The Devil
Did the devil really make you do that?
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Today we are returning to the exploration of the major arcana of the tarot. To see prior posts, they can be found in the “Tarot Journeys” section of my substack site. In this post we are exploring the Archetype of The Devil. One of the most feared cards in the tarot deck. But do we really need to fear this archetype. What is going on here, let’s find out! Here are my humble musings and meanderings around this.
Preamble
Because of the subject matter I felt a protected space around this post was needed. The sacred elements of air, fire, water and earth generating an orb of beautiful care and love that safeguards all those that come to read this.
And before we completely dive in… this writing is not about good versus evil. What we will be exploring is the archetype of the Devil. Archetypes are primordial patterns that reside within our individual and collective psyche. These underpinnings within our lives shape our dreams, emotions, thoughts and our personality. By bringing these archetypes forward into our awareness, we awaken to deeper meaning and wisdom.
The Devil and Christianity
Since the traditional RWS tarot utilizes many Christian symbols, how does Christianity see the Devil? What are the messages we are receiving, these undertones that have been around for centuries if not millenniums. Doctrine identifies the Devil as a fallen angel, a personification of evil, opposing all that is good. Showing up in various forms to test one’s faith. Whether one believes in the Devil or not, religion has sure capitalized on this figure as a purposeful tool. Using it to induce fear, guilt and shame as a means of controlling the masses.
Fear of God’s condemnation to hell. Fear of the wild untamed and earthly pleasures, which are associated with the Devil. Fear of those that are different, especially ones denigrated by toxic doctrine. Like women, people of color and the LGBTQ+ communities. There is a fear of questioning authority. Taught to not trust one’s own feelings, instincts and urges by the implementation of shame. Guilt as the self-applied punishment for being born unworthy. Where is the love in all of this?
The Devil in the Tarot
In the traditional RWS tarot, Pamela Smith made the Devil as Baphomet, resembling Levi’s drawing from 1854. Baphomet was originally linked to the Knights Templar, Freemasons, Gnostics and Kabbalists. But later became conflated with Satan by Christianity.
Baphomet is a winged chimera, half goat half human with a caduceus in its lap. In Levi’s rendering, he aimed to represent the joining of the opposites. Male and female, human and animal, above and below. With an alchemical word written on each forearm, Solve and Coagula receptively. “Solve” as solvent, to dissolve. “Coagula” as to coagulate and bring together. Above as the element of air diffusing as spirit joining below with the element of earth, weaving into the physical.
The pentacle is important here. Many cultures honored this symbol as one of perfection and truth. The Celtics see it as a sign of the Goddess. Today it’s mostly known as a symbol of protection. Each point representing the four directions and four elements with spirit at the top. On Baphomet we see this symbol on its forehead, pointing upwards.
When we look at Pamela Smith’s drawing, she has inverted the pentagram. Which over time has come to be a symbol of Satan. Yet for many, including myself, the point-down pentagram represents spirit being embodied, bowing down to the earth. Reminding me of the inversion wound. What was once sacred; nature, earth, the cycles, wholeness as this body of life, has been made demonic. What was once considered irreverent; the breaking apart of wholeness into polarities valuing one over another has been raised up as religious.
In Levi’s sketch we see a marriage between opposites. Yet this has become scapegoated by those in power and considered evil. In the RWS card this is emphasized by several changes. Where once were angelic wings, are now those of a vampire. Its horns pointing downwards, its expression one of meanness, confirming its rule over the naked lovers. When we look more closely at this pair though, the chains around their necks are loose and can be easily removed. But they seem resigned to their fate, now adorned with horns and tails like their leader.
What Does this Card Mean?
Receiving The Devil card is an invitation to get real! To examine what is holding you back, such as limiting beliefs, fear, trauma, unhealthy relationships, etc. Break-through becomes possible by first meeting the chains that bind you, being truthful with yourself.
There are many things to consider here, this card is asking you to contemplate your life. To devote yourself to self-inquiry. To break free of the bonds means seeing them first. Ask yourself…
What forces, internal or external, are restraining me from being my true self?
What dysfunctional habits, thoughts and behaviors seem to dominate my life?
Where am I denying my true pleasure because I have been told it’s wrong?
Am I in the throes of lusting after instant gratification at the expense of long-term health and well-being?
Where in my life am I acting co-dependently?
The bigger question is:
Who or what has deceived me into giving my power away, believing I don’t have a choice?
Alternative Images & Meanings
TRICKSTER
Tricksters are outwardly and inwardly enigmatic characters. Unruly ones who revel in breaking taboos and rattling the status quo. They remove our masks, revealing our facades and pretentious nature. They also teach us to laugh. Ushering in humorous perspectives, reminding us not to take life and ourselves so seriously.
The trickster invites you to look at yourself and see what dogmatic thinking you are caught up in. To shine a light on this, maybe even laugh at it. Embrace whatever change is needed. Allow yourself to be both wise and foolish!
PAN
Pan is a nature spirit, later becoming a senior god in the Greek pantheon. Raised by nymphs he was always dancing and playing. Relishing and inhabiting wild places. His temples were caves and forests. An intermediary between our world and higher realms. As a trickster god, he provoked fear and uncertainty, driving people into a PANic. As Christianity arose they made him into a demon because of his goat like looks and free spirit.
Pan invites us to tune into the natural cycles of life, to work with the elemental realm. To have a close relationship with our environment, recognizing both its beauty and its wildness in ourselves. Celebrating it by dancing, playing music and having fun. Blending the joyous and the savage together.
CERNUNNOS
Cernunnos is from the Celtic tradition. Lord of the Forest who is also associated with the underworld. A psychopomp that guides those that have passed on. Mainly, he is guardian to the life-force, our organic primal nature. The beauty and potency of our instincts, intuition, passion and desire. Which are not inherently sinful, but do require discernment to avoid over-indulgence, obsession and excess. In contrast to organized religion that promotes conquering and colonizing of these natures.
Cernunnos asks us to act in responsible ways. To not exploit this power, but to flow with it instead. Creating, enjoying and aligning with life. Recognizing the ecosystem of these bodies we reside in as being part of a bigger network and ecosystem that is this world.
Final Thoughts
“I am quite sure I am more afraid of people who are themselves terrified of the Devil than I am of the Devil himself.” – Teresa of Ávila
Liminality is about bringing opposites together. Not tearing them apart, adhering to one and fearing the other. In this sacred temple of the liminal, we find balance. Being both immanent and transcendent, human and soul, innocent and passionate. Here we recognize that there are no sides to take, there is only the sacred dance of interdependence. Healing does not descend from above, but is found within each heart as love.
Questions for you:
I invite you to consider the questions under the header, “What does this card mean?”
Would love to know your thoughts and feelings. Let’s have a conversation…
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Love, love, love this, Julie! I had never before thought of the point down pentacle as spirit into body, but oh my gosh, yes, that's exactly what it is! It IS the inversion. Wow! You've given me such an incredible insight here. Truly, this gave me chills. The "upside down" pentacle is now my favorite thing ever. Thank you so much for that! ❤️ I see the Devil card exactly as you do. I've always summed it up as an invitation to look at the ways we say no to life.
Dearest Julie,
what a wonderful post...to invite us to look closely at the Devil and to SEE something else, something more.
I hadn't thought of the inversion pentacle as going within before. That is a profound way to look at life. It is reflective in the choice to let go of the chains or to be still bound loosely to something that no longer serves...it is reflective in Pan and the Trickster and what messages are they really trying to say to us and do we really want to hear.
There is something in the original Baphomet that resonated...balance I guess. And it is interesting that I am reading this on the equinox...what do I wish to let go to come into my own inner balance and truth? What do I wish to look deeply into and be held by?
I felt held in your post today Julie, on this liminal day today.
Thank you.