The Devil is one of the Major Arcana Tarot cards and it draws attention towards that shadow self. This is the darker side of our nature and also the negative thoughts and habits that we allow to control our lives. It reminds us that everyone has these negative elements, and that they can teach us to be a better person if we don’t hide from them.
Upright Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief
In the upright position, The Devil suggests that negative thoughts, unhealthy habits, and codependent relationships are taking us to a negative place. We are actively contributing to our current challenging circumstances through our choices and attitudes. It is necessary to break negative cycles to make positive change.
Reversed Tarot Card Meanings – In Brief
In the reversed position, The Devil card suggests that you are about to emerge from a challenging time. You have probably been doing the hard work of self-development and you are now emerging into the light. You may be afraid to share your true self with other people, but you have less to fear than you might imagine.
Number – 15
The Devil card is linked with the number 15, which speaks to the things that matter to us in the real world, such as love, family, and financial security. These things matter but can also become obsessions. The number is also linked to our personal power, especially how it interacts with the things that we desire.
Element – Earth
The Devil card is linked with the element of earth, which is a grounding element that helps us see life as it is and take practical steps to get what we want. The card can be a reminder that our roots go deeper than we think, and we may be ignoring important roots because their darker nature scares us in some way.
Planet – Saturn
The planet Saturn rules The Devil card. The ringed planet is linked to tangible rewards and wealth in the real world and our relationship to those things. But Saturn also tends to exert delaying and limiting forces that can hold us back from reaching our full potential.
The Devil – Tarot Card Description
While The Devil card appears differently in different decks, most pull on the symbology represented in the Rider Waite deck.
Standing at the center of the card is Baphomet, also known as the horned goat of Mendes. He is actually half man and half goat and represents the duality of all things: good and evil, man and woman, human and animal. He has the wings of a vampire bat, an animal which sucks the lifeblood out of other animals. It is a reminder that there are many human practices that have the same draining effect.
A man and a woman stand at the base of the podium on which Baphomet sits, naked and chained. But they are not there against their will, but rather of their own choosing. The two have small horns that have started to grow as they become more like the energy that they choose to absorb.
Read more about the horned god Cernunnos.
The Devil – Upright Tarot Card Meaning
When The Devil appears upright in a Tarot reading it suggests that there are things in your life that are holding you back. These could be negative habits, negative self-talk, and fears that keep you stuck in situations that generate negative energy.
The eyes of Baphomet on the card are hypnotic and can hold a person in place. There are many habits that have the same impact. You may think that you are in control of your life, but in reality, these things are controlling you.
As well as attachment to habits and addictions, The Devil can point towards powerful attachments between two people. These are not always negative, but the card can be a warning that attachment is morphing into dependency.
The two sides of The Devil are a reminder that actions have consequences. The appearance of the card can suggest that you are making poor decisions, probably trading long-term benefit for short-term gratification.
What to do?
When The Devil card appears upright in a Tarot reading, it is time to look at the things that are bringing negativity into your life. If you want to move forward, you will need to find ways to remove these things from your life and let go of what no longer serves you. The best way to do this is to look at the darker sides of yourself directly and be honest with yourself.
The Devil – Reversed Tarot Card Meaning
When The Devil card often appears reversed in a Tarot reading when you are emerging from a difficult and challenging time. It suggests that while you have been struggling, you are finally at the point of emerging onto a new and lighter path.
The card can encourage you to accept the new version of yourself that is emerging and not get hung up on the idea of who you used to be.
When The Devil is reversed, it can also suggest that you are hiding parts of yourself from the outside world. This is not unusual, but it can block you from forming meaningful relationships. The card can suggest that now is the time to open up and share your deeper self with the people closest to you.
What to do?
When The Devil card appears reversed in a Tarot reading, it can be a sign that you are emerging from a dark period of your life and that you will soon embrace a new peace. You may struggle to accept this new version of yourself, and even more to share it with others. But embracing who you truly are can only bring you peace and benefit.
The Devil in Relation to Other Tarot Cards
When delving into The Devil card in relation to other cards in the Tarot deck, its presence starkly highlights themes of bondage, materialism, and the shadow aspects of the self. Symbolizing the chains of physical or psychological attachments that restrict personal growth, The Devil embodies the concept of being trapped by one’s own choices or desires, urging the querent to recognize and confront their own limitations and dependencies. This card invites the querent to examine the nature of their bonds, to challenge the illusions of powerlessness, and to seek liberation through awareness and the reclaiming of personal power.
Relationship with the Major Arcana
Within the transformative journey of the Major Arcana, The Devil serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of surrendering control to external forces or internal urges. Its interactions with other Major Arcana cards can reveal insights into the struggle for freedom and the importance of self-awareness:
– The Devil and The Lovers: This pairing contrasts the choice and commitment represented by The Lovers with the compulsions and dependencies signified by The Devil. While The Lovers emphasize mutual respect and conscious choices based on values, The Devil warns against the loss of autonomy to unchecked desires or fears, highlighting the importance of making decisions that honor one’s true self.
– The Devil and The Tower: Together, these cards underscore the theme of liberation from falsehoods and oppressive structures. The Tower’s depiction of sudden upheaval pairs with The Devil’s message of breaking free from self-imposed chains, suggesting that moments of crisis can catalyze the release from limiting beliefs and situations, paving the way for a profound transformation.
– The Devil and The Star: This combination speaks to the hope and healing that follow a period of entrapment. The Star, representing renewal, hope, and spiritual clarity, illuminates the path forward after the introspection and acknowledgment of one’s shadows prompted by The Devil, indicating that liberation brings with it the light of optimism and a deeper connection to one’s essence.
Relationship with the Minor Arcana
The Devil’s connection with the Minor Arcana highlights how themes of restriction, temptation, and material obsession manifest in the querent’s daily experiences and paths to personal growth:
– The Devil and Eight of Swords: This pairing reinforces the feeling of being trapped by one’s own thoughts or circumstances. The Eight of Swords, symbolizing self-imposed limitations and mental bondage, echoes The Devil’s message of examining the roots of one’s imprisonment to find the keys to freedom.
– The Devil and Four of Pentacles: When appearing with the Four of Pentacles, The Devil emphasizes the dangers of greed, materialism, and fear of change. This combination warns against hoarding resources or clinging to security at the cost of spiritual and emotional growth, urging a reassessment of values and attachments.
– The Devil and Seven of Cups: This pairing highlights the illusion and confusion that can lead to enslavement by desires. The Seven of Cups, representing choices and temptations, alongside The Devil, suggests the need for clarity and discernment in distinguishing between true fulfillment and mere seduction by superficial pleasures.
The Devil Tarot Reading
When The Devil appears in a Tarot reading, it is drawing attention to the shadow self. This is the darker side of our thoughts and emotions that many of us deny and try to suppress, but this is rarely healthy.
Everyone has dark thoughts, and they are not a reflection of who we are as a person. How we choose to treat those thoughts is what matters. While we might dislike ourselves for having certain thoughts, they are a reflection of our fears. Learn from your darker side and face your fears.
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