Card 15-The Devil
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
United States
January 19, 2011 8:36pm CST
The Devil is one of the cards in the tarot deck that for most will lead to the conjuration of pictures of the evil devil with the pitch fork. It seems to be the card of choice in almost all “B” grade horror flicks that the gypsy will lay down as a terrible omen to the poor man about to become a werewolf. There is some underlying truth to that depiction, as the card does represent the earth based matters but it is not always a bad omen. It is the god Pan. It is the god Priapus. It is the god Bacchus. All three gods of bounty and reproductive natures. The Devil is a card that represents the true force of nature. In that though do not be misled to think that this card is without its warning. Pan was quite infamous into tricking young maids to frolic with him thus giving up their maiden heads so to speak in one lust filled afternoon.
The Devil is on the path between Tipareth (Beauty) and Hod (Splendour) on the Tree of Life. It is recognizing true beauty instead of being trapped by earthly splendour. It is mastering our own passions instead of being led by those passions.
If the Devil is drawn by itself or in a spread it represents the aspects of earth or this realm. It represents the instincts or basic forces of nature. In the positive this card reflects a desire for material things. It reflects the Querent's understanding of their own needs or wants, and their power to obtain them. In the negative it represents an abuse of power, perhaps even corruption. It represents that the Querent in the given situation has become very self centered and is acting against even nature herself. It could very well be that the Querent is trapped by an illusion or living an illusion.
Questions: What has been your experience with illusion in your life? How did you deal with it and what did you learn from your experience?
3 responses
@p1kef1sh (45681)
•
20 Jan 11
For many years I thought that life is an illusion. The only thing that I knew was that I am here. In fact, despite seeing photos of you and reading your words I only have your word that you actually exist. So perhaps everybody but me are figments of my imagination. How they got there I don't know. But they have taught me to be considerate and to respect the feelings and thoughts of others, even if I don't agree with them. Isn't it strange how the Devil (and devils generally) are invariably male enticing shy young females to their doom? LOL.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
24 Jan 11
Pike-
Well, in reality we can prove to each other we exist by simply getting on Skype or other said video chat. 
I do agree though that there are times that we paint a picture of something in our life and live it as a reality. I think in this case the Portrait of Dorian Grey comes to mind when speaking about illusion.
Namaste-Anora
I do agree though that there are times that we paint a picture of something in our life and live it as a reality. I think in this case the Portrait of Dorian Grey comes to mind when speaking about illusion.
Namaste-Anora@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
25 Jan 11
Hmm. Are you stalking me now Pikey? In all seriousness, I'm always up for a chat with a lively ole Englishman. Email me and I'll be happy to share my Skype addy with you.
Namaste-Anora
In all seriousness, I'm always up for a chat with a lively ole Englishman. Email me and I'll be happy to share my Skype addy with you.
Namaste-Anora
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
27 Jan 11
There have been times that I think that much of life is an illusion. However, then there are things that happen that make me realize that everything that we are doing in our lives is real. Even interacting with people on the internet. That is the thing that seems the most illusionlike to me. But, I've had the opportunity to meet some wonderful people in real life that I'd only known on the computer before and that is proof enough to me that online interaction is not an illusion.
1 person likes this
@Anora_Eldorath (6028)
• United States
28 Jan 11
Dorann-
I think all of this have this in our life at one point or another. I think the focus of the Devil is on our personal illusions. It is those things we tell ourselves to cover up painful truth or something that may require a change. And my guess is we have all done this at some point in our life.
Namaste-Anora
@divineathena (1746)
• United States
21 Jan 11
Hi Anora,
I totally agree with you on the fact that Devil is not such a bad card. I actually sometimes got good message from it while doing readings. The problem is that the Devil highlights the abnormal side of us, something we deny. I see this card as a signal of Christina Aguilera song, Not being myself tonight.
I am usually a realistic person. Yet I have fallen prey to illusion. It is something that we can never get rid of after all. Sometimes it is just that ilusion creates pleasure that we crave for. So we cannot say no to it. But sometimes I managed to avoid it by using will power. Isn't that what Devil card suggests us to use? I guess so.
