The Devil

The Devil

Basic Meaning of The Devil (Rider-Waite)

The Devil is the fifteenth card of the Major Arcana in tarot and symbolizes desires, materialism, and being bound by unhealthy patterns. The card’s image shows a large devil figure standing over two people who are chained with shackles. It represents that we can sometimes become trapped by our own desires, fears, and dependencies, and that we need to confront these in order to be free.

Upright Meaning

When The Devil appears upright in a tarot reading it means that you may be stuck in an unhealthy situation, relationship, or behavior pattern. The card encourages you to acknowledge your desires, fears, and weaknesses and to take responsibility for overcoming them. It is a time for self-awareness and questioning if your current actions and choices are really benefitting you and your wellbeing.

Reversed Meaning

If The Devil is reversed in a reading it can signify that you are on the brink of breaking away from negative behaviors, dependencies, or relationships. It can also mean that you are struggling to let go of old patterns and need more strength and determination to be free. The card encourages you to keep fighting for your freedom and to seek support from friends, family, or professional counselors if needed.

Example Reading

If The Devil appears in a reading alongside Two of Swords and Eight of Pentagrams it could be interpreted as you being faced with a difficult decision (Two of Swords) regarding a situation or relationship that is negative or unhealthy for you (The Devil). Through hard work, commitment, and focusing on your own skills and development (Eight of Pentagrams) you will be able to break away from this situation and create a better future for yourself.

Psychological Interpretation

Archetypal Meanings

The Devil is a powerful and complex archetype that represents the darker aspects of our psyche. It is associated with the shadow self, the parts of ourselves that we repress or deny. This archetype can also represent the concept of temptation and the lure of materialism and instant gratification.

Behavioral Patterns

When this card appears in a reading, it may indicate that the person is struggling with their own inner demons and negative patterns of behavior. They may be feeling trapped in destructive habits or addictions, unable to break free. This card can also suggest a feeling of being controlled or manipulated by external forces.

Integration and Shadow Work

The Devil encourages us to confront our deepest fears and desires, to acknowledge and accept our shadow self. Only by facing and integrating these darker aspects of ourselves can we truly transcend them. When this card appears, it is a call to do the inner work necessary for personal growth and transformation. This may involve examining our beliefs and values, questioning our motivations, and breaking free from destructive patterns. By doing this shadow work, we can release ourselves from the grip of the Devil and find true freedom and liberation.


More Tarot Cards In "Major Arcana"

Strength

Strength is a tarot card that symbolizes self-control, strength and courage. It also represents the ability to overcome obstacles and to handle adversity. It is a sign that the person has the necessary strength and power to achieve their goals.

Strength

Temperance

The Tarot card Temperance symbolizes balance and harmony. It depicts an angel holding two vessels, one vessel of water and one vessel of wine, and mixing the two to create a perfect balance between the two. The card also symbolizes that one must find a good balance between different aspects of their life in order to achieve happiness and satisfaction.

Temperance

The Chariot

The Chariot tarot card symbolizes a journey or a quest that is facing a person. It stands for power, victory and success that can be achieved by balancing opposing forces and finding a way to unite them to create unity. It also represents the will to take control of one's own life and to realize one's dreams.

The Chariot

The Emperor

The Emperor is a tarot card that symbolizes authority and leadership. It stands for control, structure, and regulation. It also represents a fatherly figure who has the necessary experience and knowledge to lead others. It can also mean that one should be responsible, enterprising, and have a will to take control of their actions.

The Emperor

The Empress

The Tarot card The Empress symbolizes creation, possibilities, and refinement. It also represents female strength and courage, parenting and creativity. It stands for an abundance of energy, kindness and goodwill. It also strengthens the ability to create new situations and to fulfill dreams.

The Empress

The Fool

The Fool is a tarot card that symbolizes a new beginning, an adventure and unknown potential. It also represents a person who is willing to take risks and trust their intuition. It is a card that advocates for change, growth and new opportunities.

The Fool

The Hanged Man

The Hanged Man tarot card symbolizes a moment of stillness and surrender. It depicts a person hanging upside down from a tree branch, indicating that one must let go of control and allow things to happen. It can also mean that one must take a step back and look at the situation from a different perspective.

The Hanged Man

The Hermit

The Hermit tarot card symbolizes a person seeking self-reflection, after going within and searching for the answers that lie within. It stands for solitude and inner journey, and represents a person who is about to step out of their comfort zone and bravely take a step into unknown territory.

The Hermit

The Hierophant

The Hierophant tarot card symbolizes traditional teaching and religious instruction. It also represents a mentor who helps guide us to a better life. It can also represent a role model that we can look up to and learn from. The card stands for the transfer of knowledge, guidance, power, and authority.

The Hierophant

The High Priestess

The High Priestess tarot card symbolizes intuition, mystery and spirituality. It also represents the ability to seek out deeper meaning and knowledge. It symbolizes knowledge, secrets and the possibility of finding answers within oneself. It is a sign to trust one's intuition and follow it to find the right path.

The High Priestess

The Lovers

The Tarot card The Lovers symbolizes love, determination, and choice. It represents a powerful moment of infatuation and emotional closeness between two people who are facing an important decision. It reminds us that we all have the power to choose our own happiness.

The Lovers

The Magician

The Magician tarot card symbolizes the ability to transform and create something new. It stands for creativity, intuition and power. It also represents a person who has the ability to handle different elements to create something new. The card stands for the rebirth of ideas, solutions and changes.

The Magician

The Moon

The Moon tarot card symbolizes mystery, intuition, and dreams. It depicts a moon illuminating a forest-like landscape, with two dogs standing along the path and a turtle shell floating in the water. It represents uncertainty and that we may not always be able to see the whole picture. It can also warn of dangers that may be lurking in the darkness. It can mean it is time to listen to your intuition and follow your dreams.

The Moon

The Star

The Tarot card The Star symbolizes hope, optimism and renewal. It represents comfort and support after a difficult period, and encourages us to follow our dreams and never give up. It is a sign that we are protected on our journey and that we can trust that the way forward is bright.

The Star

The Sun

The Tarot card The Sun symbolizes the light, joy, and hope. It represents love, harmony, and success. It stands for enlightenment and positive energy and means that there is a light at the end of the tunnel. It can also mean that you have reached a stage of personal growth where you are ready to take new steps.

The Sun

The Tower

The Tarot card The Tower often symbolizes a feeling of chaos and change which can be very frightening. It is a sign that there are big changes coming that will shake up our lives and make us look at things from a different perspective. It can also be a sign that we must leave behind what is familiar and comfortable to make room for new possibilities.

The Tower

The World

The Tarot card The World symbolizes the end of a cycle and is a sign of perfection, balance and realization. It represents feelings of joy, fulfillment and an emotional goal that has been achieved. It also symbolizes a new beginning and is a sign that one has overcome all obstacles and is ready to start anew.

The World

Wheel of Fortune

The Tarot card Wheel of Fortune often symbolizes a fate that follows a cycle of fortune and chance. It typically depicts a wheel-shaped circle with a number of symbols representing different aspects of life. The card can represent the constant change that occurs in life, that everything is ephemeral and that nothing is permanent. Wheel of Fortune can also symbolize the power to create one's own luck and to take responsibility for one's actions.

Wheel of Fortune

Death

The Tarot card Death symbolizes a change or a new beginning. It stands for transformation and renewal, and is a sign that it is time to let go of the old and welcome the new. It can also mean that it is time to leave old habits and patterns behind and create new ones.

Death

Judgment

The Tarot card of Judgment symbolizes a moment of awakening and renewal. It represents a moment of insight and understanding that leads to new levels of liberation and transformation. It is a sign that it is time to let go of the past and take the steps needed to move forward towards a new beginning.

Judgment

Justice

The Tarot card Justice symbolizes justice, balance and order. It represents the distribution of justice and the consequences of our actions. It can also symbolize that one must take responsibility for one's own life and stand by their actions and face the consequences.

Justice