Imagery: A horned figure presides over two chained individuals, symbolizing bondage and illusion.
General Themes: The shadow self, attachment, illusion, temptation, restriction.
The Devil Upright
Confession: I love the Devil. Everyone blames him for their sins—that old ‘devil made me do it’ line comes in handy when faced with the consequences of one’s actions—but really, Lucifer Morningstar will always be the light bringer in my readings. Sometimes the truth hurts, and the things the Devil casts a light on aren’t pretty. But he asks us to face them anyway. It’s the only way to work through what we need to.
This card, like Death, can feel scary because it asks you to face your shadow side and examine how you contribute to your present pain. How are you self-sabotaging? What unhealed wounds keep you in chains? Once you honestly answer those questions, you can integrate your shadow. This includes releasing old narratives about yourself. Don’t stay stuck in an old story just because it’s familiar. Look at the figures wrapped in chains. The chains are actually loose—they can leave at any time! So there’s something in your situation that is built on illusion or addiction. Once you break the cycle, you can free yourself from self-imposed bondage.
Sometimes the Devil wants you to loosen up and have some fun. If you’ve been feeling a little too virtuous and chaste, it’s time to reclaim your power by nourishing your wild side.
The Devil Reversed
Congratulations! You’ve freed yourself from your inner demons. You’ve befriended the monster under the bed and integrated your shadow. This puts you in the perfect position to take your power back.
Don’t let self-doubt keep you chained to old ways of being now that you are free. You might feel tempted to return to your old way of life because it’s familiar and comfortable. Don’t! Cast off those chains for good. There’s an incredible sense of agency that comes from confronting your darkness and finding yourself on the other side of the things that used to hold you back. You can face anything once you’ve done that.
See what I mean? The Devil is the light bringer—he’ll help, if you’re willing to go through hell to get to it.
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