The Devil Tarot Card Meaning Keywords
UPRIGHT: Addiction, restriction, materialism, temptations
REVERSED: Overcoming addiction, release, freedom, independence
- Name of the Card: The Devil
- Number: 15
- Other Names: Le Diable
- Element: Earth
- Kabbalistic Letter: Ayen
- Meaning of the Kabbalistic Letter: Eye
- Sign: Capricorn
- Yes/No key interpretations: No
- Animals: Goat, Ass, Oyster
- Stone: Black Diamond
The Devil is the card number 15 in major arcana. 15 symbolizes both the material and spiritual sides of something. 1+5 makes 6. Six is generally considered a number of harmony and balance. In any traditional tarot deck, The Lovers is card number 6.
The Imagery and Symbolic Meanings of the Devil Tarot Card
In this card, the figure of the devil is seated on a cube-like pedestal, which symbolizes power and authority. His one hand is raised forming a Vulcan salute. This hand sign is done during the performance of the blessing by the Kohanim, who stand at the front of the sanctuary and bless the congregation. The card has a black background that shows evil powers, mystery, and aggression here. This color shows the dark side of the personality. The devil has a reversed pentagram on his head with two points projecting upwards. It is a symbol of disharmony and evil because it overturns the proper order of things and demonstrates the triumph of matter over spirit. It is the goat of lust attacking the heavens with its horns. The devil has goat horns on his head that show his diplomatic yet warrior nature. The bat wings show his ego and they also depict a sense of illusion. The devil figure has eagle claws that again show his power. He has an inverted torch in his hand. An inverted torch is generally a symbol of extinguished life but here we can see that the male figure has taken the fire from this torch. So we may say that here his torch is to burn the lustful desires in people.
There is a round ring inserted in the pedestal where the devil is seated and two chains are extending from it which have enslaved a nude male and a nude female figure. These figures are the same as we have seen in The Lovers card but here they have horns on their heads. These horns symbolize the earthly desires and animal instincts within every human. These two figures have apparently given up to those instincts and have their inner devil showing outside too. They have tails with grapes and a flame at the end. These represent addiction to pleasures, power, and lust.
They are chained but the chains are really loose in their necks. If they desire, they can remove these from their necks but they are enslaved by choice.
Astrology and the Devil
The Devil card has the astrological influence of the zodiac sign of Capricorn. Capricorn is the cardinal earth sign of entrepreneurship and business. Capricorns are ambitious, persistent, practical, successful, and sometimes condescending, unforgiving, and stubborn as well. They care about social standings a lot. Capricorns tend to achieve positions of power and surround themselves with highly successful personalities. Capricorn is the sign where Mars exalts.
The Devil Tarot Card and Kabbalah
In Kabbalah, the path of The Devil connects Tiphareth (beauty, harmony) to Hod (Splendor). The name of the path is Ayen which means Eye. We perceive this world around us through the eye and we also have an inner eye that gives us a greater vision. In Kabbalah, the Devil is not considered an evil entity but a special trial that you should go through to understand the principles of self.
The Devil as a Person
The Devil card represents people who are blinded by worldly desires. They are enslaved to addiction, lust, or greed and they do not realize that this is the devil inside them who pushes them to follow these paths. They say that they are trapped and bound and cannot set them free but they know inside that freedom is in their own hands. These people follow their desires blindly and put the blame on circumstances. Some of these people do not really know they can set their selves free. They are trapped and dependent on someone for the gains that they are getting. They are unhappy but they do not analyze the situation. This card also represents people who are authoritative, controlling, and commanding. These are the people who know how to use others for their own pleasure, gain, and satisfaction of desires. This card shows the dark sides of personality and the rule of materialism and temptations.
The Devil Card Meaning in General Reading
If this card appears in a general reading it means that you are not putting your feet on the ground, instead, you are giving too much power to the people who are bringing your devilish side shine. It may represent that you are longing for material wealth or have impulsive sexual desires. It shows dependency on some drugs and addiction to some medication too. This card also appears in the readings where the querent is indulged in substance abuse. This card also shows the presence of a dominating person in your life who has literally taken control of your life. No matter what situation this card depicts, you need to know that you are the one who can take the initiative to set yourself free. Others have power over you only when you give them this power.
The Devil Tarot Card in a Daily reading
If this card appears in a daily reading, it would be a day to find the Devil in your life. What is stopping you from finding that light? Where are you feeling stuck? Is this demon residing inside you or you are enslaved to the situation that is surrounding you? You shouldn’t feel that anything is beyond your control; instead, you should take control of your life back into your own hands. You should stop feeling hopeless and know today that this bondage that is stopping you is voluntary. Things are in your own control.
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