Card Meanings
love
In a love reading, The Devil often signifies toxic relationships, codependency, or obsession. It can point to a dynamic based on jealousy, control, and unhealthy attachment rather than genuine love and mutual respect. One or both partners may feel trapped but unable to leave, bound by fear, sexual obsession, or material security. For singles, this card warns against entering relationships for the wrong reasons or being drawn to partners who trigger your shadow aspects in a destructive way. It's a call to examine your patterns in love and break free from any cycles of unhealthy attachment before seeking a partner. The card can also represent a relationship that is purely physical, lacking emotional or spiritual connection, leaving you feeling empty. It urges you to seek a connection that liberates, not enslaves.
advice
Your freedom is closer than you think. The chains that bind you are of your own making, and you hold the power to remove them. Look at your situation with radical honesty. What beliefs, habits, or relationships are keeping you small and powerless? Acknowledging the truth of your situation is the first step toward liberation. Don't fear your shadow; integrate it. By understanding your deepest fears and desires, you reclaim your power from them.
career
In a career context, The Devil can indicate feeling trapped in a job you despise, but stay in for the money or sense of security. It points to a soul-crushing work environment, a tyrannical boss, or an obsession with career status and material gain at the expense of your well-being. You may feel like a 'slave to the wage.' This card can also warn of unethical business practices or temptations to cut corners for personal gain. It’s a powerful signal that your current professional path is out of alignment with your true self. The Devil encourages you to question what is truly keeping you in this situation. Is it fear of the unknown? A belief that you have no other options? Recognizing these self-imposed limitations is the first step toward finding more fulfilling work.