The Devil
Major Arcana · XV
- attachment
- temptation
- habits
- feeling trapped
- release
- breaking free
- reclaiming power
- facing the shadow
In the picture
A horned, bat-winged creature squats on a black block, raising one hand and holding a lowered torch. A naked man and woman with small horns and tails stand chained to the block, though the chains hang loosely.
Upright meaning
The Devil shows the things that hold us: habits, cravings, unhealthy ties, fears. The chains in the picture are loose, which is the point of the card. It asks you to notice what has a grip on you and to remember that you have more choice than it seems.
Reversed meaning
Reversed, the chains come off. The card can mean breaking a habit, leaving a situation that held you back, or finally seeing a pattern clearly. It can also warn of slipping back, so keep an eye on the old temptation.
About the Major Arcana
The 22 Major Arcana are the trump cards of the deck, numbered 0 to 21 from The Fool to The World. Read in order they tell the story of a journey, and in a reading they tend to point to big themes and turning points rather than day-to-day events.
