Upright Keywords
oppression, addiction, obsession, dependency, excess, powerlessness, limitations
Reversed Keywords
independence, freedom, revelation, release, reclaiming power, reclaiming control
This card shows the Devil represented in his most well-knownsatyr form, otherwise known as Baphomet. Along with being half goat andhalf man, the devil has bat wings and an inverted pentagram on his forehead. Heis standing on a pedestal, to which are chained a nude man and woman, as if toshow that he has dominion over them.
Both the man and the woman have horns, as if to show that the more time theyspend with the Devil, the less human they become. The chains make itappear as though the devil has taken them captive. The man has a flame onhis tail while a woman has a bowl of grapes on her tail, which symbolizes theiraddiction to power and finer things in life, respectively.
Looking closely, both the man and the woman don’t look happy. Their individualpower has been taken from them, leaving them exposed and ashamed intheir nakedness.
Getting the devil card in yourreading shows that you have feelings of entrapment, emptiness and lackof fulfillment in your life. It might also mean that you are a slave tomaterialism and opulence and no matter how hard you try, you just can’t seem toshake off the feeling of wanting to indulge in luxurious living.
You might be aware that this kind of lifestyle is leading you down the rabbithole, but you have that feeling of not having any form of control over youractions or urges.
Addiction to substances or material pleasures can alsobe the reason for your feelings of powerlessness and entrapment.
Addiction to substances or materialpleasures can also be the reason for your feelings of powerlessness andentrapment. In situations such as these, you may feel as though youare a slave, unable to control your impulses or willpower to direct yourselftowards something other than the satisfaction of these desires.
Upright Love Meaning
Upright Career Meaning
Upright Finances Meaning
lust, hedonism, selfish disregard for lover’s feelings, obsession
feeling trapped in job, blaming colleagues, self-sabotage
bad financial habits
Lust and temptation aresymbolized by the Devil in a love tarot reading. There can be a sense ofhedonism, and a selfish desire for gratification with this card. In lessserious circumstances, it can also just simply mean a pursuit for all of life’searthly pleasures. There is nothing wrong in having a bit of fun, but make surethat you are not hurting others or giving them wrong impressions when you do.If you’re only looking for hook-ups, it is up to you to communicate that withyour dates. Make sure you avoid pressuring others if they decide your lifestyleisn’t something that suits them. Communication will be more important than evernow.
Alternatively, the Devil tarot love meaning can also signal addiction, and inthe context of love and relationships, co-dependency. Over time, this can bedestructive to the individuality and self of both partners. Be wary, and ensurethat the two of you remain strong individuals within your relationship.
You may feel stuck or trappedwhen it comes to your career right now, like you don’t have any options but tostay somewhere that you dislike. In this state, it may be easier to blame yourcircumstances, bad luck, or a host of external factors. You may feel dependenton this job, without the power to make the changes that would bring youhappiness. At times, this card can also signal self-sabotage and playing thevictim when it comes to work relations with your colleagues. Regardless of whatit feels like, the Devil’s appearance can signal that you have more choicesthan you think you do, you only need to reclaim your power. This can be scary,to take accountability for a situation that you dislike, but it can also beempowering.
Difficult financial situationsmay be exaggerated with bad habits with the Devil in the reading. This cansignal that there is often more that you can do to bring yourself out of thisstate, but you may be either failing to see the solutions, or you are unable tochange the way that you handle your finances. You may be spending compulsively,gambling, or unable to take control of your material resources. Make sure youare doing all that you can.
The upside down meaning ofthe Devil card can be the moment when an individual becomes self-aware andbreaks all of the chains that come with addiction and poor habits. It might bebecause they are tired of running in circles and are in need of change.
But one thing is usually clear – breaking off these chains, especially those ofaddiction is never easy. So, one has to be prepared to make the necessarychanges that might initially seem painful to make the adjustmentsthat will pay off in the end by being able to find your true selfagain.
Self-assessment is called for in this case and the individual needs to takesome time and list all of the things that they need to get rid of. And oncethat has been done, and then it would be time for them to embark on thedifficult journey of self-improvement.
Reversed Love Meaning
Reversed Career Meaning
Reversed Finances Meaning
feeling more in control of love life, ending co-dependency
more accountability in career path, feeling empowered at job
breaking bad financial habits, feeling independent financially
The reversed Devil tarot lovemeaning can signal that you may be breaking free from some negative emotionalpatterns or addictions that have stood in the way of you developing strongrelationships. You may feel more in control of your love life than ever. Thiscard in some circumstances can also signal breaking away from a relationshipwith a domineering partner, or a co-dependent relationship that was notallowing you to express your true self. You may have recognized that the bondsthat tied you to your partner were ones that were not healthy or supportive.Continue to nurture your own independence and be proud of what you have done.
When it comes to work, you are inthe process of reclaiming your accountability in your career choices, and arein the process of making some much needed changes to avoid future issues. Ifyou’ve been in a position that you’ve found stifling, you may be taking action;whether that means leaving an unfulfilling job, or an unhealthy environment, orchoosing to fix a strained relationship with a colleague. You may no longerfeel dependent on your job for a sense of stability, understanding that you canfind it within yourself. Take note of the changes that occur when yourediscover your independence.
If you’ve had a history of badfinancial habits, you may be working on making the changes necessary for you toretake control. If you’ve been dependent on others for your material resources,like a partner, or family members, you may be enjoying a new sense ofindependence.
BooksArtworkBlanketPremium boxPresentatieThis project is made by Jan Otte for his final project at Ap hogeschool.
You can find more of his work at his personal website.