The Devil Tarot Card: A being with the head and feet of a goat and the wings of a bat sits atop a black box or altar. In its left hand is a torch with fire and his right hand is lifted with an open palm. There is an inverted pentagram at his head. The man and woman in the image are chained to the black box. But the chains are loose around the neck indicating that they are able to choose freedom at any time, should they want. The man’s tail is on fire while the woman’s is made of a grapevine.
The Story of The Devil Tarot Card: The ancient Pagan god of the Europeans, Pan, was half man and half goat. He represents the energy of fertility, freedom, unfettered sexual appetite, and the enjoyment of the physical senses. Pan is free to be drunk on life, to roam, and to celebrate his passions. Pan, like the Greek Prometheus, brings fire to humanity as a gift. The fires of passion, laughter, ferocity, curiosity, celebration, and even lust.
This gift of fire is complex, however. When fire is not directed with wisdom, it becomes the cause of the harm-based world we live in. Causing us to be lost in addiction as well as in the pursuit of pleasure without consideration of our higher selves and the wellbeing of others. On the other hand, it is also the force with which everything good, liberating, and powerful has come into the world. Like a hammer, fire is a tool that we can use to cause harm, or use to build something beautiful. In Greek, the name Prometheus literally means forethought, and it is with forethought and the understanding of the consequences of our actions that we should harness and deeply enjoy the gifts of our inner fire.
The Devil card, rather than indicating a puritan (Christianized) lesson of transcending our ‘lower’ nature, is about integrating it in a healthy way. There is nothing wrong with embracing the pleasures and passions of life (including lust, anger, and hatred when channeled well). In fact, when the animalistic fire within us is channeled well and utilized by the higher self, there is great purpose to it. Our ability to do that is symbolized by the loose chains - we are free to untether ourselves from the black box (symbolizing ignorance and shame) whenever we choose.
The inverted pentagram in this image is another representation of the force of spirit moving downward into matter. Spirit moves downward into the body to meet with the animalistic lust and unrestrained passions of the animalistic human experience. These two forces can evolve together and come into balance in the heart. This merger allows for the fullness of the human experience to take shape without repression or shame.
The man and woman in The Devil are chained to the black altar of shame. Shame is what veils us from our own divinity and higher understanding of ourselves and the world. The bat wings in the image also represent this message and invite us to lift up the shadow self into the light. The bat is a symbol of the journey into the underworld and back out again. As humans, we must journey into the darkness within ourselves (into our darkest lusts, hatreds, and shame) and harness that energy as power that serves our higher purpose.
Association with Capricorn: The Devil tarot card is associated with the sign of Capricorn and represents the binding of our souls to the earth plane. It reminds us that to maintain and sustain creation in the earth plane there is an endless need for labor and action. It also reminds us that the pleasures and thrills of life can easily become enslaving addictions without an awareness of something greater than ourselves.
There is a Buddhist saying, 'Before enlightenment, chop wood and carry water; after enlightenment, chop wood and carry water. It reminds us that even an awakened soul must maintain their physical existence with daily action. That they must commit to their spiritual practice and maintain vigilance against being chained to their animalistic instincts without guidance from their higher wisdom.
When to use The Devil card: When you are ready to unleash yourself from shame, embrace the pleasure and delights of this world as well as the power of your rage in harmony and balance with your higher wisdom, meditate on The Devil card. The power of fire within you becomes devilish when it doesn’t consider others, the environment, and your soul. But balanced with forethought, intelligence, consent, and freedom to explore, the fire of passion within you is nothing to be ashamed of. It is to be celebrated.
Are you ready to journey into the underworld and integrate your shadow? Use The Devil card to help you on that journey. Always remember that there is a constant need for spiritual practice and self-awareness when liberating yourself from shame. Always come back to the guidance of your spirit and act from the merging of the two worlds in your heart.
Altar Cloth / Tapestry details:
~ 100% microfiber Polyester
~ Hemmed edges for extra durability to ensure years of use
~ Advanced tapestry and altar cloth printing techniques guarantee crisp image detail
~ Multiple sizes (26x36 in, 50x60 in, 68x80 in, 88x104 in)
