In the tarots, the Devil, prince of matter, is presented under the aspect of the Templar Baphomet: head and legs of a goat, female breasts. In his colors, the black of the legs, the green of the hips, the blue of the wings, and the red of the head, he depicts the four elements: earth, water, air, fire, and their spirits (the elementals).
But a firm will can act on the Devil, on instinct, on materiality because the disorder is circumscribed in order and he too is subject to the universal law of the cosmos. The divine flame must overcome the beast that is in us and from this victory an aura, a glory is born. The fifteenth arcane is connected to the Hebrew letter samek in which some recognize the Ouroborus, the snake that bites its own tail, the symbol of eternal becoming.
This blade promises strong sexual attraction, success due to illicit means, animal magnetism, mysterious energies, magical powers; unforeseen events, fatalities, dangers, hazards, physical strength, longevity, protection from disease, and successful delivery. Indicates a favorable situation to be seized on the fly, eloquence, charisma, charm, passion; supernatural experiences, overcoming insurmountable obstacles; audacity, courage, luxury, and wealth. It designates a magnetic individual, endowed with magical powers, an industrialist, a surgeon, a gynecologist, a soldier, a butcher; the lover.
It connects with autumn, Tuesday, the element of air, the planets Mars and Saturn, and the signs of Sagittarius and Capricorn.
In the negative: the Devil announces upheaval, devastation, breach of trust, bad deed, swindle. It indicates a venal love based on sex, vices, passions, temptations, lust; complications, difficulties of all sorts, grave dangers; selfishness, a misstep, an escape from responsibility; evil eye, black magic, tyranny, enemies, slavery or rebellion; ruin, fall; trauma, violence, hatred, jealousy, dependence on others. The Devil signals a crucial period of existence studded with misfortunes and errors, war, combat, killings. He also involves the aggravation of diseases especially kidney, genital, or abdominal; nervous imbalances, insanity, miscarriage, accidents, taking drugs; pathologies of the nose, testicles, sexual organs, fevers, wounds, burns, inflammations.
The advice of the arcane
Don't give in to flattery and don't let yourself be duped. The dangers should not be underestimated.
Pairings
- Next to the Magician: rapid and definitive change.
- Next to the Empress: new emotional relationship.
- Close to Justice: organization, politics.
- Followed by the Hermit and the Popess: researcher, scientist.
- Preceded by Death: treason.
- United with the Tower - dangers, the need to put an end to an untenable situation.
- Followed by the Tower and Death: violence, kidnapping.
- Followed by the Sun: sexual passion.
- Followed by Judgment: dangerous disease.
- Preceded by Judgment: evil will succumb.
- Combined with any arcana of Cups: anger, misunderstandings, betrayals, unbridled sexuality.
- Near a blade of Wands - clashes, differences of opinion, obstacles.
- Accompanied by a card of Pentacles: theft, cheating, bills of exchange in protest.
- Near a sword blade - slander, assault, moral or material injury.
