The Devil is the sixteenth card in the major arcana and represents toxicity, temptation, manipulation, control, obsession and over-indulgence. The Devil is represented by the number fifteen which breaks down to six, so each number will have connections to the meaning of this card. The number fifteen is connected to things like sensuality, harmony, fertility and luxury.
The Devil is connected to the element earth and the zodiac sign Capricorn, as it’s associated with the material realm, ambition, control and power. This card can also represent something that has power over you like addictions, negative habits, limited thinking patterns and obsessions.
This card is connected to the planet Saturn which represents discipline, authority, structure, karma and karmic lessons. Because of this, the Devil can also be connected to things like karmic contracts and relationships with people who you feel bound to.
The Devil Meaning
This card can show that something may have power over you in a situation or that you have given your power away to something/someone in a situation. Although, this is just an illusion as nothing can really have power over you unless you let it. The Devil also represents temptation due to its very alluring and charismatic energy.
The image on the card shows a devil who has two people chained to him representing the power and control he has over them. On the card, the chains around the people’s necks are very loose, signifying that they have the ability to break free of the devil at any time. The power is in their hands to choose to break free or to stay in the limited mindset of being stuck.
So the Devil can mean that you have the power within you to break free of any toxic habits, patterns, thoughts, situations and/or addictions. The Devil can also be connected to the Lovers which shows two people being brought together by an angel instead of a devil. These cards are connected as they can represent the dualistic nature of relationships or even the different aspects of yourself.
Therefore, when the Devil comes up in a reading it can represent dependence or that you may be hanging onto something which is not healthy for you. Alternatively, the Devil can also represent things like sexuality, co-dependence, self-limiting beliefs and karmic contracts. Always look to the cards around it for clarification or to get a deeper meaning.
Upright
Toxicity, temptation, control, sexuality, obsession, addiction, over-indulgence, materialism, power, manipulation, contracts, feeling stuck, dependency.
Reversed
Breaking free of negative cycles, releasing toxic habits, healing your shadow, letting go of self-limiting beliefs and behaviors, eradicating your fears, independence.
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THE AWAKENED SAGE 