Similar meanings - The Devil and The Devil - Reversed

[Trogon]

So, just as a general study (transferring notes into a new notebook), I was looking at The Devil and it's interpretations. One of the books that I particularly like is "Tarot Reversals" by Mary K. Greer. In her article on The Devil - reversed, she writes;

 

When you believe this energy is not you, and project it on to others, you might see them as false leaders, soul stealers, or troublemakers. You could see this energy manifesting in political figures and their public, dictators and their scapegoats, batterers and their victims, sorcerers and their dupes.

 

The reason I bring this up is because I can't help thinking (and have it in my notes) for similar meanings for the upright card. Seeing The Devil as the "false leader", dictators, corrupt politicians or batterers. I could see the victims of all of these as those chained to the block The Devil sits on, in most cases unable to change their circumstances or blind to what is going on. I am assuming that in this context the "sorcerers and their dupes" are referring to frauds (Ms. Cleo and the "psychic networks" being a famous example).

 

I can see this as both the upright as well as reversed meanings - though in different lights. On the one hand, there is a strong case for The Devil, when upright, to represent such figures as corrupt politicians, dictators and abusive spouses. I feel these fit well in with the most negative connotations of The Devil as having their victims locked into situations where they feel there is no hope and no way out, where the only way out may mean giving up everything they think they have.

 

On the other hand, I can see The Devil - reversed as being the disillusionment of an outside observer who sees the results of the corrupt politician, the people who abuse their power and position for personal gain or simply to control others. Where the observer is not personally involved, but then becomes jaded and feels that all politicians (for example) are corrupt, or at least dishonest.

 

So, what are your thoughts on these aspects of The Devil and The Devil - reversed?

[RavenOfSummer]

Hmm...interesting post Trogon. Because of the types of readings I generally do, the Devil usually comes up for me as my own weaknesses, bad habits, etc that are holding me back. If I was thinking of Devil reversed energy I might see it (depending on context) as I am being presented with an opportunity to break free of those things. With the way Greer is talking about it here...is she saying that when the Devil comes up reversed, you should look at whether you are projecting your own weaknesses onto others? That's kind of what I take from "When you believe this energy is not you, and project it on to others...". Maybe blaming someone else for not being able to build a better society, leave a bad relationship, etc, when in fact you should look at yourself and what is holding you back from an internal perspective. Not sure if that's what she is saying?

[Ix Chel]

In my view the upright meaning of the Devil is always negative, for example a bad person in your life or addiction. If it is reversed it is for my positive, because you can break free. The bad person does not have any influence on you more, and you can break your bad habits like an addiction.

[Bodhiseed]

The Devil for me means the fears that drive me to seek out a way to distract myself from them - obsessions, addictions, etc. Yet when I am caught in those chains, I don't often see them as the prison they are. I still thing my behavior is helping me. Reversed would be coming out of that denial and realizing that I'm hurting rather than helping myself.

[Tarot dance]

Hi all.

Whenever I pull the devil card in a spread I am quick to exam the card(s) around it. Depending on a/the surrounding card(s) the Devil may not be so very negative.

 

This I learned or read in my limited studies of books/authors such  as Gail Gairfield, Pamela Eakins, Ph.D. & Joyce Eakins M.F.A. as well as James Wanless, Ph.D.

 

This is from the website of Dr. Wanless….

 

“My great Dutch friend, Marcel Zwart, who first invited me to come work in Holland 12 years ago, asked me to present the Devil’s Play card as a workshop theme here this time. Exciting! So, I divided the afternoon workshop into two halves: the first part was the “good devil” and the second part was the “bad devil.” The bad devil is actually “good” for us because this archetype represents the conditions (growth material) that hold us back and that we must go through to become fully whole.

 

1.) ALIVENESS

 

The word, “devil,” spelled backwards is “lived.” To live — to be truly alive and enlivened are re-enlivened — use the devil as insight and inspiration.”

 

There is more info on his website I think is worth a hope over a nd a quick read…

 

Devil's Play Reading

 

So I personally do not see the devil card as so much as negative but more of a weathervane as to what you the querent may be going through or experiencing in your life at that moment. I don’t do predictions…I work with the energies of the moment…what is going on with you…in your life right now…

 

[EmpyreanKnight]

I agree with you on your interp of the upright Devil, Trogon.

 

But I see disappoint, disillusionment and despair as being under the purview of the reversed Star. I do see where you're coming from, it's just a matter of what resonates better with each of us, I guess.