The Devil card represents temptation and indulgent sensual pleasures. You know it’s bad for you, but it feels so very, very good.
This card is usually seen as a warning against obsessions, compulsions, and addictions.
It is so easy to become a slave to the material and physical world. These desires can quickly turn toward greed, exploitation, and oppression.
Traditionally, this card card is visually similar to The Lovers. It shows a naked man and woman chained to a pillar. They are lorded over by a very large devil figure with batwings, horns, and furry pants.
This isn’t necessarily a negative card, though. You’ll have to read the other cards around it to get a feel for the situation.
In a positive sense, you may need to start enjoying the pleasures of life. Let yourself become spontaneous and playful.
It might even be time to start exploring your deepest, naughtiest desires and participating in those pleasures without fear, shame, or excess.
Keywords for The Devil Tarot Card
- Obsessive addiction
- Bondage through greed, materialism, addiction
- Let loose and enjoy the pleasures of life
- Excessive sexual indulgence or other compulsive behaviors
Keywords for The Devil Reversed
- Recovery, release, breaking free
- Weakness, blindness
- Reclaiming your power
Patterns and Correspondences of The Devil Card
- Major Arcana = the lessons of your life and personal growth
- Zodiac sign = Capricorn, as Pan the hedonist
Keep reading for sample tarot readings using The Devil card, but first…
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The Devil Tarot Card Meanings for Love
Hmmm. Not much love here, but there’s plenty of lust.
And lust can be good. As long as everyone involved is a consenting and willing adult and no one gets hurt (who doesn’t want to), there’s plenty of fun to be explored.
Just be careful. And don’t let your kinks, fetishes, or whatevers take over your life or rule your happiness.
When you’re in bondage to your desires, it can isolate you and separate you from others. And it’s so easy for shame, guilt, fear, and excess slip in when you feel different, wrong, or embarrassed.
Explore, express, and accept yourself – all of yourself – without shame. You can do this exploration within a relationship, within many relationships, or alone.
The Devil Tarot Card Meanings for Work
Are your dreams and desires only about financial or material success? If so, it’s likely The Devil has taken over and made you a slave to your physical desires. You are a slave. You have created your own chains and you are the one who maintains them. Is this really how you want to live?
Money is good. So are fame and success. But when you let them rule your life at the expense of your happiness or the happiness of others, you’re no longer in control.
The Devil card is a warning that your priorities are out of whack. Take control of your compulsive behaviors and free yourself from the limitations you are putting on yourself and your life.
The Devil Tarot Card Meanings for Health
This card is a strong indicator for addiction, obsession, and compulsive behaviors. Those are nothing to be ashamed of.
Really. Shame doesn’t help. It isn’t even real – it’s a stupid belief you’re carrying around that makes you feel even worse while you dig a deeper hole.
If you’re worried about any behavior that feels out of your control, it’s time to ask for help. Go see a professional or talk with someone you trust. Say the words out loud. Follow their advice, even if it seems stupid or pointless. And stop isolating yourself – this isn’t something you can do on your own.
You may not see it right now, but what you’re giving up is tiny compared to all of the things you’re about to gain.
The Devil Tarot Card Meanings for Money and Finances
You spend too much money on stuff that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t even make you happy. Stop doing things that don’t make you happy.
The Devil shines a light on your envy and greed. Your negativity is tainting your view of the world. Buying things you don’t love to impress people you don’t respect using money you don’t have…it’s not the smartest idea you’ve ever had. Why do you care about that shit in the first place?
Instead, be radical. Look deep within to find out what really matters to you. How you spend your money is a vote you make on what you want to exist in the world.
Do you want more beauty? Spend your money on art you love, flowers, and making yourself feel like a sexy goddess.
Do you want to be more connected to your family? Spend your money on picnics in the park, vacations, board games, or whatever gets you hanging out together.
Find out what matters to you, then direct all your excess resources to it. It’s your money. You get to make the rules.
The Devil Tarot Card Meanings for Spiritual Guidance
The Devil card is your friend. He’s a reminder there’s more to life than feeling good. And while everyone really enjoys feeling good, it’s not always what you need.
Short-term pleasures often run counter to long-term contentment. Neither is right or wrong, or better than the other, but be clear which one you are choosing and be willing to pay the “tax” with whatever choice you make.
It’s important to explore the dark side of your desires, without fear, shame, or excess. You can’t unconditionally love yourself if you won’t acknowledge your shadow side. That “bad stuff” is as much a part of you as your compassion, your sense of humor, and your nose.
Once you explore, acknowledge, and accept ALL parts of yourself, you have more control over which parts you allow to play.
You get to choose the forces that rule your life. For example, you don’t let your nose make decisions or let it define you, do you? Then why should your addictions, compulsions, and obsessive behavior? Make peace with them, grab the reins, and move on.
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