The Devil
The Devil represents the inner trickster that lures us into greed, lust, envy, and excess, highlighting abandon and indifference in contrast to restraint. It symbolizes temptation, destruction, and the shadow side of fear and despair that can consume the light. In divinatory terms it points to bondage, addiction, materialism, vanity, dangerous associations, and shallow or purely sexual attractions. Reversed, it indicates breaking addiction, shunning materialism, and the loss of destructive forces' grip; in magickal practice it can be used to overcome negativity when reversed or cautiously for binding when upright.
Keywords
Description
The Devil is the ultimate trickster, that lusty beast within us all that lures us into greed, anger, envy, and other vices with little regard for the effect on one's soul or other consequences. While Temperance represents restraint, moderation, and care, the Devil represents abandon, excess, disregard, and indifference. It is the sense of entitlement we feel when none is due to us. It is fear and despair, the shadow of darkness that eats up the light. Symbolizing temptation as well as destruction, the Devil reminds us that what may seem like a bargain in the moment can easily turn into a nasty deal in the long run. The price of vice is virtue, and it's a hefty toll to wage.
Divinatory Meanings
The spirit is bound by destructive energies; addiction; being chained by materialism or other vices; lust; dangerous associations; intoxication; vanity; bondage in all its forms; a warning against reckless and destructive behavior; a shallow lifestyle; an attraction that is purely sexual.
Reversed
An addiction is broken; materialism is shunned; great caution should be taken; a bad relationship is ending; destructive forces are losing their grip; a change to a healthier and more meaningful lifestyle is needed.
Magickal Uses
Reversed, this card can help overcome addiction, domination, materialism, a shallow physical relationship, or negativity. Upright, it can be used very carefully for protective, positive binding magick, but be clear of your intentions and needs or bad karma will befall you.
Visual Description
A horned, skeletal demon with bat-like wings and a crown of curled horns dominates the upper center, its ribbed torso and multiple snake-like tentacles spilling downwards. One skeletal arm holds a flail with a spiked ball while the other is raised, fingers splayed and clutching a small orb; beneath it a heavy ring and chain bind two humanoid figures. On the left sits a bloated, grotesque male-like figure and on the right a partially nudeb, female-like figure who drinks from a cup; both are chained to the central ring and a small white flower is threaded through the chain near the woman. Flames and a dark rectangular backdrop frame the scene, and the title "15 • Devil" appears on a banner along the bottom.
Modern Spellcasters tarot
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