The Devil Tarot Card Meaning: Love, Career, & Spirituality
The Devil tarot card is one of the most misunderstood cards in the tarot deck. It’s often associated with negative things like evil, darkness, and bondage in astrology. And while that can be true, the reversed meanings do hold some light at the end of the tunnel. It’s also important to remember that the negative influences aren’t forever – they are hurdles to overcome.
Did you draw The Devil from the tarot deck?
At Your Astrology Reading, we’re going to dive into the tarot card meanings of The Devil in the areas of love, career, and spirituality.
The Devil Tarot: Key facts
Upright | Material focus, trapped in bondage, addictions and depression, negative thinking, betrayal |
Reversed | Overcoming addiction, independence, reclaiming power, detachment, freedom |
No | |
15 | |
Earth | |
Saturn | |
Astrological sign |
The Devil tarot card description
The Devil is depicted here in his most famous satyr form, also known as Baphomet. On top of being half goat and half man, the devil has inverted pentagrams on his forehead and bat wings. As if to demonstrate his dominion, he is standing on a pedestal with a naked woman and a man chained up to it.
It appears both men and women have horns, as if they are less human the more time they spend with the Devil. Their chains give the impression they are in captivity. The man wears a flame on his tail, while the woman wears a bowl of grapes, which represent their addiction to power and to fine things in life, respectively.Â
They don’t seem happy, though. They have lost their individual power, leaving them exposed and ashamed in their nakedness.
The Devil tarot card general meaning (Upright)
Generally, the Devil tarot card meanings indicate depression or addiction. It can also signal a sense of confining or repression. You may feel restricted and powerless when you read this Major Arcana card as part of your Tarot spread due to influences outside your control or forces beyond your control. This is how the Devil tricks us into believing we are powerless.
Your own attitude and behavior determine your destiny, and nothing else can bind you. You are the only one who can control your destiny. Neither you nor anyone else should tolerate negativity, criticism, manipulation or abuse. No matter how hopeless things may seem on the surface, there is always hope and there is always something you can do to improve your situation.
Make sure you are not manipulating or controlling people in your life either, and be mindful of what you say and do to others. In a Tarot reading, the Devil upright can also represent obsessive, secretive or impulsive behavior. These are signs that you are out of control.
A Devil Tarot card may also represent materialism as it may reflect that you are overly concerned with material things, power, or status. As a person, these are not the things that will truly fulfill you, so focus on the things that will.
The Devil tarot meaning for love & relationships (Upright)
The upright Devil tarot card can often be interpreted as a warning to beware of harmful or addictive relationships. This may be a romantic relationship that is based on manipulation, control, or even abuse. It could also be a platonic relationship where one person is codependent on the other.
Beware of anyone who tries to control you or make you feel guilty. These are not the kind of people who have your best interests at heart. You should also be careful of any relationships that are based on secrecy or addiction, as these are not healthy either.
The Devil tarot card meaning for your money & career (Upright)
If you are asking about your money or career, the Devil in a Tarot reading can represent greed, power, and excessive attachment to the material world. These are not the things that will bring you lasting happiness or fulfillment. The Devil is also a warning to beware of anyone who tries to control you financially.
This may be a boss or coworker who is manipulative or abusive. It could also be a situation where you feel trapped or powerless. Remember that you always have the power to change your situation.
The Devil tarot card meaning in spirituality (Upright)
The Devil tarot card appears as a warning to beware of anything that could be harmful or addictive. This may be a substance, such as alcohol or drugs. It could also be an activity, such as gambling or sex.
Anything that controls you or makes you feel powerless is something to be avoided, expecially when embarking on a spiritual journey. The Devil is also a reminder that you are the only one who can control your destiny. You are not powerless, no matter how difficult your situation may be.
The Devil tarot card meaning in spirituality (Upright)
The Devil tarot card appears as a warning to beware of anything that could be harmful or addictive. This may be a substance, such as alcohol or drugs. It could also be an activity, such as gambling or sex.
Anything that controls you or makes you feel powerless is something to be avoided, especially when embarking on a spiritual journey. The Devil is also a reminder that you are the only one who can control your destiny. You are not powerless, no matter how difficult your situation may be.
The Devil Tarot general meaning (Reversed)
As a general concept, reversed The Devil represents becoming aware of what has been trapping you and how you have allowed it to happen. A great card for anyone dealing with an addiction or mental illness, or engaging in harmful behavior, as it indicates that you are recognising the truth and gaining control over yourself.
You are starting to get motivated to change your circumstances because you want to be free of these problems. This can also mean that you are gaining a new perspective on issues that previously seemed impossible to influence. It may not be easy for you to make the changes you want to make in your life, but if you want a happy future you must make them and you are beginning to see what needs to be done.
In reversed or upside down form, the Devil Tarot card indicates a close call with a negative, harmful or dangerous circumstance or person. You should be happy that you avoided it while you learn from it and move forward. That’s the important message of this Major Arcana card.
Be careful not to fall back into the old risky behavior that brought you so close to danger. If you managed to dodge the bullet, don’t get cocky and think you’re invincible. Take advantage of your good fortune, but don’t overdo it!
The Devil tarot meaning for love & relationships (Reversed)
As a relationship card, the Devil reversed may represent a feeling of being stuck or as if the relationship was coming to an end, but you have started to make progress. It could also mean that you were on the verge of doing something that would have irreparably damaged your relationship, but you chose to avoid it (e.g., affair).
Your relationship may have been abusive, and you may have begun to realize that you deserve more, and it’s time to take back your power. When you accept that there are other options and help available, you may find you are less influenced by your abusive partner.
A Devil reversed can also indicate a close encounter with a negative, abusive or dangerous person of the type described in the upright meaning. You may also have felt that previously you were stuck with being single or that you were so desperate for someone to love you that you were ready to do anything. Nevertheless, you are becoming more aware of your behaviour and how it has hindered your search for love.
To truly enjoy the freedom that being single brings, you may need to step back from dating for a while. As this new attitude emerges, the right partner will not be far behind, so enjoy this time.
The Devil tarot meaning for your money & career (Reversed)
When it comes to your career, a reversed Devil may represent a situation where you feel trapped or powerless. You may be working long hours for little pay, with no chance of progression. Alternatively, you may have found yourself in an addictive or harmful work situation (e.g., gambling, illegal sex work).
The good news is that you are starting to see a way out, and you are gaining the strength to make the changes you need to make. It won’t be easy, but it will be worth it in the end. This is a great time to consider changing careers or taking some time off to reassess your goals.
In terms of finance, the Devil reversed can indicate that you have been wasting money on things that are not good for you, such as gambling, drugs or alcohol. Alternatively, you may have been spending excessively out of a feeling of desperation or low self-esteem.
The good news is that you are starting to become more aware of your spending habits and the negative impact they have on your life. This is a great time to start budgeting and to cut back on unnecessary expenditure.
The Devil tarot meaning in spirituality (Reversed)
A reversed Devil Tarot card can suggest you have averted a potentially hazardous or dangerous situation, just as with the general meaning. It tells you that the universe has been kind enough to allow you to learn your lesson without any severe consequences.
Learning this lesson now and learning it well will prevent it from coming back to bite you. It is also possible to see the Devil reversed as a symbol of turning away from darkness and returning to the light.
You are able to move once more towards love and light and reconnect with your higher consciousness after experiencing depression, sadness, or feeling spiritually lost. Alternatively, it could mean that you are learning how to deflect the negative energy of people around you so that it no longer affects you.
The Devil tarot card in a YES or NO question
In a yes or no tarot question, The Devil is a firm no. Due to its association with violence, good fortune, and abuse, it offers very little other than a warning.
You may receive the Devil card during a ‘yes or no’ reading as a sign that what you hope for is not in your best interest. Perhaps it’s time to reroute.
The Devil tarot card combinations
- The Devil + The Two of Cups: This pairing represents something very different from what is supposed to happen in love. In the case of the Devil chained to the Lovers card or the Two of Cups, obsession and jealousy are at work. As the jealous partner, you should take some time to understand what is causing these extreme emotions, and deal with them accordingly. If your partner displays obsessive or jealous behavior, you need to make sure to set firm boundaries. You may have to cut your losses if your partner doesn’t respect the lines you draw in the sand in the end.Â
- The Devil + The Tower: The Devil and The Tower are a difficult combination. This can represent being trapped in an abusive situation, whether it’s mental, physical, or emotional abuse. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to get out as soon as possible and seek help from a professional if necessary.
- The Devil + The Moon: The Devil and The Moon together can indicate feelings of fear, paranoia, or insecurity. You may be feeling like you’re in over your head or like you’re not good enough. It’s important to remember that these feelings are just thoughts and they don’t necessarily reflect reality. Take some time for yourself to relax and rejuvenate. Spend time in nature, or do something that makes you happy. Remember that you are worthy and deserving of love and good things.
Parting words
The Devil tarot card is a complicated one, with both positive and negative associations. In general, it suggests that you are in a situation that is not ideal, but it also tells you that you have the power to change it.
The reversed Devil card can indicate that you are starting to become aware of your situation and are taking steps to improve it. If you receive the Devil card in a yes or no reading, it is generally a sign that the answer is no. The Devil tarot card combinations can vary from representing an abusive situation to showing feelings of insecurity.
In any case, the message is clear: you have the power to change your situation for the better. So don’t be afraid to take control and make the changes you need to in order to improve your life.
