The Devil

In the simplest sense, the Devil indicates that a person does not have the situation in question very well under control and may bring a lot of trouble upon themselves.

The Devil indicates that somewhere, in something, a person has embarked on a path of self-destruction and degradation (or such a prospect is present). It warns that in indulging their weaknesses, the querent is crossing permissible boundaries. Or that there is an abuse of power (any, including erotic), and this is also essentially indulging one's weakness. Or there is a complete submission to someone or dependence on something, and this will lead to nothing good. The Devil points to a suppressive situation, to the fact that some personality or some weakness is acquiring too much power over us, depriving us of freedom and normal self-expression. It can also simply be a bad external influence. In the end, we begin to do exactly what we should not. This is the Devil's main trick – to make a person behave in a manner directly opposite to what brings them good.

Of all the Tarot Arcana, the Devil seems the most difficult to understand because each person has their own. Waite believed that the main manifestation of the Devil is fear; other authors emphasized the arousal of base instincts; others believe it is a dark past on which a person is somehow dependent. Common to all, perhaps, are only the situation of dependence on someone or something, weak will, a shameful failure of good intentions, as well as actions performed contrary to one's own convictions. The dark side of all things, but which ones exactly – will be shown by other cards.

In order not to lose one's way in interpretation (and the Devil has a direct relation to leading astray), one must remember what generally happens when a spread is made. The Tarot is a wise and insightful Friend. By revealing the Devil in a spread, this all-seeing friend warns: the way your mind is acting now leads to the destruction of order, to directing your life in the wrong direction. There is a huge temptation to ignore the rules, to stray from the true path under the influence of temptation, fear, or other pressure. Mainly – to cut old straight roads, not to practice patience and labor, to indulge one's whims. The Devil deviates from Temperance and the matter ends with the Tower. One way or another, this card shows that we are playing with fire. On a deeper level, it means that our question touches, first and foremost, the shadow sides of our personality, or that there is clearly some bad influence present in the situation.

Most often, the Devil signifies a feverish obsession with something (a strong passion that clearly harms work duties, loss of conscience due to passion, temptation of dishonest gains, and the like). Generally, the appearance of the Devil itself can be seen as advice to urgently return to the true path and a warning that by persisting in what this card symbolizes, the person will pay dearly. Sometimes it's already impossible to reverse course (the heroin addiction variant). While there is still a choice – one must run for it without looking back.

"Possession by a minor demon."

And sometimes by a medium or large one – the caliber can be suggested by other Arcana. The person is in the power of some obsessive idea, fear, or other strong emotion affecting them destructively. A stage in spiritual development symbolizing a collision with one's own shadow, with the dark aspects of one's own personality, which secretly control us. This is a trial, during which one can see the most involutionary part of one's nature, which one does not wish to accept or, even if one accepts with open arms, still does not know how to control.

Under the Devil, a person may be obsessed with some evil intentions – to take revenge, kidnap, seduce, or even kill to hell. A VERY characteristic feature of the Devil is that the person generally does not think about future consequences. The world, thinking, and life seem to end for them at the point where this will be realized: here I will seduce, possess, take revenge, decide... and then come what may. Further thinking breaks off because the subtle demon currently thinking for the person will completely "self-actualize" in this goal and fall away, it will no longer need anything from the person, but it will be the person themselves who will have to live on and face the consequences. In the Devil, there is always a strong element of internal weak will (precisely internal, outwardly a person can behave extremely purposefully, and the goal is usually that same "devilish" one). There is self-indulgence, a huge dependency on one's desires, impulses, passions. In the horoscope, they are usually indicated by the position of Lilith – the so-called "weak spot," through which a person tends to degrade, how their corruption, weak will, or unprincipled nature manifests. Lilith can be of different strengths and manifest very differently depending on sign, house, and aspects. The same can be said about the Fifteenth Arcana. For some, it's a shameful fear and trembling knees, and for others – a temptation to sweep everything in their path, leaving no stone unturned, let all others be afraid... For some, it's more connected with cruelty and destruction, and for others with the unrestrained nature of sexual impulses. The Devil equally well instills pathological attraction and pathological avoidance. Some the Devil rather pleases, others rather torments, but in any case, everything has its price. In some cases, the person sees perfectly clearly that this is "horror in the darkness." But as a tempter, the Devil most often appears under an attractive guise. This is precisely the difficulty of fighting and resisting.

In the worst case, the Devil indicates falling into self-destructive slavery to one's ruinous passions, temptations, habits, dependency on them. Hence the element of unprincipledness – promises to get rid of these passions are usually just words. Generally, the morality of a person described by the Devil is extremely dubious, and it is not worth trusting them for one's own good. The Fifteenth Arcana can indicate guilt in illegal actions (and under which article they fall can be suggested by other cards).

The Devil often speaks of slavish sensuality, dependence on one's own comfort, which can manifest both as excessive greed for luxurious things, and as drug addiction, and as obsession with sex, and simply as invincible laziness. Another very frequent manifestation of the Devil's meaning is dependence on another person.

And sometimes the Devil simply spurs one on to do something outrageous, to show off, to experience something "exciting"... or simply to "be like everyone else," not to fall behind this world.

Just as Lilith illuminates the dark or weak side of every Zodiac sign she touches, so the Devil embodies the dark side of other cards (especially those adjacent in a spread): for the Magician it's black magic, for the Hierophant - hypocrisy, greed under the guise of holiness, for the Lovers - a power struggle or the degeneration of partnership into lust without a trace of love, for Justice - corruption or an inability to admit one's own wrong. It embodies the reverse, dark side of the Force, excess as opposed to Temperance, and rules various realms of the Moon. But most of all, it is a dark parody of the Fifth Arcana (Hierophant) – what, in fact, do you worship and serve?

This is the struggle between Supreme good and Supreme evil (and they can look quite non-trivial at this highest level!). Evil is an integral part of both human essence and life in general, and here the choice is made not for order, but for chaos. Individualism, an unwillingness to submit to the world order, a thirst to go one's own way – this is a road that leads nowhere. The figure of the Devil is a symbol of the magical forces of the astral light or the universal mirror, in which divine forces are reflected into an inverse, or lower state. This card is also associated with the concept of astral light as a universal creative principle, astrologically corresponding to Mars (the planet exalted in Capricorn). The inverted pentagram symbolizes the principle of the active descent of spirit into matter, as well as the degradation and death of the spiritual principle in man. The bat wings emphasize its belonging to the nocturnal or shadow sphere, and the animal nature of man is expressed in the forms of masculine and feminine principles chained to the cube upon which the Devil sits. His torch is a false light leading unenlightened souls to their own destruction. They are shackled in loose chains – they could throw them off, but they do not. These "dark lovers" are held by illusions, not real shackles. This, by the way, is a source of hope – the chains can be cast off. One only needs to find the desire to do so. People don't do it because they don't want to. Capricorn is associated with the goat-horned Pan – the ancient god of excess and frenzy; he was not evil, but the sounds of his flute excited people and led to uncontrollable frenzy. Ideally, a person should be able to see the Devil and not be afraid to interact with him (in psychological terms, one should get to know one's shadow). The Devil's main trick is to pretend he does not exist. In the inner world, this looks like a feeling of one's own sinlessness, righteousness, and freedom from everything base, from weaknesses and dependencies. Spiritual mentors of all faiths, including Christianity, have warned against this throughout the ages: do not consider yourself sinless, do not consider yourself strong.

The Fifteenth Arcana often points out the "superman complex," the Luciferian theme of primacy and pride, self-confidence and arrogance. It tempts with "self-realization" in various areas, self-promotion – no matter where or how, just to be noticed, instills a need to get ahead of someone, to win over someone, to prove one's superiority. Sometimes the meaning of excessive socialization, dependence on one's ego, and that ego's dependence on the opinions of others, also comes into play. The Devil is the "prince of this world." And the world largely shackles a person with chains. People become what this very "world" accepts them as, forcing them to struggle for existence in the image and likeness of the jungle.

The ancients taught that there is an order for the world in which all living beings can find their best purpose. Divine law establishes and maintains this order. The Devil seeks to overthrow it. The true path in the Tarot is to approach divine power. At this stage of development, the traveler is already strong and initiated enough to become a valuable servant of the forces of evil. It is at this point that one must choose whether to continue on the path to the ultimate goal or take a different road (which begins here... and ends here). The temptation is very great at this moment – Temperance offers to wait patiently and modestly for tasks to be completed, while the Devil points to a way to achieve the same goal without waiting and without labor. The offer is huge, but the price is even higher. In truth, a person CAN achieve all this without the Devil's help. He is simply interested in a servant and his potential. Looking at the Fifteenth Arcana in a spread, one must remember that the Tarot is a living guide to the world of transformation and growth, and by showing a person the Devil, it tries to help realize the danger or prevent a ruinous mistake. A quick solution to problems and satisfaction is now being offered – without labor, waiting, morality, and so on. It reminds us – impatience will lead to the collapse of all plans and hopes, this is to the advantage of the dark forces of involution. They are not at all interested in a successfully developing free person; they are interested in stopping and ensnaring the hero. For the power or pleasure offered by the Devil, a high price will have to be paid, and personal freedom will be the first. Everything leads to chaos and doom to misfortune, suffering, loneliness, the most unfortunate circumstances reigning in life. Those seeking shortcuts face emptiness and downfall, disaster and self-destruction, even if golden mountains are offered to them now.

Regarding astrological associations, we have found the following material: the number 15 itself (the Fifteenth Arcana) is associated with the full moon, the 15th lunar day. The Moon is the planet of the immortal soul. Dying and being reborn in the sky, it awakens in the human soul the idea of immortality and is associated with the image of the celestial Eye surveying the Earth at night. But at night, everything earthly is immersed in sleep, and the sleepless Eye has no one to share what it has seen with, and it only sees but does not speak. But its sight is sharp and penetrates the darkest corners of matter, knowing all its essence and foundation. Preserving the old at the birth of the new – this is the traditional function of the Moon. And the dense matter where this memory is recorded is ruled by the sign of Capricorn. It can be said that if Sagittarius affirms a new vision of the world, then Capricorn, as its compensation, is tied to the old, to its most rigid and conservative foundations, which is why the Devil card (whose astrological equivalent is the sign of Capricorn) is associated with service to matter, which brings internal (spiritual) emptiness.

Some authors believe that the Devil in a spread is a symbol of a trial, a "challenge," a kind of exam that a person must pass to test their strength and rise to a new level of self and world awareness. Such an exam or trial can be anything – a risky venture, a decision to escalate a conflict, or, indeed, alcohol, drugs, marital infidelity. The trick is that the exam must be passed, one must go through it consciously – and if the card is upright, it will only contribute to growth and freedom from future temptations. If it is reversed, then the person will either fail the exam (chicken out or fail) or will not be able to free themselves from the dependency they have fallen into, at least in the near future.

In its most positive interpretation, the Fifteenth Arcana is Herne, the green deity of nature and the forest, the embodiment of the instinctive and sexual nature of man. Since man learned to deal with unconscious forces, their manifestations began to be considered demonic and dangerous (the church played a significant role here). Herne tames, subdues the instinctive nature, returns to earth and teaches respect for it. Herne is primarily a male deity, ruling male sexuality and the ability to produce offspring. This is a very interesting, though rarely highlighted, side of the Arcana. Herne is the father and god of fatherhood. He embodies the thirst for life and the instincts that have allowed the human race to survive. This includes the sexual instinct, the selfish belief that we are the center of the universe, and the desire to control everything in our own interests. Attempts to prove otherwise and suppress the forces of Herne are self-destructive. Of course, this morality contradicts Christian morality, and Herne's horns became the Devil's horns. It was previously noted that the Devil is a dark parody of the Hierophant. However, one cannot help but notice here that attempts by priests to completely ignore all the imperatives of Herne often turn them into a dark parody of the Devil, and the problem of obsession with temptations in their lives is given such a place that the average European, secretly eyeing Viagra, can only marvel. Herne carries a huge reserve of life energy, which should be enough for everyone's survival. He stands guard over life, not relying on our shaky ideas about its value. The temporary clouding of the minds of children-people by instinctive impulses is provided by father-Herne with great care and foresight. It is not for children to decide – whether the human race will survive from millennium to millennium. This is a serious matter, not a time for scruples. Therefore, instincts, despite any resistance and suppression, declare their existence at a certain time of life and demand to be heard and directed. And according to father-Herne's idea, standing by every cradle, he should not be cursed for this but honored and thanked (the eternal disagreement between Christianity and paganism).

Rarely, the Devil reports that a person must pass a test of strength and ingenuity to achieve heights in their field. But much more often, it is simply a situation where a person "sold their soul" to something and got into a subordination from which they cannot freely escape. This can look very different, and the sphere of action here can be practically any. It can be show business, finance, science, or politics with equal success. There is great dependence on another person, or great pressure. The situation forces one to commit acts that one will sooner or later seriously regret, and perhaps this moment has already arrived.

The Devil speaks of the risk of betraying one's convictions, falling into dependency, being compromised, succumbing to clever manipulation. Impossibility to act at one's own discretion. The Devil rarely describes a situation of open persecution – it usually appears under an attractive guise, outwardly everything can look quite respectable (the film "The Firm" can serve as a good illustration). Involvement in dubious enterprises that may end badly. A tangle of dark machinations, a web of lies and intrigues, problems of violation of professional ethics. This can be falsification of data, collusion, theft, shadow deals, circumvention of subordination, disclosure of confidential information, corruption – in short, "caught red-handed." Often, getting into such a "network" of dubious affairs is followed by merciless exploitation or obsession with further advancement. Therefore, the Devil can be an indicator of a workaholic who forgets about everything else in life.

Engaging in something unseemly – the range of meanings is very wide, it can be black magic, prostitution, fraud of any kind, from courses healing all diseases to the production of political advertising. In the professional sphere, the Devil is closely related to politics and usury. Bad advice. Power struggle.

The Devil can also foretell an unexpected failure in affairs due to someone's machinations or a fatal combination of circumstances.

Unquestionably, attachment, strong attraction, a flare-up of passion. Oh, the Devil – this is a relationship card! But of what kind, that is the question. Usually of the "the devil made me do it" variety.

The Devil often reveals itself to those who are tempted to enter into an extramarital affair or have completely lost their head over someone. Striving and desires are so strong that they completely overshadow the voice of reason, preventing a realistic assessment of the person and situation. The partner – a fatal passion, a true shadow, an indicator of a person's dark side. They tempt (not necessarily consciously) and bring with them a primitive energy that makes one forget everything, lose oneself. Banzhaf and Akron note: "Symbolizing the art of seduction, passion, and charm, the Devil always points out that all these are traps and deception. It warns of the destructive consequences of relationships built on emotional dependency, tyranny, sadomasochism, based on the forces of darkness and a huge fear of oneself." The Devil signifies not only burning temptations but also simply suppression by someone, negative influence – they control, intimidate, destroy the partner's "self," impose their way of thinking. Generally, an indication of unhealthy destructive relationships is almost the most frequent role of the Fifteenth Arcana in spreads! There can be manifestations such as financial dependency, sexual obsession, blackmail, betrayal, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse. The problem of jealousy, control, and manipulation often surfaces. Also typical is the theme of "dishonoring," disgrace. Sexual anomalies, all sorts of "ambiguous charm" also fall under the jurisdiction of the fifteenth Arcana. There can be simply a stormy but extremely short-lived passion, accompanied by a feeling that it would have been better not to enter into this relationship at all. Even providing a couple of intense experiences, the Devil ultimately brings misfortune and suffering. Yes, we can say: it was an experience, it taught me a lot, and yet, looking back at our biography at the end of our days, at best we will wince – this stain on it could very well have been absent. And at worst – we will have a reason for repentance, outstanding in its lateness and hopelessness. The Devil is an indicator of a connection in which a person has strayed very far from their principles, notions of honor and honesty. In the temporary frenzy, they may seem conditional and unnecessary, but later conscience will make itself felt.

Sometimes the Devil indicates karmically inevitable evil, something secret and predetermined. Besides the meaning of temptation and violence against light nature, the Devil (like Lilith astrologically) has a karmic meaning – fate, destiny, doom. This is often forgotten, though it is emphasized in old interpretations. The presence of the Devil in a spread makes circumstances fatal, even if not vicious at the root. Its appearance is a sign of fate looming over the situation. Sometimes the Devil indicates that a deep and passionate connection existing between people was formed in the past, and now a conjunction of karmic prerequisites has occurred. But the foundation of this connection is gloomy, and in the past there were enormous difficulties between them, possibly hatred, violence, unfulfilled promises, fatal oaths, the use of some magical love spells, or something similar. And now these two constantly irritate each other's old wounds.

The Devil noticeably energizes the sphere of instincts. One reason why it is difficult to extricate oneself from the relationships described by the Fifteenth Arcana is the set of intense sexual experiences. Floundering in the whirlpool of passion, a person may be well aware that they are seriously entangled and should get out, but has no idea how. Sometimes the card indicates that the matter was not without magical love spells, and this state of "possession" arose as a result of some manipulations aimed at binding. One partner plays with the other like a cat with a mouse, consciously or not, resorts to cunning tricks to bind, obtain, reclaim, possess, take revenge – the list of "dreams" can be continued. Also, the Devil can indicate a connection in which love and hatred are present simultaneously and in high concentration. There is both uncontrollable attraction and great hostility (and a desire to get rid, and fear of loss, zero freedom... in general, typical manifestations of Lilith). Hence the eternal fight, peace only comes to us in dreams, if there is time for sleep. It is absolutely necessary to bring light into these relationships and free each other a little, because at the moment they are very viscous, tormenting, essentially forceful, with a strong emphasis on themes of power, submission, inability to resist, and inability to stop in time. One should not underestimate the danger emanating from them.

The reaction to the Devil's gifts greatly depends on a person's relationship with the "mirror" Arcana – the Hierophant, that is, on the presence of moral concepts. If they are underdeveloped, a person finds their teacher precisely in the Fifteenth Arcana, sees interest and "happiness" in what is happening and dives in headfirst, sometimes successfully providing a philosophical-psychological basis for all this (which once again confirms the old rule: the Devil is a parody of the Hierophant). If conscience is developed, then what happens under the Devil is unequivocally assessed as a dark period and deprivation of one's own will. The person clearly feels that all this – passion, mania, obsession, instincts – forces them to act against their own will. Identification with the shadow does not occur, and its joyful acceptance does not either. The Devil remains a violator and enslaver.

The Devil can also signify complex feelings associated with the dissolution of a tormenting connection – for example, a divorce, during which relationships are clarified to the limit, exposing all unseemly feelings. One can easily cross all boundaries of decency, no matter how high one's opinion of one's own upbringing.