The Devil Tarot Card Meaning

The Devil Keywords

Fear, insecurity, depression, independence, limitations, temptation, bondage, addiction, obligation(s), entrapment, restricted, freedom, control

The Devil Numerology

15

The Devil Astrology Zodiac

Capricorn

The Devil Tarot Suit

Major Arcana

Journal Prompts for The Devil Tarot Card

– What am I doing to self-sabotage and/or how am I limiting myself/my potential in this situation?

– Is someone in my life sabotaging/manipulating/controlling me/my choices/etc?

– What aligned actionable steps can I take to shift, transform, move away from the (above) energy?

The Devil Tarot Card Meaning

A beastly figure, The Devil, depicts the devil itself. The satyr-like being holds one hand in the air, a gesture indicative of a secret society hand-signal. In its other hand, the creature wields a burning torch, its arm lowered and the fire pointed toward the ground. Historically, this figure is also known as Baphomet, a “false” and/or pagan god, rumoured to have been worshipped by the Knights Templar. 

The dark being has bat wings, ram horns and talon feet; and towers over two naked figures, loosely bound in chains below. The bindings indicate that while it may seem as though they are enslaved to The Devil, as it turns out, they have every ability to remove the bonds and free themselves–it is about choice, perception and the ability to recognize when you are standing in your own way and/or potentially blocking your own success. 

The female and male both have short red hair, horns and long tails. The feminine figure has a vine and grapes for a tail (anima) while the masculine figure’s tail appears to be on/made of fire (animus). Their animalike features hint that the more that the humans dwell in The Devil’s realm, the more they become like it.

*Based on the Rider Waite Tarot Deck

The Devil Upright

The Devil tends to conjure feelings of concern, discomfort and fear. Interestingly enough, that is the core purpose of the energy–to help reveal our inner fears, blockages, self-sabotaging ways, etc in order to address and ultimately overcome and master those fears, etc. One way or another though, we must be willing to recognize any toxic behaviours first.

Themes of obsession, possession (or possessiveness), indulgence, intoxication, addiction, fear, etc are also often associated with this major arcana card. While those descriptions may err on the more extreme side, for the most part, (unless your situation is much more complicated) try to work with those themes in a more ‘deconstructed’ sort of way.

For example, “obsession” could be relatable with overthinking that is becoming (or has become) counterproductive. In that sense, consider a visit from The Devil as your sign to stop and take a deeper look at what is driving your core choices and actions. At the same time, ask yourself whether or not someone in your environment is exhibiting such tendencies.

When it comes to indulgence, The Devil appearing in a tarot reading may be indicating that there could be overspending and/or too much emphasis/fixation upon luxuries, physical pleasure(s), etc. In excess, it can describe a person who could be described as hedonistic, even self-centered. Where relationships are concerned, The Devil would indicate infidelity, manipulation, control–basically a toxic, negative situation. 

One way or another, if you are not happy with your current reality, The Devil upright meaning would invite you to see how you might be chasing your own tail and/or not seeing/accepting your ability to change your circumstances. The point is, a change is needed.

Additionally, do your best to recognize if you (or someone in your life) might be trying too hard to control and/or manipulate things. The Devil often appears when we are focusing too much on the “payoff” and not enough on committing to the actual work and/or journey that it takes to get to the big finish line and/or end goal in the first place. 

So if you are seeing this, let it be your sign that it is time to recognize where you are holding yourself back and/or preventing yourself from moving toward your goals by not taking the first step. You may need to self-discipline and/or adjust your habits and routines. Change does not always come easily, nor does it necessarily happen overnight, especially when you have a deeply rooted, longstanding way of being and/or doing something.

The Devil, more than anything, is a deeply symbolic mirror of our own humanness–in the way that we interact with and depend on the physical realm. This archetype identifies possible self-limiting, self-sabotaging moments; and therefore appears as your guide to see your way out of your own difficult times.

This is a sign and reminder that it is time to self-liberate and to remove the metaphorical shackles of self-limitations. If you can manage to overcome your fears, doubts, etc and push past the self-sabotaging inner critic, you may see that the first step is so much easier and simpler to take than you may have initially thought.

The Devil Reversed

Seeing The Devil reversed, is a major sign that you have managed to overcome a significant obstacle, challenge, difficult situation, relationship, etc. There is a sincere feeling of victory along with the sense of relief and satisfaction that comes with such a win.

So much liberation, freedom and independence is possible and likely underway when The Devil appears reversed. With that being said, breathe a sigh of relief, knowing that this energy comes with a positive message. Brighter times and better days are ahead and all because you have managed to recognize and turn around any antithetical, potentially harmful attitudes/ways of being.

The reversed meaning of the Devil can be seen as a sign of breaking free from karmic bondage. In some cases, it could manifest in the literal sense as an indication of freedom from actual incarceration. If there is concern about incarceration, take this as a relief in that you (or someone you know) will manage to avoid detainment. Either way, this energy is a sure indication that you have/will overcome any challenges and manage to take control of the circumstances. 

The mastery that this figure also wields is in his ability to basically conjure something from nothing. So if your query deals with whether or not you will succeed and/or experience a gain, The Devil in reverse would tend to be a ‘yes’ in that regard. Rather than being manipulated by The Devil, you have managed to overcome him. You are taking the necessary steps to do the work and you are making the sacrifices necessary to push past any hardships, struggles, etc. Much of the time, the struggle comes from within, so if this happens to apply to your current situation, take a moment to honor yourself and how far you have come.

Many are too afraid to change, even if their current reality is harder than it needs to be. Sometimes, people are so conditioned to accept things as they are they do not even try to take a step, any step, toward change. Just like the two figures in chains standing before The Devil, it is not always so easy to see that freedom is just at their fingertips if they only removed the loose chains from their necks. The Devil reversed card is your message from the Universe that you have managed to not only recognize any of your own metaphorical chains, but you have/are also doing something about it.

Seeing the reversed version of this major arcana tarot card is definitely a welcome sign if you have been dealing with negative and/or toxic habits, patterns, addictions, people, etc. If things are not currently in a state of turning around for the better, let the reversed Devil card be a sign that change is not only possible, but that it is underway. You have what it takes to regain control of yourself, your life, etc and you are taking positive steps toward turning things around.