The Devil: tarot card meaning

General meaning

The Devil shows the chains you can remove yourself: dependencies, fears, patterns that bind you. It points to temptations and attachments that promise pleasure but cost freedom. Facing it squarely is the first step to release.

In love

In love it can indicate intense passion, but also jealousy, dependency, or a relationship that traps more than it nourishes. Ask yourself whether this bond helps you grow or keeps you chained.

At work

At work it warns of a job that enslaves, unchecked ambition, or murky deals. Money or security may be buying your freedom. Read the fine print — around you and within you.

The Devil reversed

Reversed, it's great news: the chains are loosening. You're waking from a dependency or stepping out of a toxic situation. Use the momentum to free yourself fully — and don't look back.

Sources: Waite, The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911); tradición RWS

Frequently asked questions

What does The Devil mean in tarot?

The Devil shows the chains you can remove yourself: dependencies, fears, patterns that bind you. It points to temptations and attachments that promise pleasure but cost freedom. Facing it squarely is the first step to release.

What does The Devil mean in love?

In love it can indicate intense passion, but also jealousy, dependency, or a relationship that traps more than it nourishes. Ask yourself whether this bond helps you grow or keeps you chained.

What does The Devil reversed mean?

Reversed, it's great news: the chains are loosening. You're waking from a dependency or stepping out of a toxic situation. Use the momentum to free yourself fully — and don't look back.