The orientation of the cards in tarot

When you draw the cards upright (number at the top, text at the bottom), the meanings of the arcana are generally positive.  

Conversely, cards drawn reversed (number at the bottom, text upside down) point rather to the blockages, the feelings and negative events of the querent.

While most cards follow this upright = positive / reversed = negative pattern, that is not the case for the Devil. 

Indeed, the Devil card has as its main notion dependencies and addictions. In the upright position, its interpretation is therefore negative.  On the other hand, in the reversed position (number at the bottom), the negative effects of this card are softened. An awareness of these addictions takes hold and the querent starts to adopt a healthier way of life. 

If, in a tarot deck, you draw a card to symbolise the « blockage » or one with a negative leaning, the negative meaning (and not the upright / reversed sense) of the card should automatically be favoured. 

For example, you ask yourself the question: « What is holding me back from finding love ? ». 

You draw the « Devil » card. 

Since the question already speaks of blockages, you must take the negative interpretation of the arcanum, so the card upright: dependencies, ties and addictions may be preventing you from meeting true love and settling down.

You draw the « Star » card, you must take the negative interpretation, which is the card reversed : you feel a great deal of discouragement, you are held back by your despair at finding no one.

As you will have gathered, the way the cards face matters. The reversed position softens or turns negative the initial value of the card. We can compare this effect to the negative of a photograph. The position of the card in the spread and the question asked will also influence the interpretation. Your intuition will help you know which interpretation to take. Trust yourself !