XV - The Devil

Description:

A goat-headed figure sits with arms raised, looking like a figure from a cubist painting.  The head of the Devil is outlined with a downward pointing pentagram.  Two golden spiral horns are at the top of the pentagram on the Devil’s head.  Behind the Devil’s head is a dark-green upward pointing triangle resting on top of an aqua rectangle.  Above the dark triangle is aura of white and yellow light. 

In the center of the Devil’s forehead is a third eye.  The Devil’s right hand has a white hole in the upraised palm, while the left arm has a yellow bird-like claw grasping a yellow downward-pointing sword.  It appears that the Devil has purple and black bat-like wings. 

Symbology:

The goat head of the Devil is indicative of Capricorn.  The dual nature of the Devil is symbolized by having the right arm of a man and the left arm of a bird.  The hole in the Devil’s right hand shows the hidden connection to the divine within.  The third eye in the middle of its head shows that the Devil can see the inner (often hidden or occult) nature of things.  With this one eye, the Devil can see through to the unity in the opposites.  The Hebrew letter Ayin means “eye”.

The odd colors and shapes of the Devil indicate chaos, multiplication and contradiction.  The Devil represents half-truths and our dark opposite nature.

The chains which bind the woman and man are loose around their shoulders.  They could easily escape from bondage, but have chosen to remain bound to their condition and separateness.  How easy it would be for them to escape and join together, yet they are blinded by their individuality and temporal enchantment with material conditions.

Divinatory Meaning:
(from "Tarot of the Spirit" companion book, by Pamela Eakins)

• The closer you get to your own truth, the more you perceive contradiction

•  The key to understanding is to see things from a new perspective

•  Accept the presence of paradox in your life and you will realize your own truth

•  Celebrate life, laugh, play, dance upon the Earth

•  Enjoy the material, but do not become a slave to it

• Bondage results from too much concentration on material success

• Stay attuned to matters of the heart and spirit

Personal Reflections:

The Devil is known as the Prince of Lies.  Everything he tells you is a lie, which itself is untrue.  Our vision can be obscured by personal filters, the pursuits of individuality and the enchantments of manifestation.  Know that Light has created this path to express itself in and reunite itself through diversity.  Accept and embrace the expression of duality, for the Other is You Two!