XV. - The Devil

The Devil squats on a rock, holding chains that bind a male and female figure. They represent the physical and psychological bonds created by material desires or addictions. The Devil himself symbolizes temptation and indulgence in pleasures. He towers over the people, and his fiery realm testifies to the potential consequences of yielding to base instincts. This card calls us to confront our shadow side and the chains we so willingly wear. The inverted pentagram floating above the Devil's head symbolizes dark forces and black magic. The horns grown on the human figures' heads are the projection of their instinctual nature. The grape bunch symbolizes drunkenness, and the flaming torch represents lust, paralleling the trees in The Lovers card.

General Meaning

Sin, Materialism, Ignorance, Hedonism
The Devil represents the bonds of the material world, suggesting that we recognize and confront the chains of our physical desires and cast them off.

Love

Addiction, Obsession, Unhealthy Attachments
In love, this card can indicate addiction or obsession, signaling the need to address unhealthy attachments.

Career

Ambition, Manipulation, Crossing Ethical Boundaries
Professionally, the Devil points to excessive ambition or manipulation. It also warns of the importance of respecting ethical boundaries.

Reversed Devil

Releasing the Shadow Self, Change in Values
Reversed, the Devil suggests liberation from restrictions, reevaluation of constraining values, confronting and reconciling with our suppressed shadow self.