The Devil Tarot Card Meaning
The Devil is card XV of the Major Arcana. Upright it means attachment, temptation, materialism; reversed, release, breaking free, awareness.
The Devil
Upright meaning
Notice what binds you: habits, fears or unhealthy ties. The chains are looser than they seem.
Reversed meaning
Reversed, The Devil suggests release, breaking free, awareness. Its energy is blocked, delayed or turned inward; ask what is holding it back.
Love
Intense attraction, possessiveness or dependency.
Career and money
Feeling trapped by money or a job; reclaim choice.
Yes or no
The Devil leans no in yes-or-no readings.
The Devil in a three-card reading
- Past: recent events shaped by attachment.
- Present: you are in a phase of attachment and temptation.
- Future: a challenge that brings growth if met honestly.
Astrology and number
The Devil is card 15 of the Major Arcana. In the Golden Dawn tradition it corresponds to the symbol ♑︎ shown on our card. In numerology, 15 reduces to 6, the number of love.
The Devil upright vs reversed
| Upright | Reversed | |
|---|---|---|
| Keywords | attachment, temptation, materialism | release, breaking free, awareness |
| Advice | Lean into attachment. | Watch for release. |
| Yes or no | leans towards no | the worst is passing |
Reflecting on The Devil
When The Devil appears, sit with these questions for a few minutes before acting:
- Where in my life am I being asked for attachment?
- Am I showing any signs of release?
- What is one small step I can take this week that honours this card?
Write your answers down; a tarot card is most useful as a mirror for your own thinking, and reading your notes later shows how its message played out.
Frequently asked questions
What does The Devil mean?
Upright: attachment, temptation, materialism. Reversed: release, breaking free, awareness.
Is The Devil a yes or no card?
It usually leans no.
What does The Devil mean in love?
Intense attraction, possessiveness or dependency.
What does The Devil mean for career?
Feeling trapped by money or a job; reclaim choice.
What does The Devil reversed mean?
Reversed, it points to release, breaking free, awareness.