The Devil crouches above a man and a woman chained to his pedestal, yet the chains are loose around their necks. He is attachment, temptation, addiction and the shadow: what binds you can be released, if you see it clearly.
The chains of desire, habit and fear that you have agreed to wear.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Ravage, violence, vehemence, extraordinary efforts, force, fatality: what is fated, but not for that reason evil.
Reversed
Reversed, the chains loosen: liberation, breaking free of an addiction or a toxic bond, facing the shadow; or, sometimes, a deeper fall into it.
The chains loosening, release from an old bondage.
Waite’s keywords (1911): Evil fatality, weakness, pettiness, blindness.
In love
Upright Intense passion, obsession, possessiveness or a toxic bond; strong sexual attraction.
Reversed Breaking free from a toxic relationship, or reclaiming your power in love.
In work
Upright A job you feel trapped in, golden chains; temptation to cut corners.
Reversed Freeing yourself from an exploitative job or an unhealthy situation.
In money
Upright Debts, materialism, spending driven by compulsion; money that binds you.
Reversed Freeing yourself from debt; regaining financial control.
At home and in the family
Upright Unhealthy dependencies in the family, control, addiction in the home.
Reversed Breaking an unhealthy family pattern.
On your path
Upright Face your shadow: what you do not see controls you.
Reversed Liberation; you see the chains and choose to remove them.
Its counsel
Upright Name what binds you. The chains are looser than you think.
Reversed You are free now. Do not go back.
Correspondences
- Arcana
- Major Arcana, card 15
- Element
- Earth
- Number
- 15
Dreams that carry this card
The Major Arcana
The Fool · The Magician · The High Priestess · The Empress · The Emperor · The Hierophant · The Lovers · The Chariot · Strength · The Hermit · Wheel of Fortune · Justice · The Hanged Man · Death · Temperance · The Tower · The Star · The Moon · The Sun · Judgement · The World