What does the Devil card mean?
The devil tarot card is one of the least favored cards in tarot.
Many people believe that the Devil is an omen for challenges that are to come, but the Devil only appears when its energy is already present within the question being answered.
While the Devil isn't necessarily evil, it is a powerful confirmation that there is something within your life or a particular situation that isn't beneficial and should be resolved; otherwise, even greater challenges could be experienced.
The devil tarot card meanings represent the darker aspects of the human condition.
This major arcana card becomes manifested once someone has made continual decisions to have to lead them down a very challenging and unbeneficial path.
These bad habits may be drugs, alcohol, or other forms of addiction.
They can also be continually empowering dark thoughts and negative self-beliefs that continue to break down your spirit.
During this time, you may feel trapped, suffocating in the darker side of life, plagued by your unhealthy habits and unhealthy attachments.
Luckily, there is still some hope when the Devil appears, as long as you are willing to take responsibility for your condition and do the work that's needed to overcome these dark times.
Devil Card Associations:
Element
Eath
Zodiac
Capricorn
Planet
Saturn
Keywords
Feeling trapped, bad relationship, raw instincts, personal boundaries, bad luck, darkest fantasies, material world, negative forces, shadow self, break free.
Imagery
The devil tart card depicts a horned goat standing in the background of the card.
He has bat wings, small horns, and a half man, half goat body.
The Devil sits on a podium, his feet made of claws.
Above his head is an inverted pentagram.
He stands in authority in the background, and before he is his prisoner.
A naked man and woman stand before the Devil with chains around their necks.
The chains appear to be loose, large enough for them to slip over their heads, but they continue to be imprisoned by the Devil.
They are surrounded by darkness, except for the staff of fire held by the Devil.
How the Devil Card's Meaning is derived from its imagery
The meaning of the devil card stems from the overall darkness of the card.
The Devil's presence symbolizes negative influences in one's life, causing them to feel trapped and imprisoned in their own life.
The devil tarot card shows the two prisoner's ability to free themselves.
Both the man and the woman could easily remove the chains from their neck and break free from the Devil's hold.
The Devil represents an unhealthy attachment, to the point that it's now draining the life force from an individual, causing them to feel powerless against it.
When in reality, with a chance of action, they can start making choices that release them from this state and remove these attachments from their life.
The Devil in the Fool's Journey
In the Fool's Journey, the Fool strives for self-improvement as they travel through each major arcana card.
When the Fool arrives at the Devil, they are presented with all of the aspects of themselves that they've either tried to resist, hide from, or have fallen prisoner to.
The devil card is about the Fool breaking free from the shackles they've created for themselves, letting go of toxic relationships, overcoming mental health issues, releasing limiting beliefs, and reclaiming power over their life.
Initially, the Devil can be overwhelming, but it's a necessary part of the Fool's journey in order to make room for chance and become empowered once again.
The Devil Tarot Card Description
Upright Devil Tarot Card
When the Devil appears upright, the seeker is faced with all of the negative forces present in their life.
These times can be challenging and feel overwhelming, but they're necessary to show you the current state of your life.
The Devil still has its hold over you, but it's becoming too unbearable to continue on in this way any longer.
You may be struggling with addiction or be in an unhealthy relationship. These types of experiences drain your energy and prevent you from standing in your empowerment.
The Devil in a Love Tarot Reading
When the Devil appears upright in a love reading, it's a sign that the relationship is formed on an unhealthy attachment.
These relationships aren't always doomed, but both parties must commit to forming a healthier bond and letting go of the influences of this negative relationship.
The Devil upright can also be a sign that this relationship is limiting your growth, and if you continue to stay, you'll feel trapped and imprisoned.
These types of relationships are often formed on control, where one side has all the control, and the other has none.
The Reversed Devil Tarot Card
The Devil reversed explains how addiction can be overcome.
When the card is in the reversed position, the chains around the man and woman's necks appear to slip off over their heads, giving them the freedom they need to climb out of the hole they're in.
If you're in a co-dependent relationship, the Devil reversed is a sign that you're releasing this connection and finding your own independence once again.
Sometimes, the devil tarot card appears in reverse when the seeker is falling into the depths of their darker side.
Dark thoughts and emotions are being explored, and the shadow self is being met.
These are beneficial times as they allow you to shine a light on the darkness inside of you, helping you to understand yourself better and find solutions to overcome these dark aspects of you and learn to accept them.
Reversed devil card in a health reading
When asking about health, the Devil, in reverse, symbolizes potential healing.
You're beginning to experience a sense of relief or freedom, and the health issues you've experienced in the past are diminishing. Many times, especially in regard to mental health, there are many choices and actions we can take to better ourselves. The Devil reversed shows us how our own actions have contributed to our health and what we can do to find a sense of relief.
Summary of the Devil
The Devil Tarot Card meaning revolves around low vibration. It is in stark contrast with cards such as Justice, which represent mature energy.
When the Devil emerges in a Tarot reading, consider the more barbaric aspects of life. Overindulgence in sex, alcohol, drugs, gambling or other vices come to mind immediately. Some other items it can represent are immature wrongdoings, such as being petty, staying stuck in negative thought loops (holding grudges), or being baselessly self-destructive.
While we must ignore and overcome the things the Devil whispers in our ear, we must acknowledge that no human is free from it entirely. The Devil and its associated actions and attitudes pervade all of humanity. It is a fundamental aspect to the Human spirit.
With that in mind, do not feel bad if the Devil highlights something about you that you're not proud of. You are human, after all! See how this card relates to the rest of the Tarot spread, and you will often find it's simply used by your Spirit Guides to caution you about something which could derail the pursuit of your goals.
Final Thoughts on the Devil
The Devil tarot card meaning is a reality check. The Devil only appears when his energy is already present in your life.
There should never be a surprise when the Devil comes knocking at your door because the Devil represents how you've created the current chaos or darkness in your life.
If you're feeling lost or powerless, reflect on the deeper meaning of this card, and decide how you can move forward to help release yourself from the shackles of your mind and find your empowerment once again.