THE DEVIL

The Devil is the polar opposite of the Archangel in Key 14 (Temperance Card). His horns are those of a goat, and his face is a goat’s face; he has bat wings and donkey ears that suggest the obstinacy and stubbornness of materialism.

He sits on a half-cube, which signifies the half-knowledge of what is only the visible, sensory side of reality.
His right hand is upraised, giving the sign of black magic, as opposed to the Hierophant’s, which is raised in blessing.

On the palm is the symbol of Saturn, the planet of limitation and inertia.

In his left hand he holds the smoldering torch of destruction; the inverted pentagram, denoting evil intent, is inscribed above his forehead.

Chained to the half-cube are two nude figures similar to those in Key 6 (The Lovers Card).

The tail of the man represents the wrong use of the signs of the Zodiac; the woman’s tail resembles a bunch of grapes, suggesting the wrong use of the wine of life.

There is no Devil except of man’s own creation, and here it is evident that men are chained by their own wrong choices.
However, the chains about their necks are loose and can be removed at will.

Divinatory Meaning:
Black magic, discontent, depression. Illness. Wrong use of force. Bondage to the material; sensation divorced from understanding.

Reversed:
The beginning of spiritual understanding. Removing the chains of bondage to the material.
Timidity, failure to make decisions. The overcoming of pride and self-interest.

Dascent Deck