The Devil Tarot Meaning: Upright and Reversed

The Devil Keywords

• Upright: ego drives, indulgence, unhealthy attachments, shadow, materialism, temptation, self-limiting beliefs
• Reversed: overcoming temptation, accountability, liberation, confronting shadow, self-control, release

The Devil Card: Description and Symbolism

The Devil card introduces the themes of materialism, temptation, and ego-driven impulses into the Major Arcana. The Devil himself is depicted with a torch pointed to the ground, emphasizing the earthly realm over the divine. The pentacle on his head is upside-down, symbolizing misdirected worldly drives. Pentacles throughout the tarot represent the earth element and its themes of groundedness, stability, and practical efforts. However, the Devil’s inversion of the pentacle turns these values inward, destabilizing material and worldly experiences.

The Devil holds his hand up, with the glyph of Saturn on his palm. The planet of Saturn traditionally represents misfortune, limitation, and weakness. This symbol not only speaks to the Devil’s representation of self-limiting habits, but also his correspondence to the sign of Capricorn. Ruled by Saturn, Capricorn’s energy speaks to humility, discipline, and self-accomplishment. This card’s association with Saturn and Capricorn represents humbling experiences, but also the potential achievement from conquering challenges.

The small rectangular podium on which the Devil perches symbolizes his limited worldview. He towers over Adam and Eve, setting the scene in the Garden of Eden. The black background of the card represents the unhappiness that derives from ungrounded intentions. He influences the couple to indulge in their worldly temptations, represented by the chain that binds them. The chain also symbolizes unhealthy attachment and dependency. Their expressions are calm, symbolizing complacency.

The Devil and the depicted couple are each given animalistic features. Adam and Eve each have a tail, symbolizing their instinctive drive. They are vulnerable to their senses, represented by their lack of clothes and the flame that ignites Adam’s tail. The Devil himself has bat wings to symbolize the shadow side of the soul. Once the couple can release themselves from their chains, they will be free of self-imposed limitations. 

The Devil Card – Upright Meaning

The Devil brings your attention to unhealthy patterns and situations you have wanted to break away from. Your fears and temptations could have more control over you than you would like at this time. When this card appears, it reminds you of your capacity to break free from unaligned attachments to focus on long-term growth. 

Another interpretation of the Devil card is that you have been overly focused on material influences. Perhaps you have been chasing a specific relationship or career position merely to impress your peers. Or, you could be focusing on the money you are making rather than the meaning behind your work. It may be time to look beyond your competition and realign your goals with your innermost purpose. 

The Devil card ultimately symbolizes your shadow side. There are many manifestations of unhealthy attachments and ego-driven tendencies, so use your intuition to determine what pattern you are driven to break in your given situation.

Love Meaning – The Devil Card Upright 

When the Devil appears in a love context, you could be learning to let go of a pattern or attitude that doesn’t serve you anymore. Perhaps you are working to overcome codependent tendencies or feelings of distrust. This card brings awareness to the fears that rule your communication and behavior, in hopes that you will account for them. 

The Devil card can also represent a romantic interest or a person from your past who has misaligned intentions. This person may influence you to indulge in habits you are trying to outgrow. They could also tempt you to get stuck in cycles of dependency, competition, or needless arguments. Whatever the unhealthy pattern might be, the Devil warns you not to allow someone’s influence to control you.

In a relationship dynamic, the Devil can signify a partnership temporarily limited by one or both partners’ behavior. You could be trying to balance opposing attachment styles or emotional needs within your communication at this time. Remember not to let your fear of disconnection affect your perception of your partner as you work to understand each other.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Devil Card Upright

When the Devil appears in a career context, he is bringing attention to an unhealthy dynamic or pattern in your work life. Perhaps you are pursuing a position merely for social approval or financial gain. This card may be challenging you to look beyond surface-level motivations by pursuing commitments that are more meaningful to you.

The Devil could also represent a tendency towards addiction within your work or spending. You could become heavily attached to your work in times of stress, leading you to disconnect from other areas of life. Spending on passing interests could also be giving you temporary satisfaction at this time. Whatever the unhealthy pattern may be, you are encouraged to reflect on the intentions behind your investments. Only when you are mindful of your tendencies will you gain control over them.

Health Meaning – The Devil Card Upright

In a health context, the Devil card appears as a sign to address an unhealthy pattern or attachment. There may be a habit or cycle you have wanted to break for a while. It is time to practice discipline in the areas of your life that are ruled by tempting distractions and short-lived satisfaction. You are ready to address the attitudes and behaviors you have outgrown, but remember to be self-forgiving as you do so.

Spirituality Meaning – The Devil Card Upright

When the Devil card appears in a spiritual context, it may be time to deepen your practice by confronting your shadow. Look into journal prompts or tarot spreads that could help you dive into your innermost fears and compulsions. Reflecting on your inner drives and trusting your intuition will pave the way for your spiritual growth at this time.

The Devil Card As Feelings Meaning – Upright

The Devil card represents feelings of temptation and shame. You could feel caught in a cycle of intrusive fears or impulses, leaving you unhappy with your current situation. Remember to be gentle with yourself as you reflect on the source of these unwanted feelings.

The Devil Card As Actions Meaning – Upright

As actions, the Devil card signifies risky or half-hearted decisions that limit your growth. It may be time to take a breath and reconnect with your long-term needs.

The Devil Card – Reversed Meaning

When the Devil appears reversed in a reading, you may be overcoming an unhealthy habit or dependency. You have a renewed sense of control over your situation, allowing you to focus on long-term growth. Continue to confront the forces that have pushed you away from your path, and you will cultivate the freedom you seek.

The reversed Devil could also represent you taking accountability for your role in an unfulfilling situation. It is a great time to be honest with yourself about the changes you would like to make.

Love Meaning – The Devil Card Reversed

The reversed Devil card could represent you taking accountability for your role in an unfulfilling relationship dynamic. You may realize that your recent miscommunication is partly due to suppressing your needs, giving your partner little information to work with. There could also be a fear from your past that you are ready to overcome, such as abandonment or infidelity. Whatever feelings have made you feel disconnected from your partner, you are ready to address them now.

When the Devil appears reversed in love, it could also represent a romantic interest or a person from your past who is clarifying their intentions. This person could be ready to own up to their inconsistent communication or behaviors to grow alongside you.

As a relationship dynamic, the Devil card represents a couple who is ready to overcome their fears and temptations together. You are ready to turn over a new leaf with your communication and treatment of each other. Past disagreements and concerns are surfacing with hopes of mutual understanding, leading to long-term growth and satisfaction.

Career and Finance Meaning – The Devil Card Reversed

When the Devil appears reversed in a career context, you are ready to overcome an unhealthy pattern or dynamic within your work. Perhaps you are quick to take on new responsibilities to keep your boss happy, or you are making a healthier work schedule for yourself. You are taking accountability for your self-limiting beliefs in your career, which is opening up more meaningful roles and opportunities.

Financially, the reversed Devil suggests that you are building a healthier relationship with spending. You are willing to confront the patterns and temptations that have been holding you back. You are encouraged to remain intentional with your budget and investments at this time.

Health Meaning – The Devil Card Reversed

In a health context, the reversed Devil suggests you are beginning to take control of unwanted habits and impulses. External factors that used to tempt you are becoming easier to manage. As you free yourself from old patterns, it would benefit you to look at the progress you have made. Moving on is not always easy, so you deserve to celebrate your successes.

Spirituality Meaning – The Devil Card Reversed

When the Devil card appears in a spiritual context, it suggests that you are actively accepting your suppressed fears and struggles. You are encouraged to continue addressing your shadow and ego drives to restore self-trust on your spiritual journey. 

The Devil Card As Feelings Meaning – Reversed

The reversed Devil represents feelings of liberation and release. You are beginning to free yourself from the fears and patterns that used to weigh you down. 

The Devil Card As Actions Meaning – Reversed

When the reversed Devil card appears in a tarot reading, it represents self-accountability and redemption. You are ready to address a misaligned habit or tendency to move forward with more self-confidence.

Past, Present, and Future Positions

Past Position

When the Devil appears in the ‘past’ position, it signifies a previous unhealthy situation or attachment. You learned to move beyond temptation and worldly drives in the past, which is informing your current situation.

Present Position

In the ‘present’ position, the Devil card alerts you to a pattern or obsession that you are ready to outgrow. There may be a habit or commitment that no longer contributes to your long-term growth. You are encouraged to release your fears and temptations to make progress in your current situation.

Future Position

The Devil card in the ‘future’ position predicts that your current situation will lead to an unhealthy attachment or pattern. You may need to rethink the meaning behind your commitments to stay aligned with your long-term goals.

Yes or No Meaning of The Devil Card

• The Devil Upright: No
• The Devil Reversed: Maybe

When the Devil card appears upright, it gives you a ‘no’. There is an attachment or dependency within this situation that requires intentional release for a fulfilling outcome.

When the Devil appears reversed, it gives you a ‘maybe’. You may have a grasp of the limiting forces in this situation, but achieving a fulfilling outcome will require more time and reflection.

Advice and Message of The Devil Card

The Devil appears to alert you to the forces and tendencies that deter you from your path. There are attachments you are actively working on releasing to feel free. This card encourages you to reflect on the self-limiting beliefs that bind you to unwanted situations. Once you account for your shadows, you will be heeding the Devil’s advice.

Summary of The Devil Tarot Meaning

When the Devil card appears, you are encouraged to face the patterns that have been weighing you down. You are ready to move beyond a limiting cycle to realign with your purpose, but it will require your full attention first. When reversed, the Devil suggests that you are one step ahead in accepting your fears, temptations, and ego drives. Reflect on what pursuits would make your future self the proudest, and you will have successfully conquered the shadows of the Devil card.