There is hardly a mythological or religious figure that has influenced the human mind, culture, art, and religion as significantly as the Devil. He’s not just an enemy of God and everything good; he’s a concept present in almost every religion. Some fear him, others worship him, and many don’t believe he exists; ultimately, no one is completely indifferent towards him.
The Devil has also found his way into the world of tarot and has his own Major Arcana card. Now, should you be concerned if you see this card in your tarot spread? Well, not necessarily, but consider it as a warning and an important message. So, let us show you what you need to know about this card!
The Devil Keywords
Upright card (keywords)
Bondage, Enslavement, Fear, Feeling trapped, Materialism, Temptation, Unhealthy relationships
Reversed card (keywords)
Breaking from addictions, Divorce, Freedom from restraints
The Devil Tarot Card Description
In the Rider-Waite tarot deck, the Devil is depicted in his well-known satyr form. This means he is half-goat and half-man, with large horns and goat ears on top of his head. There is a pentagram between these horns, and his back is adorned with enormous wings.
The Devil is holding a lit torch upside-down in his left hand, and his right hand is raised in a Vulcan salute. By his feet, two naked demons are standing, chained to the post on top of which the Devil is standing (or crouching). One demon is male, and the other is female. The male demon has a fiery tail, while the female has a tail resembling grapes or similar fruits.
With such imagery, it is obvious that this card symbolizes the material world and our desires. We will further analyze the symbolism and meaning behind this card, so keep reading.
The Devil Upright Meaning
This is one of the rare cards where the upright position is more negative than the reversed position. Overall, this card symbolizes the darker aspects of human nature. The upright Devil card represents your dark side, shadow self, and primal desires. You are fighting your inner demons, and right now, they seem to have the upper hand.
There could be some negative influences in your life without you even being aware of them. It is also an omen of bad luck coming your way. You are entrapped and enslaved by your material desires, temptations, toxic relationships, self-imposed limitations, and unhealthy habits.
In the health context, the Devil card represents mental health issues and even drug addiction.
Love Meaning
In a love tarot reading, the Devil card symbolizes lust and temptation. You are unable to resist these urges, even when they get you in trouble. If you aren’t careful enough, you might end up in a series of unhealthy relationships with someone abusive and unfaithful—or you could become that person yourself. In either case, this card tells you to reflect on your actions and avoid toxic behavior patterns in the future if you want to find true and healthy love.
Career Meaning
Your current situation at work isn’t great. While you have dreams and ambitions, you lack the drive to achieve them. It’s like you’re waiting for success to happen to you, but this isn’t a realistic approach. Success doesn’t happen on its own—you need to work for it and give it all you’ve got.
Finances Meaning
Since the Devil is the card that represents the material world, it has a significant meaning regarding your finances. This will sound like a paradox, but you are too focused on the material things that you are neglecting to secure financial stability.
You are probably spending too much on luxury items such as designer bags, high-end makeup, or expensive cars. While there is nothing wrong with wanting these things, ask yourself if you can really afford them. No matter how much you think you want certain items, you will tire of them faster than you might think—it’s simply a part of human nature.
So, instead of buying expensive things you will grow bored of, why don’t you save or invest your money?
The Devil Reversed Card Meaning
When it’s reversed, the general meaning of the Devil card is positive—undoubtedly more positive than the meaning of the upright Devil card. It is the card of good fortune, your true self, and true freedom. You have managed to break the bonds holding you back and doing you no good.
Sometimes, the only way to take control of our own lives is to let go of certain relationships, habits, and behavior patterns. Remember, no matter how hopeless things seem, it is never too late for a new start. The reversed meaning of the Devil card tells you to keep fighting and persevering.
Love Meaning
You didn’t have much luck in love for a long time—you were either desperately alone or in a relationship but unhappy. Finally, you are starting a happier season of your life. You will either establish a meaningful connection with someone, which could grow into a beautiful relationship, or you and your partner will finally manage to overcome your issues.
Career Meaning
In a career-related reading, the reversed Devil card is slightly better than its upright version, but you still need to make some necessary changes to your approach and behavior in this area of your life. First, you need to take more accountability for your actions, especially when you make mistakes.
As a result, you will also feel more empowered at work. Nothing can stop you when you show you can admit to and easily fix your mistakes. You will finally break free from the self-esteem issues and doubts.
Finances Meaning
You aren’t obsessed with material possessions but could still cut back on your spending. Doing this will help you stay debt-free, or if you are already in debt, you can pay it off faster. Of course, this doesn’t mean you are not allowed to spoil yourself occasionally, but you shouldn’t do it too often.
The Devil Tarot Card Combinations
We have already established that the meanings of tarot don’t exist in a vacuum, and the meanings of different cards from the same tarot spread will interact with and influence each other. Certain card combinations are particularly interesting, so let’s take a closer look at the Devil card combinations below.
The Devil and the Wheel of Fortune
Material wealth is fickle—today, you have everything, but you could lose it all tomorrow. That’s the exact message behind the combination of the Devil and the Wheel of Fortune cards. While the Devil represents the material, the Wheel of Fortune is a card of constant change.
The Devil and the High Priestess
Sometimes, the most challenging part of breaking bad habits is recognizing that you have them. This is easier said than done because we are often blind to such things. The High Priestess card represents intuition and inner knowledge, which will help you recognize destructive patterns and negative influences in your life, as the Devil card represents.
The Devil and the Lovers Card
If you get this card combination in your tarot spread, it might be a message that you are in an unhealthy relationship. Because of the Lovers card, that relationship is probably romantic, but it doesn’t have to be—you may have a toxic relationship with one of your friends or family members. The Devil card urges you to identify that relationship and either heal or break it.
The Devil and the Four of Pentacles
Like all other Minor Arcana cards from the Pentacles suit, the Four of Pentacles represents material wealth. It is a card that shows you are holding too tightly to your material possessions, while the Devil card tells you that it’s not healthy. While material possessions can make your life more comfortable, they shouldn’t be your reason to live.
The Devil Card and Its Astrological Sign
The Devil card is often associated with Capricorn and its ruling planet, Saturn. This zodiac sign is known for its focus, ambition, and discipline. However, Capricorns can also get too attached to money and other types of material wealth, which is one of the most important messages of the Devil card.
Conclusion
Even though it might look intimidating, the Devil card is the card of the human experience. We are all driven by our desires, ambitions, and impulses. However, we can’t allow them to dominate us, especially if they make us do some questionable things. So, use the Devil card as a message that you need to separate yourself from your unhealthy habits, relationships, and obsessions, and you will experience true freedom for the first time in your life.
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