Introduction

The Devil is one of the most misunderstood cards in the tarot. It’s rarely about evil, and almost never about external demons. More often, it speaks about the traps we set for ourselves — the attachments, habits, and desires that quietly take our power away.

In readings, the Devil doesn’t come to shame. He comes to reveal. He shines a light on the chains that were never actually locked — the ones we could slip out of anytime, if only we stopped pretending they were stronger than they are.

That’s why this section will go a little deeper than most. The Devil isn’t just about identifying the problem; it’s about reclaiming your freedom, your willpower, and your truth. The exercises below are meant to help you practice how to hold space for difficult emotions, and how to speak honestly without ever judging or condemning your querent.

How these exercises work

You’ll receive fictional client emails — written in the tone and style of the kinds of messages that arrive in a professional reader’s inbox. Alongside each one, I’ll give you a set card or spread to start with.

You can, of course, pull your own cards, add clarifiers, or lay out a Celtic Cross — use these scenarios however you wish. When you’ve written your interpretation, open the spoiler to see my example answer. These aren’t “right” or “wrong” readings — they’re reference points for phrasing, structure, and tone.

Exercise 1

📧 Fictional Client Email — Leah

Hi,

I’m Leah, and I’ve been seeing someone for almost two years. He’s smart, funny, and we have great chemistry… but I can’t shake the feeling that something isn’t right. He gets jealous easily, checks my phone, and says it’s only because he “cares.”

We’ve broken up twice, but I always end up going back. Part of me knows this isn’t healthy, but I also feel like I can’t live without him. I don’t even recognize myself anymore. What do the cards say?

— Leah

🎯 Your Exercise (set card for comparison): Imagine you’ve drawn The Devil.

Exercise 1.2

Now let’s imagine Leah’s reading expands:
The Devil + The Lovers + The Tower.

Exercise 2

📧 Fictional Client Email — Jordan

Hello,

I’ve been working in nightlife for years — bartending, events, promotions — and lately I’ve started drinking more than I’d like to admit. I tell myself it’s just part of the scene, but my body feels different, my mornings are foggy, and my temper’s shorter.

Part of me wants to quit completely. The other part says I’d lose my social life and my edge if I did. I’m torn between wanting control and wanting escape. What do the cards want me to know?

Thanks,
Jordan

🎯 Your Exercise (set card for comparison): Imagine you’ve drawn The Devil.

Exercise 2.2

Now imagine Jordan’s spread expands:
The Devil + The Star + The Nine of Pentacles.

Closing the Devil Exercises

The Devil teaches us that liberation begins with awareness. We can’t change what we refuse to see, but the moment we look honestly at what binds us, the chains start to fall away.

Every time you practice a reading like this, remember: compassion first, judgment never. Your clients will come to you carrying guilt, fear, and longing — your role is to help them see that they are not broken, only human, and that freedom is always possible.

You can reuse these emails as prompts anytime you want. Try one card, three, or a full spread, and let the Devil show you how shadow work and empowerment meet in practice.

If you’d like a personal reading that helps you face your own crossroads with truth and grace, you can book a session at www.empowering-tarot.com. And if this free course has supported your journey, you can contribute via the tip jar in the sidebar (desktop) or footer (mobile).

Thank you for being here — may you always remember that no chain can hold a soul that’s ready to awaken. 🔥