Last updated: January 28, 2026
The pairing of The Devil with Three of Wands brings a sense of alignment and flow to your reading, suggesting that different aspects of your situation are working together.
Bondage to material desires, temptation, and the illusion of being trapped. The Devil represents bondage to material desires, addictions, and limiting beliefs that keep you trapped in patterns of suffering. This card often appears when you're caught in cycles of behavior that you know aren't good for you but feel unable to break. The keywords most associated with this card—bondage, temptation, materialism, addiction—give us insight into its core energy.
Expansion of horizons, progress on long-term goals, and opportunities from afar. The Three of Wands represents expansion, progress, and the successful development of your plans. Your initial efforts are beginning to show results, and you can see your goals coming to fruition. This card carries the themes of expansion, foresight, overseas opportunities, progress, which interact meaningfully with The Devil's energy.
The earth energy in this combination brings practical wisdom and real-world applicability to the reading's message. Abstract insights become actionable guidance.
When you encounter The Devil and Three of Wands together, consider what area of your life requires the integration of bondage with expansion. The cards don't appear together randomly—their pairing is meaningful and specific to your question or situation.
This combination often surfaces during times when you're being asked to hold multiple truths simultaneously, finding wisdom in the space where both cards' messages overlap and inform each other.
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In love readings, The Devil with Three of Wands suggests a relationship or romantic situation where energies flow naturally and partners complement each other well.
When these two cards appear together in a love reading, they bring a nuanced message about your romantic life.
The Devil in Love: Unhealthy relationship patterns, codependency, or sexual obsession. This card can indicate being trapped in toxic relationships, unable to leave despite knowing they're harmful
Three of Wands in Love: Long-distance relationships, expanding social circles, or growth in current partnerships. If single, you may meet someone through travel, online, or through expanding your social horizons
Together, The Devil and Three of Wands suggests a relationship or romantic situation where energies flow naturally and partners complement each other well. This combination speaks to the heart of your romantic situation, asking you to consider how these two energies manifest in your love life.
Trust the connection. This combination indicates that love is supported by the universe right now.
Whether you're single and seeking, newly dating, or in a long-term partnership, this card combination offers relevant insight. For singles, consider how these themes might relate to what you're attracting or need to develop before finding love. For those in relationships, reflect on how these energies play out between you and your partner.
The intersection of bondage's energy with expansion's influence creates a specific romantic signature that's meaningful for your situation.
For career and finances, The Devil with Three of Wands indicates a professional environment where your skills, goals, and circumstances align favorably.
In professional matters, this card combination carries specific guidance for your work life and financial decisions.
The Devil at Work: Career bondage, work addiction, or compromising values for money. This card can indicate jobs that drain your soul, workplace environments that bring out your worst qualities, or careers that require you to act against your principles
Three of Wands at Work: International business opportunities, career growth, and expansion of professional network. Your career may involve travel, foreign markets, or working with people from different cultures
The combination of The Devil and Three of Wands indicates a professional environment where your skills, goals, and circumstances align favorably. These cards together paint a picture of your current professional landscape and the opportunities or challenges ahead.
Move forward with confidence. Professional endeavors are supported right now.
Consider how the themes of bondage and expansion apply to your specific work situation. Are there projects that need this combination's energy? Relationships with colleagues that reflect these dynamics? Career decisions that these cards illuminate?
While this combination primarily speaks to career, it also influences financial matters. The harmonious energy suggests stable financial conditions.
Spiritually, The Devil and Three of Wands together invites you into a period of spiritual alignment where inner and outer realities support each other.
On a soul level, this combination speaks to your spiritual path and inner development.
The Devil's Spiritual Wisdom: Spiritual materialism, shadow work needed, or being trapped by false beliefs. This card can indicate using spirituality for ego purposes, being controlled by religious dogma, or spiritual practices that have become compulsive rather than liberating
Three of Wands's Spiritual Wisdom: Spiritual growth through exploration of different traditions and expanding consciousness. You may be drawn to wisdom from distant lands or find teachers who challenge your current understanding
The Devil meeting Three of Wands invites you into a period of spiritual alignment where inner and outer realities support each other. This is not a random pairing—the universe is highlighting specific spiritual themes for your attention.
Given this combination's energy, consider incorporating meditation, gratitude practices, and mindful presence into your spiritual routine.
The intersection of The Devil's wisdom with Three of Wands's teachings creates a unique spiritual lesson. Meditate on both cards together, allowing their combined imagery and symbolism to speak to your soul. What message emerges when you hold both energies simultaneously?
This combination appears when you're ready to integrate bondage with expansion of your spiritual understanding. The growth available now requires honoring both cards' teachings.
When either card appears reversed, the combination's meaning shifts toward internal work and blocked energies.
The Devil Reversed: Breaking free from bondage, overcoming addiction, or recognizing personal freedom.
Three of Wands Reversed: Lack of foresight, delays in progress, or missed opportunities for expansion.
Both Cards Reversed: When both The Devil and Three of Wands appear reversed together, this signals a period of significant internal processing. External action may be premature—focus instead on inner work and self-reflection.
The reversed combination asks: What needs to be unblocked or healed before these cards' upright potential can manifest?
The imagery of The Devil and Three of Wands creates a rich visual dialogue, particularly through their shared symbolism of Torch in Left Hand & Three Wands Planted and Torch in Left Hand & Wand/Staff.
A horned, winged devil-like figure sits on a throne with an inverted pentagram on its forehead. The figure holds a torch in one hand and raises the other in a gesture of false blessing. Two naked figures - a man and woman - are chained to the throne, but their chains are loose enough to remove. They have sprouted horns and tails, showing how base desires have transformed their nature. The entire scene is set against a dark background, suggesting the realm of illusion and spiritual blindness.
Key Symbols: **Horned Devil Figure**: The shadow self and lower nature given form - The aspects of self that we deny or repress, now demanding recognition
**Inverted Pentagram**: Spirit trapped in matter, materialism over spirituality - The reversal of natural spiritual order through materialistic focus
**Bat Wings**: False power and the illusion of freedom in darkness - The appearance of power that actually keeps one bound to lower vibrations
A figure stands with their back to us, looking out over water toward distant mountains. Three wands are planted firmly in the ground beside them. Ships can be seen on the horizon, representing trade, travel, and expanding horizons. The stance suggests confidence in watching plans unfold.
Key Symbols: **Three Wands Planted**: Established foundation - Initial success taking root
When these cards appear together, notice particularly how Torch in Left Hand & Three Wands Planted, Torch in Left Hand & Wand/Staff, Torch in Left Hand & Fire create visual and energetic echoes between the two images. These shared symbols amplify the combination's message.
Shared Symbolic Themes:
The Devil (15) and Three of Wands (3) combine to 18, reducing to 18—the number of power, abundance, and manifestation.
The Devil - Number 15: The number of temptation, materiality, and the choice between light and shadow. The energy that tests spiritual development through material challenges and shadow confrontation
Three of Wands - Number 3: The number of growth, expansion, creativity, and collaboration. The momentum of creation - early success and the multiplication of initial efforts
The combined numerological vibration of 18 brings the energy of power, abundance, and manifestation. This underlying numerical influence colors how these two cards interact, adding a layer of completing and transcendent energy to their combination.
The Devil
The Shadow, The Tempter, The Illusionist
Three of Wands
The Expanding Creator, The Entrepreneur, The One Who Watches Ships
When The Shadow, The Tempter, The Illusionist meets The Expanding Creator, The Entrepreneur, The One Who Watches Ships, these archetypal energies work together in natural alliance, each supporting the other's expression. Consider which archetypal patterns are active in your current situation and how their interaction might be playing out in your life.
The Major Arcana The Devil brings archetypal weight to the everyday energy of Three of Wands.
The Devil's Archetypal Journey: After Temperance's balanced integration, The Devil tests that balance by presenting temptations and illusions. This is where the soul learns to distinguish between real limitations and self-imposed bondage, between authentic power and false control.
Three of Wands's Suit Progression: The Three of Wands marks the first fruits of creative action. Having made a choice in the Two, action has been taken and ships now sail toward distant shores. The figure watches their ventures expand, experiencing the first taste of success while anticipating greater returns.
When Major and Minor Arcana appear together, the Major card often shows the larger life lesson or theme, while the Minor card indicates how that theme is manifesting in your daily experience. The Devil's archetypal energy infuses the practical situation shown by Three of Wands.
Use these questions for journaling or meditation with this combination:
Combined Affirmation
“I recognize my freedom while also embracing the wisdom to embrace expansion.”
Understanding the astrological and elemental energies behind each card reveals deeper layers of meaning in this combination.
Saturn (The Devil) meets Sun (Three of Wands) - this combination blends Saturn's energy of discipline and structure with Sun's influence of vitality and self-expression.
About The Devil and Three of Wands
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