The Devil Tarot Card

Meanwhile, a winged figure with horned and clawed feet, sits above them holding a fiery torch.

Along with Death, this card generates the most controversy of all those in the Major Arcana.

Which is a pity as there is much wisdom in it, if we can push past the fear and conditioning that such symbolism seems to provoke.

So let’s take it one step at a time while we examine the tarot card meanings for this symbol.

The Devil tarot card is under the influence of Capricorn, which explains the horns on the figure (we’ll be going back to those).

The pentagram at its forehead is actually an ancient symbol of both power and protection. When it is inverted, it relates to the earth as opposed to spirit.

It is true that in this card we are looking at dark and difficult matters, but they are matters of our own making and not some supernatural, malevolent intervention.

The key issues here are control and manipulation.

Looking at the two naked figures, we can easily see that the chains they wear are loose and could be lifted over their head, if they so desired.

So what is it that prompts them to say prisoners?

Is it fear of the unknown, a lack of belief in their own abilities or some kind of addiction?

Any of these conditions can be indicated by the presence of this card in a reading.

The posture of the couple does not suggest terror; there is almost a contentment about them.

Looking more closely we can see that each has a tail and that the winged figure appears to have ignited the man’s tail, while the woman’s tail bears fruit – what are we to make of this?

Well, if you look at the card of The Lovers, you can see in symbolic form, a healthy and loving relationship which is based on positive principles.

Unfortunately, in The Devil, we see the opposite effect.

The tails are reminiscent of Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge, which the couple have made part of themselves. And note their horns too.

They both have knowledge and wisdom (horns originally related to wisdom), but they are choosing to ignore what they know.

The traditional imagery associated with The Devil tarot card is actually descriptive of many pre-Christian deities such as Pan.

Religions can be like relationships – you always put down whatever or whoever came before you!

So in the card of The Devil, we see two people chaining themselves to the past and ignoring what they know to be true, about themselves and perhaps about one another.

And the liberation from that needs to come from within.

Back to the Meanings of Each Tarot Card


Return from the Devil Tarot Card to the Akashic Records