The Devil is card XV, and like Death, it looks scarier than it is. It isn't about evil spirits. It's about the things that keep us stuck: habits, fears, unhealthy attachments and the chains we sometimes forget we can take off.
On this page
What's on the The Devil card
A horned, bat-winged figure crouches on a dark pedestal, one hand raised and the other holding a downward torch. Chained to the pedestal stand a naked man and woman with small horns and tails. But look closely: the chains around their necks are loose enough to lift off.
- The loose chains: we can free ourselves; the trap is often in the mind
- The horned figure: temptation, excess and the shadow side of desire
- The downward torch: energy spent on the wrong things
- The two figures: a mirror of the Lovers, now bound instead of free
The Devil upright meaning
Upright, the Devil shows where you're stuck. It may be an unhealthy habit, a toxic relationship, debt, overwork, or a belief about yourself that keeps you small. It can also point to strong desire or temptation pulling you off course.
The good news is in the chains: they're loose. Naming what binds you is the first step to freedom. For witches, the Devil is a powerful card for shadow work, honest self-reflection and breaking unhelpful patterns, with compassion rather than shame.
The Devil reversed meaning
Reversed, the Devil often means release. You're starting to see the chains for what they are and lift them off: breaking a habit, leaving a draining situation or reclaiming your power.
Sometimes it can also show a struggle to let go, or slipping back into old ways. Be patient and kind with yourself, and ask for support if you need it.
Not every reader uses reversals. If you don't, read the upright meaning and let the cards around it show whether the energy is flowing or blocked.
The Devil in love
Upright: Intense attraction, passion, or a relationship that feels hard to leave even when it isn't healthy. Look honestly at what holds you.
Reversed: Breaking free from an unhealthy pattern or relationship, and reclaiming your independence.
The Devil in career and money
Upright: Feeling trapped in a job for the money, overwork or debt. Being honest about it is the first step out.
Reversed: Paying off debt, leaving a draining job or setting firm boundaries at work.
The Devil as feelings
As feelings, the Devil shows strong attraction and desire, sometimes obsessive or possessive. The pull is intense, but it may not be healthy. Reversed, they may be trying to break free of their feelings or an unhealthy dynamic.
Is The Devil a yes or no card?
No. The Devil is usually a no, or a warning to look closely at what's driving your question. Reversed, it can be a yes to breaking free.
The Devil correspondences
Use these when you work with the card in spells, on your altar or in meditation. The element and zodiac sign follow the classic attributions used by most tarot readers; the crystals, herbs and colors are common modern pairings. Tap any of them to read more in The Witch's Cabinet.
| Element | Earth |
|---|---|
| Zodiac sign | Capricorn |
| Crystals | Black Tourmaline Obsidian |
| Herbs and incense | Rue Black Pepper |
| Candle colors | Black Candle Brown Candle |
A Devil Card Cord-Release Spell
For breaking a habit or loosening an unhealthy attachment. Best on a waning moon.
You will need:
- A black candle
- A piece of black string or cord
- Scissors
- A piece of black tourmaline
Steps:
- Light the candle and tie the string loosely around your wrist.
- Name what binds you, out loud and honestly, without blaming yourself.
- Say: These chains were never locked. I see them now, and I lift them off.
- Cut the string and drop it in a dish. Hold the tourmaline for a few minutes while you picture yourself free.
- Throw the string away outside your home. For deeper work, see our cord cutting ritual.
Never leave a burning candle unattended, and keep flames away from curtains, dried herbs and pets.
The Devil FAQs
Is the Devil card evil?
No. The Devil card isn't about evil spirits. It stands for attachments, temptations and unhealthy habits that keep us stuck, and its loose chains show we can free ourselves.
What does the Devil mean in tarot?
The Devil means attachment, temptation, materialism and the shadow self. It shows where you feel trapped and invites you to break free.
Is the Devil a yes or no card?
The Devil is usually a no or a warning. Reversed, it can be a yes to breaking free from something that holds you back.
What does the Devil mean in love?
In love, it points to intense attraction or a relationship that's hard to leave, even if it isn't healthy. Reversed, it shows breaking free from an unhealthy pattern.
Keep learning the tarot
See every card on our tarot card meanings page, or read all 22 trumps side by side in the Major Arcana explained. New to reading? Start with our guide to cleansing a tarot deck and divination for beginners. When you're ready to read with confidence, our Tarot course teaches every card, spread and reading technique step by step.
Cards that pair well with The Devil: The Lovers, The Tower.