Misfortune Teller: The Devil

Hello everyone...today we're going to look at one of the worst of the major arcana of the tarot to draw, and one that has almost no positive meanings: The Devil. 

The Devil

Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot

US Games Systems, Inc. 

 

This is truly a card no one wants to see. Some of the possible meanings include:

• Deliberate (chosen) ignorance or xenophobia
• Anything we are chained to by choice that hurts us, including:
• Crappy job
• Any person--romantic or otherwise--who takes advantage of us in any way
• Addiction
• Negative patterns in our lives that we refuse to acknowledge 

Here a few examples of what I'm talking about. This is the controlling, abusive boyfriend, girlfriend, or spouse. This is the boss who never leaves the office and has no life, and expects the same from you. This is the person who is intolerant of people of other races, creeds, religions, or sexual preferences, simply because those people are different from him or her. This is your best friend who "crashes" with you for a few weeks after she leaves her boyfriend, but she also quits her job...and then stays with you rent-free without offering to help with the household expenses. 

 

We all know people like this; the Devil doesn't play favorites. And sometimes the Devil is ourselves, when we don't rise to the occasion and allow our "animal" natures--notice the bottom half of the Devil is furry--to control our lives. 

In a reading, it can often come up in a central location as an obstacle to be overcome. But no matter what form it takes, it's essential for you to understand that the client's choices made this situation. 

 

As gently as you can, it's important for you to tell a client that their choices can also set them free. The chains around the necks of the two people on the card are big enough so they may be easily removed, but it must be a deliberate CHOICE to remove them. 

 

This is a challenging card to receive, but it can be even more difficult if you're the reader. And when something like this comes up, especially if your client is your best friend in a new relationship, you're not going to want to tell that person, "So...looks like this new guy is a major asshole." But you can't leave it alone, either; when you pick up those cards, you tell the truth, or you put them down. 

 

So how do you handle it? Be direct and compassionate. That's the best way to deal with it. Remember how you would feel if you were sitting in that chair. But don't you dare sugarcoat it. 

 

The one positive meaning for me for this card is an astrological one: I often see Capricorn people with this card appearing.