The Devil Tarot Card Meaning
Upright Keywords
- Control
- Obsession
- Comfort
Reversed Keywords
- Addiction
- Stockholm Syndrome
- Oppression
The Devil shows up when something has you hooked. Maybe it’s an addictive habit, toxic relationship or belief that feels comfortable but keeps you stuck. You think those chains are locked, but you're the one keeping them on. Recognise the hold, reclaim your power and free yourself.
The Devil Imagery and Symbolism
Pamela Colman Smith’s illustration in the Rider-Waite deck shows The Devil perched on a black pedestal, horned and winged, with an inverted pentagram. A man and woman stand below, loosely chained, hinting that the bondage is voluntary and rooted in illusion.
In the Rider-Waite deck The Devil sits on a dark pedestal, horned and winged, with an inverted pentagram above his head. A naked man and woman stand below, loosely chained to the block. Though they appear trapped, their collars could easily be lifted, suggesting the bondage is voluntary.
The creature holds a burning torch and presides over a black background, emphasising fear and illusion. The man sports a fiery tail and the woman a vine, hinting at how passion and indulgence can entangle us. This scene mirrors The Lovers card but here the union has become attachment and entrapment.
I don’t read this image as a warning of external evil but as a mirror for your inner world. The Devil reveals where you’re giving away power — to substances, relationships or stories about yourself. It reminds you that liberation starts by seeing the chains for what they are and choosing to remove them.
The Devil Tarot Card Meaning Upright
Control
The Devil’s control speaks to the ways we give our power away. You might feel trapped by a job, relationship or habit that dictates your actions. This keyword invites you to notice who or what you’re letting steer your life and to reclaim your sovereignty.
Obsession
Obsession isn’t just passion; it’s when desire turns into fixation. The Devil highlights where you’re consumed by cravings or driven by something at the expense of balance. Explore what you’re obsessing over and whether it feeds you or drains you. Healthy focus feels expansive, not suffocating.
Comfort
Sometimes we stay in uncomfortable situations because they’re familiar. The Devil’s comfort keyword reminds you that the known can feel safe even when it hurts. Ask yourself if you’ve mistaken comfort for security. Growth often means stepping into the unknown and letting go of false safety.
The Devil Upright in Love and Relationships Readings
In love, the Devil points to intense attraction or co-dependency. You could be drawn to someone who mirrors your shadow or feeds your addictions. Ask yourself whether desire is mutual or if you’re losing yourself. Freedom comes when you recognise unhealthy patterns and choose love that supports your growth.
The Devil Upright in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
An upright Devil card demands honest self care. Name and release the habits and people that own you. Clear out your space, call a mate or therapist and set boundaries. Naming your personal devil is how you take back your power and get free.
The Devil Upright in Career and Creativity Readings
When the Devil appears in your career reading, it warns that ambition and material success may be driving you more than joy. You might be chained to your job or addicted to recognition. Take a breath, remember why you started, and choose to work on your own terms.
The Devil Upright in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
In shadow work, the Devil asks you to explore what binds you and why. It may feel like you’re split between desires, trapped by expectations or trapped in a cycle you didn’t choose. Sit with your shadow, name the chains and decide whether they still serve you. Awareness is liberation.
The Devil Tarot Card Meaning Reversed
Addiction
Addiction speaks to the binds we put on ourselves. This isn’t just about substances; it’s any behaviour you lean on to avoid feeling what hurts. The Devil reversed invites you to recognise where you’re dependent and to seek support so you can heal and reclaim your agency.
Stockholm Syndrome
Stockholm syndrome symbolises the strange loyalty we develop to what harms us. You may defend a relationship, job or belief that keeps you small because it feels familiar. Reversed, the Devil asks you to question that loyalty and choose freedom, even if it feels unsettling at first.
Oppression
Oppression points to pressures, expectations or systems that keep you down. Reversed, the Devil suggests you’re waking up to how external forces and internal fears suppress your growth. Notice where you’ve been pushed or silenced and consider how you can reclaim your voice and create space to breathe.
The Devil Reversed in Love and Relationships Readings
Reversed, the Devil signals a chance to break free from toxic patterns in relationships. Maybe you’ve been clinging to a partner out of fear or craving excitement that keeps you off balance. It’s time to set boundaries, reclaim your independence and invite connections based on trust and respect.
The Devil Reversed in Self-Care and Empowerment Readings
When The Devil appears reversed, your self care is about letting go of shame. Whatever you cling to for comfort isn’t who you are; it’s a coping habit. Offer yourself grace, forgive yourself for slipping back and make one supportive change. You deserve liberation.
The Devil Reversed in Career and Creativity Readings
Reversed, the Devil suggests you're ready to loosen your grip on work and let go of unhealthy attachments. Maybe you’ve been overworking, stuck in a toxic job or obsessed with status. Now’s the time to reclaim your creativity and define success in a way that nourishes you.
The Devil Reversed in Life Changes and Shadow Work Readings
Reversed, the Devil signals healing through release. You may be ready to cut ties with the roles or dependencies that have defined you. Let go of shame and allow yourself to feel awkward as you learn new ways to be. Growth comes when you allow space for discomfort and trust the process.
The Devil on the Fool’s Journey
The Devil is one of the cards on the Fool’s Journey, a symbolic narrative in tarot that explores the archetypes and experiences shaping our existence. The Major Arcana represents the grand themes and life-altering moments in the tarot. It’s a 22-card journey that begins with the Fool, symbolising new beginnings and adventure. Each card represents a distinct chapter, exploring the dualities, challenges, and transformations we face throughout our lives.
Understanding the themes in the Major Arcana is crucial for grasping the Fool’s Journey. As you progress through these cards, you will encounter symbols and lessons that resonate with various stages of life, offering insights into personal growth, relationships, and spiritual questions.
The Devil in the Superconscious Realm: Embracing Ultimate Enlightenment
The Devil is part of the Superconscious Realm. This realm represents the culmination of your journey through tarot, where spiritual insights and enlightenment converge. It’s where you integrate the lessons from previous realms and apply them to create a life filled with clarity and purpose. The Superconscious Realm isn’t just the end of your journey; it’s a new beginning. It invites you to live out the wisdom you’ve gained and make a meaningful impact on the world around you, embracing your ultimate potential and stepping into a life of true enlightenment.
The Devil and the Element of Earth
The Devil resonates with the element of Earth, embodying stability, practicality, and the physical realm. Earth calls for groundedness, representing the strength found in patience, dedication, and growth over time. This element reminds us of our roots, our foundations, and the value of nurturing what we wish to cultivate. Earth invites a connection to nature, security, and the tangible aspects of life, encouraging resilience and an appreciation for the present.
The Devil Journalling Prompts
Where am I feeling trapped or restricted, and how can I take steps toward freedom?
What beliefs or habits no longer serve me, and how can I begin releasing them?
How can I approach my shadow self with acceptance, breaking free from self-judgment?
Frequently Asked Questions about The Devil
What does The Devil mean in a tarot reading?
The Devil invites you to examine the chains that bind you. It points to addictions, unhealthy attachments or limiting beliefs that you may be clinging to. Rather than fear, it asks for awareness: recognise what’s keeping you stuck so you can make conscious choices about freedom.
Is The Devil a yes or no card?
The Devil leans toward a no when the question involves repeating unhealthy patterns. It reminds you to look at what you’re attached to before saying yes. If your motives are rooted in fear or addiction, pause. If you’re choosing freedom, the answer shifts toward yes.
What is the role of The Devil in the tarot deck?
Within the Major Arcana, the Devil acts as a mirror to your shadow. It sits halfway through the journey, challenging you to confront what enslaves you. Its role is not to condemn but to illuminate the habits, attachments and fears you must understand to grow.
What does The Devil symbolise?
The Devil symbolises temptation, illusion and bondage. It’s depicted as a horned figure towering over two chained humans, yet their chains are loose. The inverted pentagram and dark wings remind you of primal urges and ego. It represents the seductive pull of materialism and false freedom.
What does The Devil suggest about navigating life’s challenges?
When you face challenges, the Devil suggests looking at what holds you back. Often the hardest obstacles are the ones you cling to by habit. By recognising your part in maintaining the chains, you gain the power to change the story and move through difficulties with conscious choice.
Is The Devil a positive or negative card?
The Devil is challenging, but it’s not purely negative. It points to areas where you’re giving away your power. By bringing those habits into the open, it becomes a catalyst for positive change. Viewed this way, it can be one of the most liberating cards in the deck.
How does The Devil align with themes of personal growth?
The Devil aligns with personal growth by forcing you to confront your own patterns of self-sabotage. It shows where you’re stuck in loops of fear or desire. By choosing to unhook yourself, you reclaim agency and create space for growth and healing.
What are some other names for The Devil?
In other decks or traditions, the Devil goes by names like Pan, The Shadow or The Black Goat. Some call it The Chains or The Tempter. Each title points to the underlying theme of bondage, temptation and the invitation to reclaim power from what binds you.
What other tarot cards often appear with The Devil?
The Devil often pairs with The Lovers when you’re exploring choices between freedom and attachment. It may show up with The Tower when a shake-up forces you to break the chains, or with the Eight of Swords when you’re trapped by thought patterns and need liberation.
How can The Devil guide me in breaking free from unhealthy attachments?
Use the Devil as a spotlight. Ask yourself what you’re clinging to and why, whether it’s a substance, relationship or identity. Name the fear beneath the attachment. Commit to one small act of liberation, like setting a boundary or seeking help. Step by step, you reclaim yourself.
