“Temptation is the fire that brings up the scum of the heart.” –
William Shakespeare

Bondage, temptation, unhealthy attachments, materialism

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Overview

A situation not in your best interest

As terrifying as The Devil appears, he is only the embodiment of evil in some translations. The Devil holds the chains that bind you to the material world. Regrets, guilts, pleasure, addictions. When this card appears, it indicates a situation that is not in you favor.

Symbolism

Black; that’s all that’s in the background of this card. On a black block with an eye hook, a horned creature is perched, hovering over a nude man and woman. The creature has the legs of a bird, thighs of a goat, trunk of a man, bat wings and head of a goat. The sign for Saturn is in the middle of his palm and his hand is open facing front. The other hand faces down with a torch in it. The couple have grown red horns, and tails. The woman has a berry at the end of her tail and the man a flame. They are chained to the eye hook with slack around their neck and chain. They don’t appear in a rush to be anywhere and seem to be in casual conversation.

The creature symbolized in the Waite deck is symbolic of the devil in Christianity, which derives from a God that is seen across polytheism. This god is symbolic of male fertility, wealth, animals, and the underworld. He goes by many names: Osiris, Cernunnos, Pan, Herne, Dionysus.

Meaning

Material Baggage

All that holds us accountable in the material world can be seen in the meaning of The Devil. They are the pleasures we surrender ourselves to at the cost of our own destruction. Sins, temptation, addiction, sexual pursuits, superficiality, psychological and physical warfare. Without caution we’ll walk right into his chains, blinded by whimsical situations.

Something you don’t want to get into

The definition of The Devil is quite simple: A situation that is not in your best interest. Sometimes it seems like this card only shows up when we are already ensnared and starting to feel helpless. There maybe people manipulating a situation; a silver-tongued sociopath, poor management, or corrupt authority.

Look for the exit

If you see the Devil and decide to find an exit, trust the Universe will support you in your decision every step of the way.

Influence on Suites

During a reading, pay attention to the majority of the cards that are present. Depending on the number of Tarot cards of each suite, the meaning of the card can take a different shape.

If Cups dominate a reading with The Devil: You fell in love when in a situation that wasn’t supposed to be that deep. While seeking a body to cure some loneliness, you over stayed your welcome.

If Wands are swarming the spread: The pursuit you are on Is for selfish gain, and your approach should be reconsidered. There could be a crucial structural issue to your plan, or this plan could be built in wrath. Think of everything including the consequences

If Pentacles are Omnipresent in the reading: The job is causing you to feel trapped, maybe due to resources or social status. Consider your material attachments and if they are beneficial to your happiness

If Swords are overwhelming the spread: Chaotic thoughts run the risk of rolling off your tongue. As much as you want the last word, it won’t help the situation. Ignore the situation unless you can find a kinder way to communicate your anxieties without blaming someone else for your shortcomings.

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The Devil Reversed

“Freedom…is the act of releasing ourselves from the bondage of that which keeps us from living the life we were meant to live.”
– Kelli Wilson

Release, freedom, detachment, awareness, broken bonds.

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In the Reversed position, you can turn the meaning of The Devil upside down and inside out, or it can be perceived as something else. Reversed cards can be read a few different ways. If you want to know the source of the concept of why this card is defined the way it is, check out the article “Reading Reversals” in Chapter 6 of this knowledge based.

If you simply want to know the reason and not the method of deciphering, here are some possible ways to read the card in reversed.

Historical Re-cap

If you read any part of the “start” section of this entire chaotic series, you would know that The Devil was one of the reasons that the church banned tarot to begin with. In the very least the banned the card, it’s just not a good look to be encouraging people to seek out a force you’re so heavily opposed to.

Though in my perspective, the Devil reversed is a liberating sight to behold.

Deciphering The Devil reversed

Breaking bonds

The Devil reversed indicates  that you are breaking through something toxic in your life. The devil can be identified as any of the cardinal sins; lust, sloth, envy, pride, wrath, greed or gluttony. In the reversed position, it would mean you are breaking free from the thing that is encouraging you to seek out a better life for yourself.

You could be breaking free form addiction, a toxic relationship frought with envy, a lifestyle that encourage complacency, a friend who encourages you to punch that guy, something you’re proud of beyond measure, etc. This may or may not immediately seem like a benefit to you, but in the end you’ll wonder why you didn’t change sooner.

Seeing through deception

You can’t be fooled anymore, you’ve recognized the patten of someone and they cannot deceive you. The devil in reversed in this sense speaks to you abolishing a cycle of abuse.

If you get too carried away, and take this ego trip to heart the tables may turn. Be wary of going too far with this snubbing of a situation, especially if you’ve felt powerless for sometime. The desire to turn the tables is great and not in your best interest. Don’t let someone elses Karma become you own.

Psychological blocks 

Don’t become trapped in your own mind; the devil reversed indicates a need for mental help.. Much like the tower can symbolize illness, the devil reversed can symbolize that internally, something isn’t peaceful when it comes to your mind.

It shows itself as paranoia, grandiose or depression. In this sense you are creating and holding your own shackles, you are the devil to yourself, as most mental illnesses arise to self destruction, you are your own keeper in this sense.