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The Devil Tarot Card Meaning
The Devil Tarot card meaning – The Devil is the 15th (XV) card of the Major Arcana and represents ambition, dependency, limitations, obsession, passion, and temptation.
The name of this card is both misleading and entirely appropriate. The Devil card, along with Death, is one of the most misunderstood cards in the Tarot deck. It is misleading in that it does not symbolize a literal evil being that tempts humans to sin. However, it is all about our inner shadows and our primal power that lies within – it is our lower excesses, fears, and passions.
The term “devil” can apply to the ‘little devil’ on our shoulders that gives us excuses or permission to commit unhealthy acts. It can also represent the unstoppable passion of the human heart. Also, angels are often seen as the opposite of demons. This dichotomy can be seen in the Tarot as Temperance and The Devil – the angel of moderation and virtue versus the demon of excess and temptation.
To many occultists, The Devil card is associated with the deepest, darkest depths of the human psyche as well as the primal creative power within us all. The Devil is the raw, instinctual nature that drives us to eat, drink, sleep, reproduce, and enjoy the pleasures of life. It can represent the wild passions of the heart that, when taken to excess, can lead to addictions, crises, nymphomania, and irrational fears that restrict the quality of life.
Some questions The Devil card invites you to ponder…
- What addictions have you experienced in life? How did you overcome them? If you haven’t overcome them yet, how would you do so?
- What aspects of yourself have you repressed or hidden? Why? How would it feel to bring these aspects out into the open?
- What form do your darkest personality traits take? How does this affect your life?
- What form can ‘chains’ take in your life? How do you break them?
In this post, we’ll be going over the Devil’s Upright and Reversed meanings, as well as The Devil as a person (or significator) and The Devil as feelings. Sometimes awareness of a card’s place in the Tarot and your intuition can be all that’s needed to interpret its message, however, understanding the traditional meanings of the Upright/Reversed Devil card, as well as its emotional and personal elements, will help equip you with deeper insight and more comprehensive, perceptive readings. Let’s get started!
We have nothing to fear but fear itself.
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
I can resist everything but temptation.
– Oscar Wilde
The Devil Keywords & Concepts
| Upright: | ambition, dependency, excess, limitations, obsession, temptation, passion |
| Reversed: | breaking addictions/cycles, release, personal freedom, sobriety, taking control |
| Energy: | Yin |
| Element: | Earth |
| Planet: | Saturn |
| Zodiac Sign: | Capricorn |
| Yes or No: | No |
Common Symbols
- Devil (primal force within; temptation, darkness)
- Reversed pentagram (descent of spirit into matter)
- Fire (torment, desire, creation, passion)
- Goat/Ram (symbolic of the zodiac sign Capricorn)
- Chains (addictions; burdens; limitations; everything we chain ourselves to whether by choice or necessity)
Don’t have time to read? Check out this helpful video for key meanings of the Devil Tarot card!
The Devil Upright
In the upright position, The Devil tarot card means that you are exploring attachments, addictions, bonds, commitments, temptations, and vices in your life. This card can appear when you’ve made a deep commitment to someone or something – this can be an important business contract, legal agreement, or wedding. Whatever it is, it is binding and will likely be long-lasting; it may be difficult or even painful to break it.
The Devil represents your shadow side and the darker forces that hold you back from reaching your higher potential. It often signifies harmful habits, bonds, addictions, toxic temptations, and unhealthy patterns of behavior or thinking. It can show up when you have found yourself stuck in a self-induced cycle of seeking instant gratification; you could be forfeiting long-term well-being for temporary, short-term pleasures now. The Devil is similar to The Lovers in that you are being presented with a choice between the duality of your higher and lower mind.
When The Devil card appears in a Tarot reading, you are being given the opportunity to bring your shadows to the light of your conscious mind. It is a signal to release yourself from anything and everything that is holding you back. When you consciously acknowledge the negative influences in your life, you can then take the action needed to free yourself from their grip. Because The Devil’s connection with the planet Saturn, it indicates that through hard work, patience, and persistence, you can overcome any constraints and achieve your goals. The Devil is a reminder that you can succeed through sheer ambition, willpower, and strength within you.
Another meaning of The Devil card is the primal and hedonic side of human nature. When you receive this card, you could be exploring your sensual side or perhaps you are indulging in other pleasures (partying, eating rich foods, drinking alcohol, etc). While these experiences can be enriching to engage in, this card is a sign that it may turn into something that can be potentially unsafe or unhealthy for you in the long term, so be sure to choose your partners wisely, determine what you are willing/not willing to do, and set clear boundaries.
The Devil Reversed
The Devil Reversed tarot card means that you are working on bringing your shadows to light. You could be breaking free from toxic cycles, releasing old patterns, and stepping into your personal sense of freedom, control, and sobriety.
The more positive meaning of The Devil Reversed is that you are finally letting go of what has been previously holding you back – you may be emerging from a period of facing your fears, conquering your demons, and severing ties with toxic people in your life. Right now, you could be feeling weightless and limitless as your former burdens release their hold on you. If you’ve recently broken out of an unhappy situation, celebrate your newfound freedom. The Devil Reversed is a sign that you are on the verge of a major upgrade in life!
Alternatively, The Devil Reversed may mean that your old anxieties, fears, bad habits, and external burdens or commitments are continuing to linger or even regain control in your life. You may feel like it’s near impossible to curb an obsession, maintain your composure, or uphold your freedom. This reversal calls on you to gather the courage needed to break the chains that restrict you from living your best life. Negative attachments, coping mechanisms, and limiting beliefs are holding you back and need to be released. If needed, The Devil in Reverse can be an encouragement to seek additional help from loved ones or a professional. This is an opportunity to create positive, lasting changes that will bring personal freedom, growth, and well-being back into your life.
(tarot decks are hyperlinked to each photo throughout this post; we may earn a commission should you purchase a deck.)
The Devil as a Person
The Devil tarot card represents someone who knows how to enjoy life – these people are the life and soul of the party! They can be quite materialistic and dependent upon creature comforts. People who identify with The Devil card often love the luxuries of life and overindulge in everything from partying, to food, to the clothes they wear. They may be a bit greedy, selfish, and stubborn – they aren’t exactly people who enjoy sharing (unless it’s mutually beneficial for them). This card can also come up as someone who is addicted to something, whether it be drugs, social media, shopping, or smoking.
Though this archetype is prone to addiction, excess, and hedonism, there is another side to The Devil that others may not see at first. This card shows someone who is highly intelligent, cunning, and extremely ambitious. Devil people know how to get their way, and when they want something, they’ll stop at nothing to obtain it! They can be obsessive in their passions and personal pursuits. Workaholics and bold, dynamic entrepreneurs or visionaries can be seen with The Devil card.
Also, because of The Devil’s association with the astrological sign of Capricorn, the planet Saturn, and the Earth element, The Devil tarot card can represent a person who has a Capricorn Sun/Moon/Rising, heavy Saturnian influences, or an Earth-dominant birth chart.
The Devil (Reversed) as a Person
The Devil Reversed shows someone who is becoming more self-aware and willing to live a more temperate lifestyle. Like The Devil upright, someone represented by The Devil Reversed may have previously been addicted to something, excessively materialistic, or unhealthily attached to vices that were not serving their highest good. However, the reversal of The Devil suggests they are beginning to let go of such things and moving towards balance and moderation instead of excess and overindulgence.
As a person, The Devil Reversed represents someone that has done the inner work necessary to overcome previous addictions, dependencies, and traumas. This person may have a rather dark past that they have learned to heal and transmute into something meaningful that they can grow from. The Devil Reversed person has an incredible amount of willpower and strength that has allowed them to break negative cycles and patterns in their life.
The Devil as Feelings
As feelings, The Devil tarot card can range from desire and obsession to intimidation and fear. The Devil is an immensely passionate, creative, and driven card, and as feelings, it is no different! This card describes emotions that can be elevated (or depressed) to extremes.
Regarding romance, The Devil in the upright position represents feelings of intense physical attraction, desire, and passion. Sometimes, The Devil can be so consumed with feelings of infatuation that they fail to really acknowledge the deeper, more emotionally intimate details of their partner or relationship – they could be more focused on the physical right now. Magnetic attraction can turn into a stark obsession.
Alternatively, The Devil card can indicate intimidation, fear, or desperation. Someone may be simultaneously charmed by you and highly intimidated. In some cases, The Devil can also show compulsive feelings of wanting to control someone or something.
The Devil (Reversed) as Feelings
The Devil Reversed suggests emotional breakthroughs, catharsis, and clarity. When this reversal pops up as someone’s feelings in a tarot reading, this means they are feeling ready to break free of something that was previously holding them back. They may be purging emotional baggage and/or stepping into a newfound sense of emotional clarity.
While The Devil in the upright position shows someone infatuated and blinded by their feelings, The Devil Reversed shows someone who is becoming more emotionally aware and wise. They feel a greater sense of clarity and understand their emotions better than before. The intense emotions of the upright Devil become more balanced and tame with The Devil in Reverse.
DISCLAIMER:
Sage & Moon is a participant in affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you if you choose to purchase through these links. Any product we choose is based on personal recommendations that we love and trust you will too. By using these links you are directly supporting us to keep writing + creating. Thank you!
