The Devil
February 8th, 2009 | 
Author: 
The Devil
This is the sixteenth card in the Major Arcana and is numbered 15.
Divination:
Your dark side may be trying to take over your good side. Do not give in to materialistic decisions that may spoil your life. Give up habits that are doing you harm. There may be an unexpected failure or loss; you may feel frustrated and oppressed.
Keywords: Jealousy, Materialism, Despair, Bondage, Addiction, Hopelessness, Sexuality.
Many decks picture a mediaeval Christian-type devil, complete with horns, hooves, hairy tail, and a pitchfork. Usually at the Devil’s feet are two small, humanlike fingers, one male and one female, with chains around their necks. However, it is important to note that the chains or lose and that the people could easily slip them off, suggesting self-imposed limitations.
The Devil is usually pretty scary looking. The Gilded tarot portrays him as a muscular young man, whose faces half hidden beneath a helmet-mask. In some decks, he has an inverted pentagram over his head or on his brow.
The variety of illustrations implies widely differing opinions of the card’s meaning. Some designers view the Devil as a creature of consummate evil; for others he is a mythical creature. Many psychologically orientated people see the Devil as a symbol of human indulgence, ignorance, egotism, agreed, and irresponsibility.
Interpretation
Superficially, the Devil appears to be one of the more alarming cards of the Major Arcana. However, he does not represent satanic forces with evil intent. He is the Horned god of Pagan Times connected to the fertility rites banned by the Church, which feared the power of Pagan rituals, especially those involving sexual activity.
When they Devil shows I’ve been reading, he is telling the Querent to re-evaluate their relationship to material things, which are keeping them chained. It’s time to look at what ever is limiting your personal growth, especially abusive, obsessive, or harmful relationships. When this card appears in a reading it indicates that one should face their fears about financial security and social and material success.
You need to recognising and knowledge things you don’t like about yourself, your personality, body, behaviour, or temperament. It’s time to let go of old fears, hang-ups, inhibitions, and ways you manipulate others to satisfy your needs instead of taking responsibility for yourself. Often there is a sexual component involved that may have a harmful effect on your whole life. Or there could be a nonsexual relationship that binds you and that must end before you can grow further
Whatever the situation, you are the only one you can change it. The two chained figures on the card represent the material realm. They loose chains indicate you can attain freedom by relinquishing attachment to the things of this world. The Devil is related to the old Pagan god Great Pan, a guard of nature and natural processes of the physical world, including sex. The Greek form of Pan was Dionysus and, who cavorted with satires and in whose honour only in a limited rituals that included a sexual free-for-all were held annually.
Meaning
The Devil represents the bondage that we create and maintain for ourselves. There may be obstacles in the environment that you find frustrating, or you may feel your options are narrowing. Someone else may be involved, but you have the ability to free yourself from the situation by using your willpower.
”Biography: The only Tarot Book you will ever need – S Alexander”
Related posts:
Tags: Addiction, Bondage, Despair, Hopelessness, Jealousy, Major Arcana, Materialism, pagan, Pan, Sexuality, Tarot
