(Tarot Prompts for Writers)
Here’s a compilation of my notes on reading The Devil as a card of the day or in a spread.
If you’re just learning tarot, use the deck that most appeals to you, and spend some time looking at your card. What does it say to you? (See my description of The Devil as I see it.)
Tarot is personal and open-ended. There are traditional meanings — and yes, you should know them if you want to read tarot cards — but it really only “works” if you follow what the cards mean to you personally. Your devil and my devil may not mean quite the same thing.
Number
The number 15 can combine the meanings of 1—energy—and 5—independence—to mean self-confident leadership – but the Devil card is all about bondage and self-destruction, so I can’t make sense of that. Perhaps you’ve given up your energy and independence to the Devil?
Name
The Devil represents evil and temptation, the opposite of God and goodness. Everyone must battle with their own devil — whether that’s wickedness or depression or greed or arrogance, etc. It’s always a dangerous battle because darkness has its pull and is easier in some ways, and more immediately rewarding, than the side of light.
Placement
The Devil comes just after Temperance and shows the results of not having Temperance. It’s in the last half of the major arcana and shows a fate that many succumb to in later life, when dreams and ideals have not worked out. Don’t let the Devil get you. Don’t give up. There is still a good life left to live.
Traditional interpretations
The Devil is an unfortunate card that often warns of violence and evil, even fatality, or temptation coming your way. It may warn of hidden forces at work that you haven’t accounted for in your plans. More often, it indicates a need to sublimate your base self and channel your dark energy into something positive.
The Devil is both supernatural and the dark side of all-too-natural humanity. Neither ignore it nor be enslaved by it. Know that wickedness is part of human life – don’t let it take you by surprise. But know, too, that even if the Devil sometimes wins, you can still fight and be free of him.
The card can indicate materialism. It warns of greed, obsession, infidelity, alcoholism, addictions to harmful activities. Stop seeing things in superficial terms and giving in to easy pleasures. You need to mature; be less selfish and shallow.
The Devil can represent a part of you that lives a lie or is dependent on vice or worldly success. It can tell of perversity, debt, incarceration, unhealthy relations. It always warns of danger: you could be led astray by false promises and shallow pleasures. Choose not to be seduced. Misfortune, hopelessness, and cynicism will come as a consequence of your choices. The solution is to take control of your life. Do not let the Devil win.
Reverse interpretations
Reversed, the Devil card indicates evil, weakness, pettiness, lust for power and abuse of power. You will be tempted into corruption. Be warned and don’t be taken. You can overcome evil.
The card may foretell divorce or a severance of ties. On the upside, this break could lead to an end of delusions. You must crawl from the ruins and rebuild.
Ignore the devil’s whispers. You can free yourself.
Thematic readings
- In love, bondage and materialism that are not healthy. Addictions and temptations. Toxicity. Pessimism. Exert more willpower, virtue, and understanding to make things work.
- In work, pessimism is a problem. Negativity is holding you back. Be wary of a toxic environment.
- In general life, you may be enslaved by greed, lust, power, insane ideals or addictions, or you may be in a controlling relationship. This is self-enslavement. You are not powerless here. Take control and begin to live the life you want.
Specific positions
- Current situation: You must battle with your Devil. Don’t let it con you. Even if you are captive to it now, fight to be free of it. You may have a self-destructive attachment that will end in tears. Listen to your inner wisdom and a way out will become clear.
- Past influence: Negative influences. Hatefulness. The aftermath of vice and betrayal. Destruction will follow if you continue to be enslaved to the worst in yourself. You must break free. Find your better self and your true path. You are failing to see the divine.
- Outcome: Big efforts will be required to succeed. You must battle temptation. Don’t be led astray by a controlling person. Don’t succumb to your base impulses. There is much on the line.
- Blocked: Your soul is enslaved by your desires. You feel hopeless about changing your life, but you can do it. It will be a hard battle, but you can win. Don’t be fooled or charmed; listen to your deepest self.
Questions for the Querent
- Do you have any reaction at first sight of this card? What do you focus on?
- Are you afraid of this card? Afraid of the Devil?
- Do you believe in good and evil? Do you believe in a real devil, or a force that can persuade humans toward evil?
- How do you deal with temptation?
- What is your devil, your weakness? What strategies do you have for coping with it?
- Do you believe that darkness can be channelled into goodness? What’s the best way to deal with dark desires?
Keywords to aid Memory
- Temptation
- Self-destruction
- Bondage
- Materialism
- Battles with evil
Images on this page are by the following artists: Banner, left to right: Marseilles deck engraved by Nicolas Conver; Dragon Tarot illustrated by Roger and Linda Garland (also shown in box); Tarot Balbi by Domenico Balbi; Gilded Tarot by Ciro Marchetti; Radiant Rider-Waite deck illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith; Druid Craft deck illustrated by Will Worthington (also shown in box).
Catherine Austen 