The Devil
Major arcana, number 15
Upright
Attachment and constraint — the chain in the picture is loose, and naming it is already half the work.
Reversed
The binding is loosening — the recognition has begun, so keep going.
| Arcana | Major |
|---|---|
| Number | 15 |
How to read this
- The 22 major arcana speak of the large movements; the 56 minor arcana speak of the specific events inside them. Noticing which one you drew tells you the scale.
- A minor card is read by combining suit and number: the suit says which area of life, the number says which stage within it.
- Reversed is less an opposite than the same force blocked or overdone. Before flipping the meaning, look at where that force is actually going.
- A card is a picture of the present situation, not a fixed future. The same card reads differently depending on what you asked.
Frequently asked questions
Q. What does the tarot card The Devil mean?
Upright: Attachment and constraint — the chain in the picture is loose, and naming it is already half the work.
Q. What does The Devil mean reversed?
The binding is loosening — the recognition has begun, so keep going.
Q. Where does The Devil sit in the deck?
Major arcana, number 15