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Difference between revisions of "The Devil (Tarot)"
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Occultwiki (talk | contribs) (Created page with "500px|thumb|Depictions of The Devil card from various Tarot decks. '''The Devil''' is the 15th card in the Major Arcana in most traditional [[Tarot]...") |
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==Depiction== | ==Depiction== | ||
In the eighteenth century this card seems to have been a symbol of animal impudicity, and not directly implying the deity [[Satan]]. Except for a fantastic headdress, the devil is entirely naked; it has bat-like wings, and the hands and feet are represented by the claws of a bird. In the right hand there is a scepter terminating in a sign which has been thought to represent fire. | In the eighteenth century this card seems to have been a symbol of animal impudicity, and not directly implying the deity [[Satan]] or [[the Devil]]. Except for a fantastic headdress, the devil is entirely naked; it has bat-like wings, and the hands and feet are represented by the claws of a bird. In the right hand there is a scepter terminating in a sign which has been thought to represent [[fire (element)|fire]]. | ||
Since 1856 the influence of [[Éliphas Lévi]] and his doctrine of occultism has changed the face of this card, and it now appears as a [[Baphomet]]ic figure with the head of a goat and a great torch between the horns; it is seated instead of erect, and in place of the generative organs there is the Hermetic caduceus. | Since 1856 the influence of [[Éliphas Lévi]] and his doctrine of occultism has changed the face of this card, and it now appears as a [[Baphomet]]ic figure with the head of a goat and a great torch between the horns; it is seated instead of erect, and in place of the generative organs there is the Hermetic caduceus. | ||
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==Alternate names== | ==Alternate names== | ||
[[File:Temptation.jpg|300px|thumb|Temptation from The Hieronymus Bosch Tarot]] | [[File:Temptation.jpg|300px|thumb|Temptation from The Hieronymus Bosch Tarot]] | ||
Some modern [[Tarot]] decks give the 15th [[Major Arcana]] card a different name. [[ | Some modern [[Tarot]] decks give the 15th [[Major Arcana]] card a different name. The [[Hieronymus Bosch Tarot]], by [[Travis McHenry]], for example, calls this card Temptation, and depicts it as the serpent in the Garden of Eden handing Eve a piece of fruit. | ||
==Divinatory meaning== | ==Divinatory meaning== | ||
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The goat-like figure recalls the sign [[Capricorn]] in which astrology teaches that the planet [[Mars]] has its exaltation, the name Devil means evil and this alliteration holds good not only in English. Allusion to sex-problems is found in the two human figures, man and woman, chained to the pedestal on which the diabolic figure is seated. That sex- nature binds man, is a natural fact of a more or less occult order. So it has to do with generation in Nature in every sense and kingdom, though astrology teaches that Mars has a special connection with the animal kingdom and animal passion—passion which drives to the preservation of the body as well as of the race; fighting for existence in both senses of the term. The torch in the hand of the figure denotes, of course, the fire of passion and desire, which may rise to anger and rage. So it may well be said to represent the condition of the struggle for existence. | The goat-like figure recalls the sign [[Capricorn]] in which astrology teaches that the planet [[Mars]] has its exaltation, the name Devil means evil and this alliteration holds good not only in English. Allusion to sex-problems is found in the two human figures, man and woman, chained to the pedestal on which the diabolic figure is seated. That sex- nature binds man, is a natural fact of a more or less occult order. So it has to do with generation in Nature in every sense and kingdom, though astrology teaches that Mars has a special connection with the animal kingdom and animal passion—passion which drives to the preservation of the body as well as of the race; fighting for existence in both senses of the term. The torch in the hand of the figure denotes, of course, the fire of passion and desire, which may rise to anger and rage. So it may well be said to represent the condition of the struggle for existence. | ||
If we place [[The Magician]] by the side of the Devil we shall see that the arms of the two personages are using the same gesture, but in an inverse sense. The Magician points his right hand towards the Universe, his left hand towards God; on the other hand the Devil raises his right hand into the air, while his left points to the earth. Instead of the magic-initiating wand of the Magician, the | If we place [[The Magician]] by the side of the Devil we shall see that the arms of the two personages are using the same gesture, but in an inverse sense. The Magician points his right hand towards the Universe, his left hand towards God; on the other hand the Devil raises his right hand into the air, while his left points to the earth. Instead of the magic-initiating wand of the Magician, the [[demon]] holds the lighted torch, the symbol of [[black magic]] and of destruction. | ||
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[[Category:Major Arcana]] | [[Category:Major Arcana]] | ||
[[Category:Tarot Cards]] | |||