Tarot Tuesday ~ The Devil Tarot

Tarot Tuesday ~ The Devil Tarot

the devil tarot

The “Devil” tends to scare folks. Like “Death”, the card usually provokes an immediate, negative reaction. But, is that totally fair? Is the “Devil’s” appearance in a reading really a harbinger of evil and mayhem?

Not necessarily.

Alone, the card most often represents something or someone that has an unfair degree of control: for example, a person struggling with drug or alcohol addiction. It can also indicate an abusive person or relationship. If the “Devil” is drawn, it’s definitely not a lighthearted matter. However, like all other cards, the “Devil”’s meaning is influenced by the cards around it. These can amplify or lessen the card’s negativity.

In most decks, the “Devil” mirrors the “Lovers” card. Both are generally taken to mean there is a choice at hand. In the case of the “Lovers” the choice can be between two different people. With the “Devil” it is usually the choice of leaving the controlling substance or situation.

In my deck, the Devil towers over two people in chains. They are not chained to him/her, however. (The figure is not distinctly male or female but a combination of the two). They are chained to one another (and possibly to the pedestal the Devil stands on; it’s not clear). They don’t seem particularly upset about  their situation. In fact, they are smiling. Their hands are behind their backs but are not necessarily tied. If you look closely, the impression they leave is that they’re content and able to untie themselves whenever they choose.

The pair are not so much the Devil’s prisoners as minions. The figure’s bat wings, tails and claw feet make a slightly sinister image but the only thing really frightening or evil about the card is the name.

So: what, beyond choice and control, does the “Devil” mean in a reading? Is it always something negative? No. He also represents sexuality, passion, insight and attraction. Depending on his position and the surrounding cards, he can also indicate the positive aspects of taking control of things.

So, if the “Devil” turns up in your cards, don’t despair. Instead, examine your behavior and the people around you. Do you need to let go of some things? Of some substances? Of unhealthy relationships? If you look at the card closely and listen to the message it carries, it could be the one that leads you to the most positive changes of all.

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Author

  • Elizabeth Bissette

    Elizabeth is a psychic reader, medium and energy worker from Nashville, Tennessee. She grew up in the Hoodoo-infused South and inherited natural psychic ability from her Cherokee Great-Grandmother. An authentic Southern Conjure woman, she incorporates direct spirit communication in her readings and magical workings. Elizabeth reads tarot, palms, and tea leaves. These can be done alone or in combination to illustrate different angles of a situation. She also offers mediumship sessions and energy work. A paralegal for over a decade, she has an added layer of insight into legal matters. She also offers uniquely Southern Bone Readings, (divination with bones, stones and curios), egg reading, and egg cleansing to remove bad luck/obstacles or to reverse situations. Her egg cleansings add aroma therapy, sound, chakra, and stone healing to the traditional Hoodoo method. You can add personalized Hoodoo-magic candles, mojos and more to your readings and cleansings with Elizabeth by adding 15 minutes to your session. Elizabeth draws on several areas of unique expertise. A recognized expert in hauntings and spirit communication, her writing and spirit photography is featured in the best-selling ‘Everything Ghost Hunting Book’. A Tarot, Astrology and Mythology writer/editor for several popular websites, she also taught Barne’s and Noble Online’s beginning Tarot class. Elizabeth’s diverse background includes a B.A. in Religious Studies with focus on early (Gnostic) Christianity, delivering academic lectures on the magical concept of the Crossroads in religion and Pop Culture, and field studies in the Santeria/Lucemi tradition. Also a noted Americana/Blues musician, she was called ‘The Female Robert Johnson’ (writer of the immortal Blues song ‘Crossroads’) by ‘Southern Fried Magazine’. Readings with Elizabeth: 15 minutes: $35 in person; $40 by phone 30 minutes: $50 in person; $55 by phone 45 minutes: $65 in person; $70 by phone 60 minutes: $80 in person; $85 by phone Bones or healing work with Elizabeth: 30 minutes: $60 in person 45 minutes: $90 in person 60 minutes: $120 in person

Psychics & Healers
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