The Chains We Choose
You are met with an air thick with temptation, indulgence, or something harder to name. Before you stands a horned figure, watching, waiting.
At their feet, two figures remain bound—yet if you look closer, the chains are loose, easy to remove. And yet… they do not. They stay.
The Devil does not steal your freedom. It only asks: What are you willing to surrender to?
So I ask you—where in your life are you giving away your power? What are you clinging to, even as it keeps you stuck?
What is The Devil?
The Devil represents the illusions that bind us—fear, addiction, toxic relationships, material obsessions. It is not some external evil, but the inner temptations and unhealthy patterns we willingly entertain.
It calls attention to the desires and vices that control us and, more importantly, reminds us that we always have a choice.
Symbolism
- The Chains – Self-imposed limitations, addictions, and toxic cycles. They are not locked; they can be removed.
- The Two Figures – Those who have given away their power, trapped in their own patterns.
- The Devil Himself – A force that does not take, but tempts—your own inner shadow, externalized.
- The Torch – The fire of indulgence, destruction, and passion—dangerous when uncontrolled.
- The Dark Setting – The unconscious, the unseen, the aspects of ourselves we prefer to ignore.
Element: Earth
Despite its dark and ominous reputation, The Devil is tied to Earth, the realm of the physical. It speaks to our connection (or over-attachment) to the material world—our desires, vices, and indulgences.
Associated Astrology: Capricorn
Capricorn, ruled by Saturn, is linked to discipline, ambition, and responsibility—but in The Devil’s shadow, it represents control, restriction, and the weight of expectations. This card asks: Are you truly in control, or are you shackled to something without realizing it?
Numerology: 15 (1 + 5 = 6)
The number 15 carries the themes of challenge and personal struggle, while its sum, 6, hints at harmony—attainable only once we recognize and break free from our unhealthy attachments. Because of this, this card is inextricably linked to The Lovers.
“The chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.”
— Warren Buffett
Upright Meanings
The Devil in its upright position calls attention to where you are stuck, trapped, or blinded by desire. This could be an unhealthy relationship, an addiction, or simply a mindset that convinces you that you have no control. It is a reminder that the first step to breaking free is recognizing the illusion for what it is.
General Meaning
A warning against excess, manipulation, or feeling powerless. This card asks you to take an honest look at what (or who) is controlling you and why.
Love
A relationship may be fueled by obsession, codependency, or passion that overrides reason. Are you truly in love, or just entangled?
Career
Feeling trapped in a toxic work environment? Addicted to success or external validation? The Devil may indicate unhealthy attachments in your professional life.
Finances
Spending beyond your means, chasing material wealth at the cost of personal fulfillment, or feeling powerless over financial habits.
Health
Overindulgence, stress-related issues, or neglecting self-care in pursuit of unhealthy coping mechanisms.
Reversed Meanings
Reversed, The Devil signals liberation. It suggests a moment of realization—a chance to step back, reassess, and free yourself from what once held you captive. The spell is breaking, and clarity is returning.
General Meaning
The beginning of detachment, breaking free from limiting beliefs, or overcoming a toxic cycle. A newfound awareness of what is no longer serving you.
Love
Releasing unhealthy attachments in relationships, healing from past patterns, or choosing love that nurtures rather than controls.
Career
A realization that you are no longer defined by your job, your status, or the expectations placed upon you. Seeking healthier professional boundaries.
Finances
Escaping the cycle of material obsession, regaining control over spending, or recognizing that wealth is more than just numbers.
Health
Shedding self-destructive habits, making better choices, or addressing mental/emotional well-being with greater awareness.
What Does The Devil Teach Us?
The Devil is not here to punish or control—it is here to reveal. It asks us to see the places where we have given away our power, and to remind us that we can take it back.
The chains were never locked.
So, what will you set yourself free from today?
