The Devil Reversed Tarot Card

The Devil Reversed

Reversed · Major Arcana

liberationbreaking freereclaiming powerdenialhidden addictionshadow integration

The Devil reversed suggests breaking free from bondage, releasing unhealthy attachments, or confronting the shadows that have held you captive.

⬇️Reversed Meaning

The Devil reversed suggests breaking free from bondage, releasing unhealthy attachments, or confronting the shadows that have held you captive.

When The Devil appears inverted, you're either in the process of liberation from destructive patterns, or you're so deeply bound that you've stopped recognizing the chains altogether.

This card can indicate breaking addictions, leaving toxic relationships, releasing limiting beliefs, or finally seeing through illusions that have kept you trapped.

You may be reclaiming your power, choosing growth over comfort, and facing the hard truths about how you've been complicit in your own bondage.

However, The Devil reversed can also suggest denial—being so entangled in unhealthy patterns that you've convinced yourself everything is fine, that you're in control when you're actually controlled.

It can point to hidden addictions, secret behaviors, or shadow aspects you refuse to acknowledge. Are you genuinely freeing yourself or simply pretending your chains don't exist? Are you facing your demons or hiding them more cleverly?

The invitation here is radical honesty: acknowledge where you've been trapped, take responsibility for your role in maintaining those chains, and commit to authentic liberation. Freedom requires facing what you'd rather deny.

Meaning in Different Areas of Life

💗 Love & Relationships

The Devil reversed in love can signal the courage to leave a toxic relationship, breaking codependent patterns, or finally seeing a partner clearly without illusion. You may be reclaiming your independence and refusing to settle for less than you deserve. Alternatively, this card warns of deeper denial—hiding relationship problems or secret behaviors that would destroy trust if revealed. Liberation requires truth.

💼 Career & Work

In career matters, The Devil reversed suggests breaking free from soul-crushing work, refusing to compromise your integrity, or escaping a toxic workplace. You may be finding the courage to pursue meaningful work over mere security. However, it can also indicate hidden unethical behavior, denial about how your work affects others, or addictive workaholism disguised as dedication. True career freedom aligns work with values.

💰 Money & Finances

Financially, The Devil reversed points to breaking free from debt cycles, releasing attachment to material status, or changing your relationship with money from fear to empowerment. You may be simplifying your life and discovering wealth isn't about accumulation. Conversely, this card can warn of hidden financial problems, secret spending, or gambling issues kept from loved ones. Financial freedom begins with financial honesty.

Spirituality & Growth

Spiritually, The Devil reversed represents powerful shadow integration—facing your demons and transforming them into allies. You may be doing deep healing work, breaking free from spiritual materialism, or releasing limiting beliefs about your worthiness. This is the reclamation of parts you'd disowned. However, beware spiritual bypassing or using enlightenment concepts to avoid necessary shadow work. Liberation isn't escaping darkness but integrating it.

🪞Questions to Reflect On

  • Am I genuinely breaking free, or am I hiding my chains more cleverly?
  • What truth about myself or my situation am I still avoiding?
  • How have I been complicit in my own bondage, and what changes am I actually making?
  • What would authentic liberation look like, and am I willing to pay its price?

⬆️Upright vs Reversed

Upright

The Devil represents bondage, temptation, and the chains we forge through unconscious patterns, addiction, and material attachment.

Reversed

The Devil reversed suggests breaking free from bondage, releasing unhealthy attachments, or confronting the shadows that have held you captive.

Read full upright interpretation →


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