Tarot Talk: The Devil (XV)
The Wild Unknown Tarot’s Devil Card by Kim Krans
Welcome to another one of my Tarot Talks! Today’s card is typically [irrationally] feared by those outside of the tarot community and the novices within the community alike. Some of the fears surround the strong religious terminology “the devil” and of course typically depicted with a pentagram and horns. Allow me to break these elements down for you:
Pentagrams [a star enclosed in a circle] are representative of each element getting it’s own point of the star (fire, water, earth, air, and spirit) while you can think of the circle around it as the vessel or line of protection. Like how the human body is the vessel for our spirit or how salt circles are used to protect and purify. In most cultures pentagrams share a pretty positive meaning aligning with prosperity (as we see with the pentacles suit in tarot), protection, divinity, domestic blessings, etc.
The devil wasn’t correlated to pentagrams within Christianity until the 19th century meaning this symbol isn’t inherently devious, it simply became a correlation due to the time and [pop]culture. The devil in a religious context boils down to indulgence of vices which is what causes sin. This is what I want people to take note of; Vices can be literally anything. Traditionally the main association of the devil in tarot is addiction. Obviously, addiction is not always about substance abuse. For example, if you struggle with processing your emotions and prefer how objectively clear-cut work feels, you may easily become a workaholic. Running away from all emotional experiences until you work yourself into an early grave. Though great work ethic is something you can be applauded for (especially in a capitalistic society) there is a limit to how much you can have of a ‘good’ thing before it becomes bad. This is the essence of the devil card at work!
What about the horns? Let me tell you a bit about astrology. Saturn (also known as father time) teaches us hard lessons with little concern for whether we enjoy it or not. Saturn is the father figure that will watch you burn your hand after your initial warning to turn down the fire in the kitchen. Not because the energy of Saturn is sadistic, but because Saturn understands that pressure makes diamonds and experience cultivates wisdom. Saturn will not rob you of the pain of an experience because it understands pain is also a catalyst for growth. Whatever Saturn teaches you it will do it without coddling you as it’s promise is to refine you over time (much like wine). Saturn rules over the sign of Capricorn modernly and traditionally. Capricorn’s astro mascot is a mountain goat. This is where the horns/goat imagery comes in! Much like capricorn the mountain goat is about perseverance. They will face hardship along their journey to reach the mountain top but they do not let it deter them. Saturn will gift you mastery if you allow yourself to be humbled but devoted to self mastery if ruled by your vices instead Saturn will show you just how restrictive your life can feel being succumbed to maladaptive habits and mindsets.
In sum the devil is not a card to be feared it is a chance at reflection before your vices get the best of you. It asks you what have you been motivated by? What are your vices and how often are you hiding behind them? What do you have too much of? Where is your self discipline and what have you been the most loyal to? Is it time for any of those things to change? The devil asks the tough questions but it makes you truly look in the mirror in order to put the power back in your hands. As always thanks for tuning in and I would love to hear your own thoughts and interpretations of the devil card. Happy New Years and capricorn season to all!
