The Devil

What Does The Devil Tarot Card Mean?

As you can see from the picture, the Devil card depicts a figure resembling a satyr or a demon, which symbolizes humans’ animalistic instincts, as well as two chained humans who appear weak and small compared to the demon. As you will learn from a professional-guided tarot reading session, the chains represent the state of being trapped or controlled by our base impulses.

The Devil tarot stands for the situations where we might feel powerless, or chained by our desires, fears, or addictions. The nature of those addictions can be different, from unhealthy obsessive relationships to actual chemical dependencies and more. The Devil tarot card meaning is a warning against losing oneself to one’s materialistic pursuit or excessive hedonism.

The Devil Love Outcome: What Does This Card Mean?

In a love reading, the Devil card meaning represents lust and desire. It indicates that someone is not ready for commitment and just wants something temporary. If you were thinking about your love interest when you drew the upright Devil, that’s not good news. The person you are thinking of is more interested in hookups than something serious, at least for now.

Also, the Devil tarot card meaning in love in an upright position may indicate addiction and dependency. If you are already in a relationship but aren’t happy, analyze your partnership and your feelings toward your significant other. Chances are, your love for them (or their love for you) is obsessive and toxic, and you are better off without them.

The reversed Devil tarot card meaning represents coming out of a hurtful situation and realizing what you want from life in terms of love. If you feel trapped in your current relationship, now is the best time to end things and break free from the chains that restricted your freedom. Don’t be afraid to leave the familiar if it no longer makes you happy. Otherwise, there will be no room in your life for a truly healthy and fulfilling partnership.

The Devil as Advice for Navigating Difficult Situations

The Devil as guidance invites you to confront any addictive patterns, attachments, or habits that are consuming your life. It urges you to take a hard look at what is holding you hostage — whether negative relationships, unhealthy habits, or self-destructive tendencies — and recognize that you have the power to free yourself.

This card advises introspection and the courage to release anything that holds you back from growing or gaining fulfillment. It also suggests that you explore your deeper desires and fears, understanding them, so that you can regain control and move forward with greater emotional freedom.

The Devil Yes or No: What it an Answer?

As a response to a yes or no question, the upright Devil is a no. At the moment, something bad is standing in the way of your dream. You need to remove those obstacles first if you want to succeed.

In contrast, the Devil reversed yes or no is a yes. Whatever it is you would like to overcome or break free from, the cards want you to know that now is the right time, and you can do it. It won’t be easy, but the freedom you gain will be worth the effort.

The Devil Reversed Position and What It Means

The Devil reversed represents the moment of self-awareness, where a person overcomes bad habits and addictive behavior. It indicates that an individual can regain their lost dignity and break free from the chains holding them back.

Unlike the Devil in an upright position, the Devil in reverse is a positive sign. It suggests a period of awakening and reclaiming one’s power. If you’re currently struggling because of an addiction or a toxic, unhealthy relationship you don’t know how to end, the reversed Devil suggests there is light at the end of the tunnel (and that end might be closer than you think).

The Devil Upright in a Reading

The upright version of the Devil indicates negativity, materialism, void, lust, and entrapment. It may be pointing toward a period of feeling trapped or restricted by materialistic or earthly desires, such as lust. The Devil may also stand for obsession or unhealthy habits that lead to powerlessness.

If you get The Devil in an upright position, it means that the deck urges you to confront the unhealthy attachments that are standing in your way and try to break free. You need to recognize that true power lies in understanding and overcoming those limitations.

The Devil as Feelings that Might Need to Be Addressed

The Devil as feelings is strong, unhealthy feeling driven by attachment, fixation, or enticement. The individual experiencing these feelings feels trapped or controlled by their urges, fears, or an all-consuming attraction to something or someone. There can be a sense of emotional dependency, insecurity, or being caught in a toxic cycle.

In relationships, the Devil suggests manipulative or controlling desires but with the potential for imbalance or repression. The card typically represents a heart-mind conflict in which there are bad habits to sort out before it's possible to move toward healing and emotional liberty. However, the Devil reversed as feelings might be a good sign that you are on the right path to breaking a bad habit.

Reading The Devil in a Spread

The cards you get in a spread next to the Devil may change or at least complement its meaning. Let’s look at a few examples.

The Lovers. If you draw the Devil together with the Lovers, it’s bad news for your romantic relationship. Reflect on your bond with your partner — is it genuine love or merely an obsession you can’t overcome?

The Tower. Together, the Devil and the Tower point toward a dramatic upheaval in your life that will occur at least partly as a result of certain unhealthy attachments or self-destructive behaviors.

The Hermit. Drawn together, the Devil and the Hermit are a recommendation for you. The deck advises you to take some time to think of your dependencies or materialistic pursuits. It’s the best moment for self-reflection and introspection.

The Magician. The combination of the Devil and the Magician stands for the misuse of one’s talent. Analyze your life, especially its professional aspect, to see if what you are doing is indeed what you should be doing.

The Strength. The Devil and Strength duo signifies the inner power and courage necessary to overcome temptations and dependencies. If you’ve been thinking of trying to break free from the chains that are limiting you, now is the right time to try. You will succeed.