15 - The Devil Tarot Card

The Devil is tarot card number 15, although it is the 16th card of the Major Arcana because the 1st of the 22 Major Arcana cards is number 0 (The Fool).

In common with some other cards of the major arcana of the tarot, such as Death, The Devil, and The Tower, The Devil tarot card is sometimes perceived in negative terms. This is not surprising because the word 'devil' does have negative connotations for many people. However, this tarot card carries a valuable specific message for the sitter.

The Devil tarot card represents the ways in which we sometimes imprison ourselves (or 'chain' ourselves) by or own attitudes and desires. This card is therefore concerned with ourselves versus the 'shadow' side of ourselves, and our concious or unconcious self-delusions and self-entrapments. Perhaps because this card is concerned with opposites within ourselves, it often depicts a male and female couple (as, for example, in the Rider Waite and Robin Wood tarot decks).

In some decks The Devil tarot card, that is card number 15 of the major arcana, is known as 'Chains' rather than 'The Devil'. See for example this card in the creative Celtic Dragons deck.

Some words and phrases associated with The Devil tarot card include:

  • Imprisonment
  • Self-delusion
  • Hidden facets (of one's own personality)
  • Bondage
  • Darkness
  • Chaos
More about the Major Arcana

Click here for more Major Arcana cards

Tarot Articles:

Tarot Card Games - for, against and examples

Learning to Read Tarot Cards

20 Steps to reading Tarot Cards

Why use Free Printable Tarot Cards?

List of Tarot Card Meanings

Origins of the Tarot Nouveau - or 'French Tarot'

Learning Tarot

Uses of Tarot Cards

Angels are beings of love, light and wisdom who bring messages and support.

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