The Devil
attachment, temptation, desire
The Devil is about attachments, temptations, addictions and relationships that keep us tied down. But look at the chains: they're loose. You can take them off whenever you decide to.
The image and its symbolism
The Devil shows a figure with goat horns and bat wings, sitting on a dark pedestal. It has an inverted pentagram on its forehead, raises its right hand, and holds a torch pointed downward in its left. In front, a naked man and woman are chained by the neck to the pedestal. Both have small horns and tails, and the background is completely black. This is card number XV.
The couple echoes the one in The Lovers, except here they've lost their freedom. It's love turned into attachment. Notice that the chains hang loose around their necks. They could slip them off if they wanted to. The horns and tails show them starting to look like the thing that controls them. The downward torch is desire that burns without giving light, and the black background is how little we can see when we're caught up in something.
What The Devil means
Upright, The Devil is everything that ties us down even when we know it's bad for us. Checking your phone every two minutes, texting someone who keeps hurting you, or staying in a job only because you're afraid you won't find another. It's also about desire, pleasure and ambition, which aren't bad in themselves. The trouble starts when you stop choosing them and they start choosing for you.
There's no judgment in this card. Look at what has you hooked and why it's so hard to quit. Recognizing the chain is half the work. And remember that in the picture the chains are loose, so there is a way out even if you can't see it yet.
The Devil in love
Intense passion, jealousy or a codependent relationship. Lots of chemistry, very little freedom.
If you're in a relationship
There may be a lot of chemistry and, at the same time, jealousy, control or dependency. Ask yourselves whether you're together out of love or out of fear of being without each other. For the relationship to be healthy, each of you needs room to breathe.
If you're single
Be careful with very strong attractions, because they hook you fast. Enjoy the desire, but notice if someone makes you feel small or keeps you glued to your phone waiting for a text. Your freedom is worth more than any chemistry.
If you're thinking about an ex
The bond is still strong and a return is possible. The question is whether it would be good for you or drag you back into the same old pattern. Before you answer that message, remember how you felt at the end.
At work
A job you only put up with for the paycheck, unchecked ambition, or shady dealings.
You feel tied down by a good salary, a mortgage, or someone's approval. Or there's too much ambition, pressure to do things you don't agree with, or hours that swallow your life. Think about what you're willing to sacrifice and what you're not.
Money
Watch out for compulsive shopping, growing debt, and promises of easy money. Read the fine print before you sign for a loan or an investment. Taking control of your finances is scary, but it sets you free.
Health and well-being
Watch out for excess and anything that hooks you. If you feel something has control over you, asking for help takes courage.
As feelings, as a person and as the future
As feelings
They want you badly, almost like a need. There may be real passion, but also possessiveness or jealousy. They find it hard to let you go, and that doesn't mean the relationship is healthy.
As a person
Someone magnetic and passionate, with a controlling streak. They know how to seduce and get their way, and people around them can end up depending on them. They may also be someone trapped in their own attachments.
As the future
A temptation or a test of attachment is coming. That doesn't mean you'll give in. It will help you know yourself better, and if you stay alert you'll be able to decide without being swept along.
The Devil reversed
Breaking free, ending a dependency, or finally seeing what had you trapped.
Reversed, The Devil usually brings good news. You realize what was holding you and start letting it go. You drop a habit that weighed on you, step away from someone who controlled you, or take your time back. It's hard, and there may be relapses, but you're already on your way. This is the card of release.
In love, you leave a codependent relationship, or the relationship becomes healthier and freer. At work, you quit a job that was suffocating you or put a stop to an abusive situation. You're the one making the decisions again.
As a yes or no answer
No
No, or at least not in a healthy way. The Devil comes up with things that pull you in but tie you down. Ask yourself whether you really want it or just find it hard to let go.
Do the readingCombined with other cards
By tradition, this card goes with Capricorn. You can also read today's Capricorn horoscope.
Find one chain you can take off this week.
The Devil FAQ
Is The Devil a bad card?
It isn't bad, but it is a warning. It points to attachments, temptations and dependencies so you can recognize them and get free. The chains are loose, so getting out is up to you.
What zodiac sign is The Devil?
In the Golden Dawn system, The Devil corresponds to Capricorn. It shares the sign's ambition, its attachment to material things and its desire for control.
Is The Devil a yes or no card?
It's a no, or at least a warning. What you want is pulling you in, but it could tie you down, so first ask yourself whether it's good for you.
Does The Devil mean cheating?
Not necessarily. It can point to temptation or desire outside the relationship, but mostly it shows dependency, jealousy and intense passion. The rest of the spread helps you see what kind of tie it is.