| The sixteenth card in the sequence of the tarot | | | | His left hand holds a flaming torch in such a manner |
| deck is the Devil. It is rather similar to the tarot's | | | | that it points downward toward the earth, |
| version of Death in that it's often completely | | | | suggestive of the effect the powers of the Devil |
| misunderstood. People have a tendency to look for | | | | tend to have on our world. In the foreground of the |
| the ultimate evil outside of themselves, as it's difficult | | | | image are the same Adam and Eve figures we see in |
| for them to face the truth - that evil and malice are | | | | the Lovers card, although this time, they are chained |
| things that live and grow inside the human psyche. It | | | | to the altar of the Devil, symbolizing what happens |
| is only when we realize and learn to accept this truth | | | | when humans let materialism take over their lives. |
| that we can begin to get to a place where it no | | | | When the Devil card makes an appearance in a tarot |
| longer controls our lives and dictates our actions. The | | | | spread, it is typically letting the querent know that he |
| Devil also can be said to represent baser pursuits | | | | is currently in a situation that has robbed him of |
| that have a tendency to eat away at lives, such as | | | | control over his own life in one way or another - |
| obsession with the material world. | | | | most likely through his own mistakes (or possibly his |
| The lesson the Devil teaches us is one of simple | | | | own mistaken perceptions). However, the |
| awareness and human empowerment. Once you | | | | appearance of this card also signals the possible start |
| begin to realize that darkness or the potential to do | | | | of a chain reaction that can lead to no good if it's not |
| evil is a natural part of each and every member of | | | | nipped in the bud sooner rather than later. Poorly |
| the human race, you can then begin to gain mastery | | | | thought out actions lead to loss of control and loss |
| over it. All human beings have the capacity to get | | | | of control in turn leads to insecurity, depression, and |
| the upper hand over evil by tapping into the | | | | further inactivity. Once elements like that set in and |
| complementary goodness that also dwells within us | | | | begin to affect a life, it can be very difficult to turn |
| all. Once you become properly self aware to the | | | | things around. |
| point where you are no longer controlled by the seed | | | | The solution to this dilemma is for the querent to |
| of darkness that inevitably dwells somewhere within | | | | reclaim control over his personal power and identity. |
| your heart, you also gain freedom from fear of being | | | | The Devil and evil can only conquer you if you |
| controlled by other people, as well as other forces | | | | believe they can. This is a call to leave ignorance, |
| that are always at work in the world at large. | | | | indolence, and materialism behind. True happiness and |
| The traditional tarot image attached the Devil is | | | | success results from getting in touch with the spiritual |
| notable right off the bat for the way it both mirrors | | | | being at one's core and realizing that strength comes |
| and mocks two of the previous cards in the | | | | from within... not without. The querent should begin |
| sequence of the tarot - the Hierophant and the | | | | by examining his life for ways he can have more |
| Lovers. In the center of the design of the card is the | | | | faith, wave good-bye to the material, and believe in |
| Devil himself in a pose highly reminiscent of that of | | | | himself more. If he does this, then he might be |
| the Hierophant. However, instead of raising his right | | | | surprised to find out how quickly the Devil runs for |
| hand in blessing, he raises his in the reverse - a curse. | | | | cover and disappears. |