Devil as Love Outcome (Upright & Reversed) Tarot Card Meaning

The Devil is the card of addiction, sexual desire, codependency, and attachment issues. This card shows two people, a man and a woman, chained to the devil himself. Though it seems like they are being held against their will, look further and you will see that the chains around their neck are quite loose. They have the capability to free themselves if they wish. 

The Devil reminds us that while desire is good, taken to an extreme, it becomes deadly. Addictions (whether to drugs, sex, or love) kill loving relationships. Codependency is dangerous, and we must develop our own individuality in a relationship. The Devil also reminds us that the greatest chains are the ones we set upon ourselves. It is up to us if we want to make a change. Our greatest power is within us. 

Upright Devil as Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Devil, that means that this relationship may have been built on an unhealthy foundation. This could be a relationship that was based on obsession rather than love. You also could have been bound by just lust or limerence. There’s nothing wrong with having sexual desires for someone, but it’s not enough to sustain a long-term connection. One of you could have ‘trapped’ the other into a relationship, such as love bombing or other manipulation tactics. Let go of codependencies and unhealthy attachments.

The Devil as love outcome is a sign of mistaking something else for love. This could be mistaking lust, obsession, or limerence for true love. The Devil is astrologically associated with the business-minded, money-loving Capricorn. This indicates you could be in a relationship that is based on more practical considerations. Think of the “marriages of convenience” of the olden days. They’re a thing of the past. We’re allowed to love for the sake of love now. Don’t allow yourself to be trapped into a situation that keeps you from true happiness.

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Devil as love outcome means your person is addicted to you. The chemistry you have with them is off the charts. The intimacy can be intoxicating. However, in more traditional Tarot decks, the couple in the card are depicted as being chained to the Devil. Make sure that your sexual desire doesn’t become an unhealthy obsession. Codependency could compel one of you to behave irresponsibly. Make sure you’re both on the same page in terms of expectations. If both of you are just in it for a hook up or an FWB situation, that’s great. Have fun. But if you want something serious, make sure you either express what you want, or manage your expectations.

If you are in a new relationship, the Devil as love outcome means your person feels highly attracted to you physically. This could be them just wanting you sexually, or it can also warn aganist a propensity toward obsession. Obsessive love can be flattering at first, until it stops being fun. Sometimes people indulge in an idea of someone rather than get to know who that person is in reality. Ground your relationship. If you find your person is infatuated or attracted to an idea they have of you, don’t play into that fantasy (unless fantasy-play is consciously part of the sexual activities your share). They may fall out of love when they meet the ‘real’ you, but wouldn’t that be for the best?

If you are in an existing relationship, the Devil as love outcome means you feel bound to each other in an unhealthy way. Your person finds you addicting and intoxicating. Perhaps the chemistry is amazing. But there are darker undercurrents present as well. You or your person could have codependent tendencies. There could be something preventing you from expressing your wants and needs in the relationship, perhaps fear? Maybe you’ve “lost yourself” in the relationship and need to rediscover your identity? A relationship should consist of two people who know who they are.

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Devil as love outcome means your person is obsessed. If you’re inquiring about an ex, they can’t stop thinking about you and they want you back. They could resort to stalking you, whether in real life or online. The Devil energy isn’t ideal for a reconciliation as it is an unhealthy need to “own” you. This is not the kind of energy where you can have a constructive conversation about compromise. Likewise, if you’re separated by distance, your person is probably stalking your every move online. They could be constantly wondering what you’re doing every single second. Their obsession is made worsen by their sexual frustration. Maybe rebuilding trust will help, unless your person is determined to not trust you.

Reversed Devil as Love Outcome

If you are asking about what is the outcome of a relationship, and you draw the Devil reversed, that means that the relationship is healing from past unhealthy patterns. Perhaps the relationship started off with one or both of you being obsessed with the other. And now you’re able to relate with each other on healthier terms. Maybe it started with just sex and nothing else, but you’re rediscovering other facets of each other. Alternatively, you both recognize that your connection wasn’t what you thought, and you part ways amicably. At least you had some fun while it lasted.

The Devil reversed as love outcome is a sign of feeling ready to break free from an unhealthy situation. You’re beginning to recognize something here isn’t serving your higher good. Your person may not have been as supportive as they should have been at times. You might be aware that you’re not good for each other, and it’s not your fault. You recognize that you were both toxic for each other. The best thing both of you can do is heal separately, maybe do some shadow work. You’re free now and the future can only look brighter.

If you are wondering about a potential relationship, the Devil reversed as love outcome means a fresh new beginning. One or both of you are breaking free from old habit patterns. You’re determined to start on a clean slate and try over with this new person. You’ve probably just gotten out of a “dark night of the soul” period. Be mindful that your person might just be going through the same thing. You could work together to rebuild better dating and relationship habits. This relationship could potentially be healing for the both of you. Just take it slow and heighten your sense of “Self”, self-awareness, stay centered and grounded.

If you are in a new relationship, the Devil reversed as love outcome means you and/or your person are ready to break free of old, negative patterns. They probably see you in a positive light: a good influence who won’t enable their bad habits. Just remember that we can’t be a savior to another person. That’s not what relationships are all about, although a good relationship brings out the best in both. Alternatively, this could symbolize you recognizing red flags of obsession, oversexualization, or codependency early on. You’re doing the smart thing of walking away before getting in too deep.

If you are in an existing relationship, the Devil reversed as love outcome means positive change and growth. You and your partner are emotionally developing together. There could have been unhealthy dynamics within your relationship in the past. You both recognize that these negative emotional patterns no longer serve you. Both of you are taking steps to make a serious change for the better. Both of you know you can’t indulge or enable these behaviors any longer. You want to be in a supportive, balanced, and healthy relationship.

If you are currently in separation with each other, the Devil reversed as love outcome means freedom from obsessive thinking. If you are separated by distance, your person is pretty chill about being at a distance from you. Your person has learned and understood that obsessive thinking does nothing but harm. They’re still addicted to you, but they’re trying to be more reasonable about the way they love you. If you’re inquiring about an ex, your ex is no longer trapped in their thoughts about you. They have grown and matured since. They acknowledge your relationship triggered an obsession in them, but now they realize how unhealthy that was. Reconciliation may not be in the cards for you. This card advises both of you to find love in a healthier bond. They’ve healed and are feeling more in control of their love life than ever.

Conclusion

For love readings, the Devil reveals the darker side of lust and desire. Chemistry can be a great thing, but taken to an extreme, can become an addiction. No matter how tempting, unhealthy behavioral patterns ultimately do not produce the results that we want. The Devil serves as a warning sign, urging us to identify and bring the issues out of the dark and into broad daylight. With honest communication, we can build a solid foundation for the future.  

If you find yourself needing further clarity in your relationship matters that go beyond reading for yourself, Sibyl offers unlimited tarot readings on love & relationships, as a neutral and objective third party.