In this chapter of the tarot course we will see The Devil and its meanings. The hidden details for its interpretation in the tarot, its correspondence with numerology, the elements and kabbalistics.
What does The Devil mean in the Tarot? What does the Devil card mean in love, work, money or health? What is its spiritual meaning and what does it reveal to us? What does the upside down or reversed Devil card mean?
The Devil and its meaning in the Tarot
The Devil is the 15th major arcanum. The Devil is a complex card to read and to accept its meaning. By itself it represents neither evil, nor works of magic, nor witchcraft, much less the devil in any sense.
All its meaning and sense has to do with free will, and its message will change according to the position in which it has come out in the spread.
Correspondences of the card
- Kabbalistics associates it with the planet of Saturn but also with Mars, with the letter Samech and with the number 60.
- Esoterically it is associated with the astrological sign of Capricorn, the element Fire and the season of summer.
- In numerology it represents the number 15, and 6, (15 = 1 + 5 = 6) the number 6 corresponds to lovers, and here lovers are shown chained, slaves to matter, bound to the sensual side of their nature.
Graphic description of the card
- The Devil is represented in his card by a satyr, a creature that is half man and half goat, dancing to the sound of a strange artifact that he holds in his left hand.
- In many myths, the goat was considered an impure and lustful animal. However, the goat also symbolizes the scapegoat, the person or thing on which people project the inferior side of themselves in order to feel better about themselves.
- Thus, the Devil is the scapegoat that we blame for our problems in life.
- The dark, doorless cave implies that the devil dwells in the most inaccessible realm of the unconscious and can only be broken through the mental walls, the strata that make up our psyche.
- With his right hand the devil grasps two chains, each attached to a necklace hung around the necks of the naked human figures of a man and a woman, wearing small satyr-like horns.
- The chains around their necks are loose and their hands are not bound. They can free themselves at will, if they wish. This symbolizes that the apparent slavery in which the devil holds us is ultimately a voluntary matter.
- We are slaves to our perceptions and decisions and we also have a dark side, both conscious and unconscious that we must release in order to stop being bound to things that harm our lives.
What does the Devil mean in the Tarot?
The Devil in right hand position, General meaning:
This card represents suffering, masochism, addiction, sensual passion, materialism, having before being, baser instincts, passions. It indicates confrontations, struggles or conflicts, the feeling of unhappiness, addictions of all kinds.
The Devil is a card that mainly shows that you are in a situation of subjugation in which you believe that it is due to external factors, blaming things beyond your control in order to remove your own responsibility.
The Devil shows that you can free yourself from these bonds whenever you wish, as seen in the figure, where the chains that bind the necks are loose, their hands are not tied and can be released, if you wish.
There is a question of scapegoating associated with this card, this is the main trait, you seek to blame anything outside yourself. The devil represents your darkest inner self, your baser passions, your instincts, your fears, your destructive and harmful behaviors towards yourself.
This “inner devil” has no more power than what you give him, and you can free yourself from his influence at any time if you wish. To do this you must overcome your fears, assume your part, your faults, make a deep self-criticism and ask yourself what is the area of your existence that is so subdued or dominated.
Although there is despair associated with this card, its meaning is not so negative, it tells you that there is always a way out even if you do not see it, that it is in yourself, only there.
It can indicate real addictions, such as substance or alcohol consumption, but also addiction to certain behaviors, people, situations, environments.
Finally, the Devil card indicates a strong attachment to the material and that you are obsessed in some way with a certain idea or issue in your life and you can’t seem to move from there, to move out of the box.
Material desire is not bad in itself, but the obsession, the complete setting aside of BEING for HAVING, is.
If the devil appears defining a person, it will tell us that this one is of very strong personality, tries domination and control, is passionate, manifest sensuality, has no scruples in general to obtain his satisfaction. Money is his goal and his guide, his material attachment is great, as much as his ambition.
If this card appears as a final result to something, it indicates that you will get the result you want, it will be good, although you should analyze if the means by which you get it are the right ones.
As for defining a particular situation, the Devil will tell us that there is a lot of emotional charge, there are confrontations, struggles and conflicts where one or more seek to impose their will. There is passion, interests at stake, manipulation. There may be a high charge of sensual desire depending on the situation. The end justifies the means.
What does the Devil card mean in love?
Regarding love, The Devil tells us that although the couple or the love situation is marked by passion, lust and bodily sensuality, the romantic content of it is poor, the emotions are superficial, bodily, but not internal.
There may be domination of one over the other, competition, vanities. There is emotional instability, constant quarrels and arguments.
It is good if you want to know how much passion there is in the couple or relationship, if the love passion is strong, but in the general reading for a love relationship is a card with many negative nuances.
What does the Devil Card mean at work?
In terms of work, it is favorable because it marks intensity, commitment, passion in what is done. It can indicate astuteness in defining something or doing business.
Regarding a partner, for example, it will mark that it is good for its cunning and methods to get things, but negative in terms of its reliability or instinct of domination, it will depend on other cards in the reading to define the profile. Surprising and good job opportunities may appear.
It indicates that mixing work and love, or having sensual relationships, for example, will not have good results. It may mark dissatisfaction in the current job, but it makes you evaluate the positive things and that it depends in part on you to improve the situation, your attitude, struggle and commitment is vital.
What does the Devil Card mean in money and finances?
Regarding money and finances, the devil is a positive card. It indicates a good time for investments of all kinds, negotiating contracts, agreements, pacts, laws and working conditions, BUT, not everything is rosy.
The astuteness with which you handle money matters can go well or very badly, especially if there are deceits or veiled things, hidden agendas behind. Saving a little at this time is necessary, do not devote 24 hours a day to money, do not spend superfluously.
What does the Devil Card mean in health?
Regarding health, this card is also favorable, it shows regeneration, attitude, healing, recovery from diseases, ailments, post-operative.
You should pay attention to the genitals, take care of the health of the reproductive system, avoid promiscuity and relationships that are not safe. You should also pay attention to stress and work fatigue.
What does the devil card mean spiritually?
In the realm of spirituality, it tells you to keep a positive mindset, as it is of utmost importance at this time. Positive affirmations are important and will benefit you. Take a look at who you surround yourself with.
Are there positive, optimistic people in your midst, or are you surrounded by people who are overly critical? Do you feel they are dominating you? Take stock and take action. Life is short, you should not allow yourself to be forced to live it any other way than the way you want to live it.
What does the upside down or reversed the devil card mean?
Meaning of the devil reversed, General Meaning: This explanation will be divided into two parts: on the one hand it is very good, in terms of the personal, the emotional, the internal.
The inversion of the devil is positive and liberating, it indicates detachment, breaking the molds, the positive energy that is liberated, the regenerated forces, in almost all the aspects, although not so much in love.
Everything that was suffocating and subduing you, you are beginning to reverse it, after a rethinking and a deep tiredness, you have decided to take the reins of your own existence.
You are freeing yourself from what binds, dominates and subdues you, whether it is a love relationship, social, family, a work environment, a career.
The strong materialistic sense that marked the devil now passes to a kind of Buddhist detachment, where you put things in perspective and give each thing its value. Material things, money, possessions do not lose their importance, but they no longer rule your life or determine it.
You are in a process of connecting both with yourself and with others on an emotional level. Being, in this case, prevails over having.
The other part of the reading is negative, since all the benefits that the Devil gave in vertical position, the cunning, the wit, the sense of opportunity, are lost here.
What does the inverted Devil card mean in love?
Regarding love, it is not so positive. The passion for love is in decline, there may be major romantic disappointments, it is a card associated with a loneliness forced by others or by circumstances, not by choice.
There are serious rethinking in the life of the couple, fear of pain, failure and loneliness. On the positive side, it may indicate the cessation of hostilities and continuous fights, as a good and positive thing and that the interest is deeper than the merely passionate or sensual.
You have to look at the context of the other cards to see if the devil in love ends up manifesting its negative or positive side.
What does the reversed devil card mean in work?
As for the field of work, the devil presents its most negative side. It advises not to innovate, it is not a good time for work changes or to try your luck with new things.
There may be tensions at work mainly due to miscommunication and a series of hidden envy, both from others towards you and from you to those who have, earn or the position that others occupy.
Do not rush, think before acting and above all, before speaking. It is not advisable to enter into new partnerships or sign contracts for the time being. Some risk of job loss.
What does it mean the card of the Devil invested in money and finances?
The inversion of the devil may indicate scams or swindles, it is not recommended that you invest, lend money or take out a loan now. In money matters you should be cautious and even distrustful, even of the people closest to you.
Although the situation may be uncomfortable or tight financially, it is not to despair, just be careful. The situation will pass and evolve but now you must be especially careful not to make things worse.
If you have asked yourself: should I invest in this, should I buy that, is it good business to participate in that…? Well, clearly the answer is NO.
What does the Devil card reversed in health mean?
For health, it indicates deterioration and relapses and possibilities of suffering from some disorder of sensual nature, as well as venereal diseases. The positive part is that spiritually, feeling a release, stress levels and fatigue are drastically reduced.
If you were going through a depression, things will improve, even if love, money or work have a negative aspect. Feeling liberated, with a new you, will make a difference and emotionally you will find a very favorable evolution.
What does the card of The Devil reversed mean spiritually?
With the the devil card reversed, your positive attitude and mindset is still very important. Especially if you are having difficulty maintaining a good attitude, be mindful of who you surround yourself with and who your friends are.
This card reminds you, that no matter what it looks like on the surface, you are not really trapped. Use the freedom you have.
