The Devil
The Devil card points to powerful, ambiguous forces of desire, indulgence, and bondage that are not inherently evil but can be fearsome and sometimes dangerous. It asks for extreme honesty and assessment of what is actually needed—whether surrender, commitment, or restraint—to determine whether these energies lead to growth and freedom or to addiction and bondage. The card warns of undisciplined behavior, loss of Self, codependency, and being limited by shoulds and doctrines. Reversed, it indicates removed obstacles, controlled energy, emancipation, and a clear direction.
Keywords
Title
The Devil
Keyword
Bondage to Indulgence
Description
The forces in life that genuinely move us forward are not always black and white. They are complex and powered by fearsome and sometimes dangerous energy. The Devil cannot be about evil. It is about the forces of desire, indulgence, and bondage—and natural human qualities that flow in both directions, resulting in either growth and freedom or bondage and addiction. The solution is extreme honesty with yourself and an assessment of what is actually needed. Surrender? Surrender? Commitment? Restraint? The qualities themselves do not enslave us, only we can do that.
Meaning
A choice between indulgence and restraint, a loss of one's sense of Self, undisciplined behavior, a codependent relationship, limited by shoulds and doctrines
Reversal
Removed obstacles, controlled energy, emancipation, a clear direction
Visual Description
At the top of the card the printed title reads 'THE DEVIL XV'. The image shows a shadowy, triangular visage or mask near the upper center, with a dark vertical column descending through the center. Two seated figures in robes and red cloaks sit on opposite sides at the base of the column, their cloaks gathered and fastened at the chest, each looking outward in opposite directions. Stone steps rise beneath them and an X-shaped interplay of light and fabric frames the central darkness.
Fountain tarot
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