free from bondage, overcoming addictions, or finally recognizing that you have more freedom than you realized. This card indicates liberation from limiting patterns, toxic relationships, or self-imposed restrictions. You're beginning to see through illusions that have kept you trapped and are ready to make different choices. The reversed Devil can represent recovery from addiction, leaving unhealthy situations, or overcoming fears that have controlled your life. This card suggests that you're reclaiming your power and taking responsibility for creating positive change in your life. When reversed, the The Shadow energy turns inward or becomes blocked, often manifesting as the shadow side of this archetype.
Understanding The Devil Reversed
The reversed Devil represents breaking free from bondage, overcoming addictions, or finally recognizing that you have more freedom than you realized. This card indicates liberation from limiting patterns, toxic relationships, or self-imposed restrictions. You're beginning to see through illusions that have kept you trapped and are ready to make different choices. The reversed Devil can represent recovery from addiction, leaving unhealthy situations, or overcoming fears that have controlled your life. This card suggests that you're reclaiming your power and taking responsibility for creating positive change in your life. When reversed, the card's symbols take on different meanings: The horned devil figure, which normally represents the shadow self and lower nature given form, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you. The inverted pentagram, which normally represents spirit trapped in matter, materialism over spirituality, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you. The bat wings, which normally represents false power and the illusion of freedom in darkness, now suggests this energy is blocked, hidden, or working against you.
Shadow Aspects
The shadow side of The Shadow emerges when The Devil appears reversed. Instead of trust the card's message, you may find yourself blocked, resistant, or expressing this energy in unhealthy ways. Key shadow themes include: liberation, freedom, breaking chains, overcoming addiction. Stability becomes rigidity, practicality turns to materialism, security becomes fear.
Working With This Energy
The Devil reversed is not a "bad" card - it's an invitation to look inward and address what's blocked. Ask yourself: What patterns or addictions am I ready to break free from? Consider what aspects of bondage you may be resisting or avoiding. The card's guidance, when reversed, suggests examining where you're not following this wisdom: Recognize that most limitations are self-imposed illusions. You have more freedom and choice than you realize.
Life Areas Affected
In love: Breaking free from toxic relationships, overcoming codependency, or healing love patterns. In career: Leaving unfulfilling work, overcoming work addiction, or reclaiming professional values. In finances: Breaking free from debt, overcoming money obsession, or developing healthy financial habits. In health: Overcoming health addictions, breaking destructive habits, or reclaiming physical freedom. In spirituality: Spiritual liberation, shadow integration, or breaking free from false spiritual teachings.
Reversed Meanings by Life Area
Love Reversed
In love, the reversed Devil represents breaking free from toxic relationships, overcoming codependency, or healing unhealthy patterns in love. This card indicates that you're recognizing your worth and refusing to accept less than you deserve in relationships. You may be leaving a harmful relationship, overcoming sexual addiction, or healing from relationship trauma. The reversed Devil can represent choosing healthy love over familiar but destructive patterns, or finally seeing through manipulative behavior in relationships. This card suggests that you're developing the strength to choose love based on genuine connection rather than fear, dependency, or compulsion.
Career Reversed
Professionally, the reversed Devil represents leaving unfulfilling work, overcoming work addiction, or reclaiming your professional values and integrity. This card indicates that you're no longer willing to sacrifice your wellbeing, values, or authentic self for a job. You may be leaving a toxic work environment, starting your own business, or finding work that aligns with your deeper purpose. The reversed Devil can represent recovering from burnout, establishing better work-life boundaries, or choosing meaningful work over just financial security. This card suggests that you're reclaiming your professional power and making choices that support your overall wellbeing and growth.
Finances Reversed
The reversed Devil in financial matters represents breaking free from debt, overcoming money obsession, or developing healthier relationships with material resources. This card indicates that you're taking control of your financial situation, perhaps paying off debts, avoiding financial temptations, or choosing financial security over immediate gratification. The reversed Devil can represent overcoming gambling problems, shopping addictions, or other financial compulsions. This card suggests that you're learning to value experiences and relationships over material possessions, or finding ways to generate income that align with your values rather than just pursuing money for its own sake.
Health Reversed
The reversed Devil in health matters represents overcoming addictions, breaking destructive health habits, or reclaiming your physical freedom and vitality. This card indicates recovery from substance abuse, eating disorders, or other compulsive behaviors that have harmed your health. You may be finally taking responsibility for your wellbeing, seeking treatment for health problems, or choosing healthy lifestyle changes. The reversed Devil can represent breaking free from the mental limitations of chronic illness, finding new treatments that work, or discovering that you have more control over your health than you previously believed. This card suggests a return to body wisdom and self-care.
Esoteric Correspondences
Understanding The Devil's deeper symbolism enriches your reversed interpretation.
Golden Dawn Title
Le Diable
Il Diavolo
Element
earth
Planet
Saturn
Zodiac Sign
Capricorn
Dates
December 22 - January 19
Hebrew Letter
ע (Ayin)
Eye, perception, experience
Tree of Life
Path 26
Tiphareth to Hod (Beauty to Splendor)
Explore The Devil in Other Contexts
The Devil Reversed FAQs
Common questions answered
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