The Devil Tarot Key Words#
Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Devil tarot card meaning, and its connection to love, career, and life, below a quick overview of the most important words connected to this Major Arcana card.
Upright | Material focus, trapped in bondage, addictions and depression, negative thinking, betrayal |
Reversed | Overcoming addiction, independence, reclaiming power, detachment, freedom |
Yes or No | No |
The Devil Tarot Card Description#
Baphomet, a goat-headed deity, represents the Devil on this Major Arcana card. With wings and a pentagram in the center of his horned head, this evil being is perched on a pedestal.
His wings are a figurative-representation of how focusing on carnal desires can lead to a parasitic life cycle. His hypnotic stare and the lit torch in his hand remind us how tempting unhealthy things can be.
Below his massive figure are two humans, a man, and a woman, standing naked. Both have chains around their necks that link back to the Devil, signifying the control that he has over them.
Although they are clearly people, both have horns and tails, which further symbolizes how deeply these two are entrapped. Both the male and female have things attached to these tails grapes/fire, wealth/passion.
The Devil Tarot Card Meaning#
The Devil is the card of illusion. Although you have total control of your life, beliefs, and choices, the Upright Devil tarot card symbolizes how addiction, depression, and unhealthy bonds can make you feel out of control.
Even social media, exercise, and work can be embodied by the Devil when in excess. Regardless of the nature of your particular problem, the message of the Devil is clear: redirect your attention away from the satisfaction of desires and toward the things that really matter.
Money and Career Meaning#
Are you trapped in a job you hate? Do you feel as if you’re a slave to debt? The Devil tarot card appears in financial and career readings when powerlessness is an overshadowing emotion. You may feel like a rat on a wheel, unable to get anywhere despite constant movement.
If this is the case, you should take a time-out to evaluate your current situation and talk to a trusted friend or family member about the next steps.
Just make sure that the person you confide in is someone who really has your back since the Devil can symbolize mistrust or exploitation, but it cannot establish that someone is a con artist.
Love and Relationships Meaning#
When the Devil tarot card represents you or your partner in a love reading, the news isn’t good. In love and relationship spreads, the Devil can symbolize control, compulsion, or an unhealthy dynamic, but it cannot establish that a person is abusive or unfaithful.
Do not infer addiction or a mental health condition from the card; assess behavior and seek appropriate support where needed.
If this is the case, you’ll both need to seek the right kind of help for your individual struggles. Your relationship isn’t necessarily doomed, but you’ll need to make healing a top priority.
If addiction isn’t a hidden factor in your relationship or friendships, the Devil suggests that someone is feeling trapped.
Maybe you’re single and feel like you’ll never find the one. Perhaps you’re committed, and for one reason or another, things aren’t moving in the right direction.
Don’t be so quick to give up on love or break things off. Instead, consider a reset with a single (or couples) getaway and some time spent doing things that you really enjoy.
Health and Spirituality Meaning#
The Devil tarot card in a health reading can personify the effects that risky behavior and lack of self-care can have on one’s body and mind.
Take note of any areas you are over-indulging in that might be leading to a decline in your overall well-being. Then, figure out ways to improve in these areas a little at a time.
If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, or other mental health issues, make getting help a priority.
Spirituality readings that include the Devil tarot card revolve around a fear of one’s own psychic abilities. Do you have subconscious programming that is telling you that divination and connecting to things that are metaphysical is the work of Satan?
If so, it is time to deal with these beliefs once and for all. You’ll never be able to grow spiritually until you take an authentic inventory of your personal value system.
The Devil Reversed#
Are you ready to level up? The Reversed Devil Tarot card has a much more positive meaning than its upright twin.
The Devil often appears in the upside-down position when the person receiving the reading is preparing to go to a higher plane. There is one catch though: you must first let go of negative and unhealthy attachments. By detaching, you’ll be able to reclaim your power and freedom.
Although this change is a good thing, you must remember that beginnings are usually messy. Just be patient with the path of your transition and deal with things one by one. You’ll be surprised with the results as you go on. Go on and seek self-improvement gradually.
The Devil: Yes or No#
Many readers treat the Devil in a yes or no reading as no-leaning because it symbolizes restriction, harmful patterns, or exploitation. That convention is not a verdict about the situation.
In a yes-or-no reading, the Devil can prompt a review of risks, pressure, and unhealthy patterns. It cannot establish what is in your best interest.
Important Card Combinations#
The Devil symbolizes how addiction, depression, and unhealthy bonds can make you feel out of control.
Depending on where the Devil shows up in your tarot spread, it can warn you for scams, obsessions, or (future) debts. Below you can find the most important Devil tarot card combinations.
The Devil and the Lovers or the Two of Cups#
Love should involve mutual respect and connection. This pairing can symbolize obsession or jealousy when the Devil appears with the Lovers card or the Two of Cups.
If you are the jealous partner, take some time to figure out what is causing these extreme emotions, and deal accordingly.
If it’s your partner who is displaying obsessive/jealous behavior, you need to work on setting firm boundaries.
In the end, if your partner can’t respect the lines you draw in the sand, you may have to cut your losses.
The Devil and the Five of Pentacles#
The Devil and the Five of Pentacles can symbolize financial pressure or fear about debt, but they do not predict that debt will grow. Review spending and support options from your actual circumstances.
Even the best of us fall on hard times. For this reason, it is crucial to put money away during the times when things are going swimmingly. Take a look at your budget if you have one and decide what spending can be cut out.
The Devil and the Magician#
A con artist is in your midst. This is the message of the Magician and the Devil when they fall in the same reading. Be careful of those inside and outside of your inner circle who might try to convince you to do something that doesn’t feel quite right.
Avoid ‘get rich quick’ schemes, love affairs, and picking up unhealthy habits. Your subconscious mind and spirit guides will direct your path if you’re willing to listen.
The Devil and the Two of Swords#
The Devil is usually connected to bad choices of a physical nature. However, when the Two of Swords appears alongside Baphomet, the issue is psychological in nature.
Are you having trouble speaking up for yourself? Do you tend to give into people-pleasing? Avoiding conflict is honorable, but when taken to the extreme, it can cause you to swallow your own thoughts and feelings.
Repeatedly giving others control can contribute to distress or helplessness, but the cards cannot diagnose anxiety or depression.
One way to combat this is to set boundaries early on and make an effort to speak up for yourself, even when it feels uncomfortable. Doing so will boost your confidence and sense of self-respect.
The Devil Tarot Inspiration#
Although I write all the descriptions based on the Rider-Waite Tarot deck, it doesn’t mean that I use other decks too.
One of my favorite things is to browse the web for beautiful tarot decks and cards. Here you can find a small selection of beautiful Devil tarot cards.
Did you create the Devil tarot card yourself and want to share this, I would love to hear from you!
The Modern Way Tarot 
Natasja van Gestel via Behance.net 
Ben Mcleod via Behance.net
The Devil Tarot Card in a Reading#
That’s all for the Devil tarot card meaning. If the Devil showed up in your reading, remember that the message of the Devil is clear: redirect your attention away from the satisfaction of desires and toward the things that really matter.
Our community loves to hear your thoughts about the Devil tarot card too, so please take a minute to let us know in the comments below!
