Having a close relationship with our darker sides comes naturally to us as humans. It’s very much a part of who we are – our shadow self, as the Devil likes to be called.
The Devil card is bound to have a negative connotation for most people as it is often associated with things such as addictions, gambling, and promiscuity, among others. However, this card doesn’t necessarily represent these things by implication. On the other hand, it can be about the power of the subconscious to manipulate our physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
In any case, one can also find the Devil card in a reading as a reminder that the Devil in you is also a powerful part of you, and it is about time to acknowledge those aspects of yourself and accept them for who they are. This card is calling you to examine the things and situations that are taunting you and ask yourself whether they are useful to you or not.
In a reading, the Devil card may also suggest that, even if you recognize the negative side of a situation, you will probably struggle to do something about it.
Characteristics of The Devil Upright
Positive: energy, powerful, intense, creative, resourceful, focused, lust, success, growth, motivation, progress, achievement, material comfort, safety, stability, vitality, pleasure, seduction, sexual energy, achieving goals, gaining control, self-control, being motivated, being productive, being more attractive, being at the top of the game, a promotion, being financially stable, financial security.
Negative: obsession with pleasure, lust, being controlled, dependence, being a slave to desires, addiction, enslavement, uncontrolled, obsessive, compulsive, dependence, lack of self-control, self-deception, vices, unhealthy habits, being in an unhealthy relationship, enslaving others, being enslaved by others, bad reputation, low social status, being a scapegoat, restriction, control freak, restriction, loss of freedom.
Description and Symbolism of The Devil
In Numerology the Devil card contains number 15, which is a number of intense desire, and this is similar to addictions as the Devil is in Tarot often interpreted through unhealthy attachments and not being able to thinking clearly. It represents the dark side that exists in all of us.
Astrological planet for the Devil is Saturn, symbolizing the boundaries as well as karma. There is a connection between the spheres of existence and how we experience reality. The cycles of birth, life, death, and rebirth are represented through Saturn, which is traditionally an arduous taskmaster, forcing you to question your morals and ethics, and re-evaluate your place in the universe.
The astrological element for the Devil is Earth and astrological sign is Capricorn. It is ruled by Saturn, the planet of structure, obligations, rules and traditional roles. Saturn is often linked to boredom, routine and rigidity. However, the good Saturn can bring progress, discipline, and an overall sense of order and structure. Capricorn is the sign that connects the Earthy side to the Spiritual side of the zodiac. Capricorn is about stability and foundations with a tendency to grow overbearing egos. Somethings cannot be controlled, but what you can control is your reaction to these uncontrollable happenings. Saturn encourages you to get grounded and be solid in what you believe and most of all, control your insecurities. In its positive form, Saturn encourages you to grow in maturity.
The Devil card in its negative aspect indicates that someone is dominating your will, your actions, and your life. Sometimes, it can also mean that this person has become like a habit and it has become hard to get rid of them. The Devil card is also about greed and power over others. Someone might exploit you for his or her selfish desires. Someone might even force you to do something that you can’t even do but are forced to do it. This might be for money and fame or for another selfish reason, which is too hard for you to understand.
The Devil on the card is the Baphomet – half man and half goat with wings of a vampire bat. He is positioned on the pedestal above the demonic female and male figures with tails and horns, symbolizing the duality of the forces that are represented and the balance between good and evil. Both man and woman on the Devil card are naked and standing binded to the pedestal with chains around their necks, but they seem obedient. They both have horns and tails, which symbolize their animalistic nature. It looks like they are in some kind of trap or punishment, but they are completely at the mercy of this being in charge of them. They are a symbol of our desires and the things we are attracted to. The Devil represents the forces of temptation that bind us, and the chains he is bound with represent that no matter how strong you think you are, you have to make a choice. To make a choice, you need to surrender and give in.
The goat’s horns are a reference to the goat-headed Knights Templar god, Baphomet. The Devil himself represents the duality of man and his darker, animalistic nature. The chains represent the bonds that the Devil has created to keep the human race in bondage. The Devil is the symbol that connects the world of the angel to human world. He reminds us that we need both the angelic and demonic sides of ourselves to have true power and wisdom.
Right above the Devil, even touching his forehead, there is an inverted pentagram, which is a symbol of the occult. The Pentagram is associated with ritual magic, alchemy, and mystic religion. It represents the “Devil’s work”. The Devil is a part of the material world as he is under the influence of that material world as he is under the influence of materialism, greed, and material possessions.
General Meaning of The Devil
The Devil card describes feeling restricted and being bound to a negative influence or belief that holds you back from living your full potential. It might be anything from a nasty habit, such as smoking, overeating or shopping to a controlling boss or a toxic relationship.
The Devil is more associated with negative forces rather than with your higher self. This card therefore represents our bad habits and the limiting belief systems we have that cause us to act in ways that are not in our best interest. These habits can sometimes be difficult to break, as we are easily swayed and our minds can convince us that the benefits of the current lifestyle are more important than the potential risks of breaking free.
In a general Tarot reading the Devil calls you to release control over your human life and invites you to indulge in bad habits, or warns you of bad habits, whatever perspective you take. The Devil is urging you to take that drug, engage in destructive behavior, or act out of spite. The goal has to be immediate, a shortcut to experience pleasure, fulfillment, and happiness, and this is the gateway to achieve the great desires that you have longed for. The Devil signals that you need to be in alignment with your higher self, and only then you will be capable of taking action that will lead to your desired outcomes.
When you see the Devil in the context of a love Tarot spread, the Devil is a metaphor for infatuation. You may pursue this person and desire them with all your heart. But when you catch them, you realize that they are not who you had hoped they were and that they are also imperfect, only human. For example, it could be your partner is a workaholic or the mother of your children is overbearing. The Devil may appear in the relationship context when you are struggling with a connection that you are not happy with.
The Devil card in a positive, strength, or advantage Tarot spread position signals the triumph of your willpower and the achievement of your desires. You have a firm belief in your ability to accomplish your objectives and possess the strength and fortitude to carry out your plans irrespective of what obstacles or challenges come your way. Others are enamoured with your energy, stamina, confidence, and determination to see your goal through to completion. However, this card cautions you that you may become consumed with this “soul-sucking” desire to achieve your goals and that overconfidence may be your downfall.
In a broader sense, the Devil card stands for a variety of situations. The most common interpretation of this card is that you are allowing greed, hatred, and other negative emotions to control you rather than following your higher will. The most important action required on your part is to regain control of your life and your mind. Otherwise, you risk becoming a slave to these negative emotions and behaviours, which can negatively or positively influence your life. The Devil card embodies all facets of humanity’s base and animalistic instincts.
The Devil card in a negative, weakness, or obstacle Tarot spread position signals a loss of focus, lack of motivation, and failing to see the path that you should be taking. You believe you are in control of your life but everything is becoming difficult because you are giving it your all to everything. Instead of being productive, you are constantly getting sidetracked with every little thing that comes into your head. But this approach is killing your enthusiasm and your motivation to keep going. Your life, your time should be well used and you must not waste it on things that don’t matter at all. Instead, focus on your goals.
The Devil in the Context of Love and Relationships
In a love reading the Devil card indicates a relationship that is more like a business relationship. The partnership is filled with jealousy, possessiveness and a feeling of being owned. There is little or no romance involved and it is very difficult for both partners to be themselves. Some partners feel trapped in the relationship and find the relationship controlling and suffocating. If this is the case the relationship will need to be renegotiated. In every great relationship there must be a pinch of Devil, you want the lust and just a little bit partner addiction, but when these feelings overwhelm you, it’s like a Devil trapped you around your neck with his chains.
In a relationship the Devil card can also mean one of the partners in the relationship is the aggressor. This means one person wants the other person to be more of what they are and less of what they are not. A partner believes the relationship will only succeed if one partner plays the dominant role, and the other person does as they are told and conforms. This is not the kind of relationship where both partners can truly shine.
Love feelings through the Devil card in love Tarot reading are described as a feeling of enslavement and being held down. The Devil indicates that one wants to be in a relationship but this comes at the cost of freedom and independence. It indicates the feelings of dependence on a person, and feelings of jealousy and possessiveness. It denotes a certain type of romance in which one feels restricted and which doesn’t give you the freedom you have within your boundaries and desires.
In single’s life, the Devil signifies that a person is missing that feeling of being trapped. You are probably holding back your feelings because you don’t want to be alone. It also means that there is difficulty in letting go of a partner that is toxic or a psychopath. If you are in a relationship, the Devil shows the presence of jealousy or doubts about your partner’s fidelity.
The Devil in the Context of Career
In a Tarot career reading, the Devil can predict trouble in a number of areas. This Major Arcana card can also mean that you are working too hard to make money and that you are in danger of turning to bad habits such as gambling or even drugs to give yourself a temporary boost. Are you a workaholic? The Devil could also mean that you think that money and success can buy you happiness. You can be tempted to sacrifice your morals to get the money. The Devil warns you that you have to be true to both yourself and others – avoid making promises you can’t keep or settling for less than you should.
The Devil might also represent the pressure and challenges involved in your work. You may be eager to get past this period, but you must be aware of the sacrifices that you have to make. Sometimes the Devil calls you to do what you know you don’t want to do. It might be a job that you don’t enjoy, a dead-end career path, or the need to work at an unappealing business that you hate in order to support your family. You might have to dig deep to find motivation to carry on. Don’t be afraid to ask for help from family or friends. If you are struggling too much, it could be wise to make a change.
The Devil in the Context of Finances
In a Tarot reading about finances, the Devil can predict failure to meet financial goals. You may want to make more investments or take out a loan to pay for something, but you are not able to accomplish this. Are you having trouble saving for the future? Are you being pressured to make a purchase? What is it that is preventing you from doing so? Perhaps you feel bound by an agreement or a contract, which restricts you from making the decision that you know will be in your best interest. You may need to renegotiate terms if you feel like the situation is not worth what it would cost you now.
In a finance reading the Devil card indicates a lack of control. You may find it difficult to resist the urge to spend money on unnecessary things even though you should be saving for your future. You must control your outlay and ensure that you are setting aside enough for your future. The Devil card reading suggests you control your spending, especially as the karmic cycle will be responsible for your actions in the future.
The card may also be a general warning of poor financial decisions as it could bring bad fortune to you. It also foretells the possibility of legal disputes over financial matters like inheritance or taxes. There maybe a legal battle with the authorities regarding how to handle your financial affairs. It is also a sign of bad luck in terms of money. Because of the card’s influence, there might be financial setbacks since it may indicate a loan that you took from someone to help you with your expenses turns out to have given you a bad deal.
The Devil in the Context of Health
Those who have questions in a health reading, the Devil card indicates that you cannot get better without some serious adjustments. If you have been going through a battle with your health, you will have to take drastic measures rather than playing around and waiting for the symptoms to improve. Don’t just hope things will get better without any effort on your part – surgery, drugs, or alternative therapies will be required instead of just waiting for the pain to get better.
To get well at this stage, it is good if you change your environment as it will help heal faster. Sometimes, the Devil card also indicates that the disease you are fighting shows no signs of getting better.
If your question is about what should be your focus when overcoming an illness, the Devil card in a reading exposes the hidden truth. The secret is that physical health should not be the focal point of your life. You will have to make significant sacrifices to focus on other aspects of your life, such as spirituality. The Devil is often connected to addictions therefore, meditation and introspection will be a necessary part of that effort. The Devil card does not always mean a physical illness, but it may indicate that your health worries are getting to you because of which you are unable to concentrate on anything else.
The Devil Card Through Spirituality and Self-Development
In spirituality and self-development reading the Devil card indicates deep-seated habits and addictions. The card also stands for inner guidance, and the subconscious programming is in play. The card can also indicate being trapped in a situation that you find you can’t get out of. You are probably trying to break the chains that bind you but to no avail. You feel like you have run out of options and that you are on your last legs. On the one hand, there is the drive to work hard and to change the situation, but no matter how hard you try you can’t alter the outcome. On the other hand, there is a sense of resignation and acceptance that you are powerless to change your situation. There is also a strong sense of ‘don’t give up’ that is coming from within you. It is time to re-examine your belief system and your understanding of the world.
When you’re asking Tarot about finding your purpose, and you’ve pulled the Devil card, it’s not surprising that you find yourself asking ‘what is my higher calling?’ In the upright position, this Major Arcana card doesn’t immediately tell you that you should go somewhere and ‘find yourself.’ With this in mind, you’ll want to be on the lookout for opportunities coming your way to serve your Highest Good.
The Devil card in the upright position serves as a warning to recognize the temptations that show up along the path. It is a common misconception that this card represents ‘the devil’ and the negative energies that we all are drawn to – it reflects the struggles we face within our everyday lives.
Is The Devil Yes or No Card?
In a yes or no reading, the Devil card indicates “maybe.” While the card is one of the most powerful of all the cards in the deck, it is also a card that can easily take on connotations of negativity.
In a yes or no Tarot reading the Devil calls you to think about your own personal goals. It is important to remember that whether a specific thing is achievable or not is not dependent on the outcome of one event. The Devil wants you to understand this, but it also wants you to know that he wants you to live life on your terms.
The Devil as a Person
If your question is about the Devil as a person, this person is someone with a huge ego that is very self-centered. The main characteristic of the person who is represented by this card is that they have a power that they use to create chaos in their environment. The Devil might represent the type of a person who has a selfish nature.
This person has a lack of empathy and is quite a manipulator. There are some things about them that are very disturbing, such as their tendency to manipulate everyone in order to get what they want. This is a person who will do anything to get what he desires. This person could be full of negativity and guilt as the Devil represents one’s inner desires, both good and bad. These desires come from within and are out of our will or control. When we start to fall victim to our desires, we usually give up our happiness for the promise of pleasure. When we think we have reached our limit, we become dependent of it and lose our power to control over ourselves so we can indulge. This is where the Devil comes in.
If your question is about a the Devil card as a emotional description of person, a reading exposes that the Devil symbolizes the part that is driven by desires. It implies that the person is having a difficult time controlling his urges. This person acts selfishly and cares more about his ambitions than anything else. The person is a loner, and he has the tendency to push other people away. This card represents a person who has problems with addiction.
The Devil as a Feeling
In a Tarot reading the Devil as feelings can represent fear, worry, despair, anxiety, unhealthy attachments, unhappiness, and/or sadness. It is about a victim mentality, giving in to poor self-esteem, being a slave to bad habits and the physical or emotional cravings. Satan is connected to addictions (lack of self-control) and self-harm, all of which can be seen as the Devil in our own internal “cave.” It can also indicate lack of direction (not knowing where you are heading) and poor self-image.
In card as a feeling reading the Devil card indicates that you are feeling bored and trapped. This card also signifies that there is something that makes you feel unworthy and you also fear failing to fulfill your responsibilities. You might be feeling as if you lack the power to change your situation. You have to depend upon yourself to overcome the challenges in your life.
What Is The Devil Card as a Positive Card, Strength, and Advantage?
If you’ve pulled the Devil card in a positive, strength, or advantage position in a Tarot reading, your vision is evolving. But before you can start to manifest your vision, you must overcome any remaining obstacles that may stand in your way. This card calls you to your higher good, your inner self. The Devil symbolizes self-love and respect for your inner voice. The Devil is the card of inner power – it embodies your willpower and desire to take charge of your life.
The Devil as an Obstacle
The Devil card in a negative, weakness, or obstacle Tarot spread position signals abandonment, neglect, abuse, emotional problems, addiction, a destructive environment, and mental confusion. Additionally, it suggests that the querent has some level of substance abuse, dependence, or other self-destructive habits that have turned their life upside down. This Major Arcana card may also indicate that the querent is unable to stop gambling, or it may also represent self-abuse, such as alcoholism, drug abuse, or prescription drug abuse. The Devil represents a strong personality who is a slave to his or her desires. On the positive side, it also stands for strength and power.
The Devil Card as a Future Outcome
The Devil card in a future outcome Tarot spread position tells you that your inner desires and urges are taking a hold on you and negatively affecting your life. At this time, you could be succumbing to addictive behaviors, giving in to negative habits, allowing your subconscious mind to take over your day, or being led astray by those around you who are trying to manipulate you for selfish gains.
As you may be unaware to the fact that these tendencies already exist within you, you will need to dig deep and find the core truth about who you are and what you truly desire if you hope to conquer and overcome such negative tendencies and habits.
Drawing the Devil in the future position also suggests that things are not going as planned. This might be a sign that you are not on the right path to achieve your goals, or that you are not truly focused on your goals and have distracted yourself with other things. If you are someone who wants to achieve a lot, the Devil tarot card tells you that you need to put too much self-discipline.
The Devil card in a future outcome Tarot spread position signals a possible scenario that you desire to avoid. However, should you choose to embrace it, the Devil promises a mess of consequences such as emotional outbursts, relationship problems, financial problems, and physical issues if you don’t.
The Devil Card as a Prediction of When an Event Will Occur
If you’re asking about possible time frame of an event or when something will happen, The Devil card signals that the situation you wonder about will continue to stay the same. It also indicates that things will become worse as time passes. Because the Devil is a card of restriction, the event may not be an accident but a choice. You will feel confined, restricted, and limited if your life seems to be governed by this card.