THE DEVIL
From
Armande
I'm going to make this a highly personal account of the devil.
I see the devil as an opportunity to learn big lessons about yourself. They are not the easy ones and not without risk, but well worth the effort. The devil represents what it is hidden, the underworld, the shadowside. Everyone has a shadowside, but most people try to hide it, as if it's not supposed to be there.
My point is that you need it to set things in motion. Light is quite passive of itself, you need the dark to stir things up, to get things moving, to learn from it.
The devil is just another side of being human. Humans have a duality in them: capable of both good and evil. The devil is a one-track-guy: just evil. Just like angles are only good. That is why I have my doubts about the current tendency (in society, new age etc.) to always work towards the light. I like light just as much as everybody else but when the key seems to be avoiding the dark, to strive for the light is useless. We need to acknowledge the dark bit as well, it serves a purpose. Everybody agrees to this in principle, but shuns the matter when it gets too close to home. So when the devil shows up in a reading, I interpret that as dark issues being repressed. There is something you need to bring to the surface. Look the devil in the eye, you can take him on. He doesn't get any scarier when you look at him straight and you can ask him what his point/lesson is. Then you can move on.
In books the lustful side of the devil, temptations are often mentioned: dangerous relationships, sexual escapades etc. Only in rare occassions I fall for this p.o.v.
Curious to other people's opinions about
this...
Brightest blessings,
Armande
From Carissa:
Very
interesting, Armande! I like your
interpretation of the Devil. It's gotten
me thinking on the deeper meanings of
this card.
Okay everybody....WARNING! I'm about to go on a deep thought rampage! You might want to run and take cover!
Like the Death card, this one gets a bad rap. It shouldn't. Most of our problems in life are caused by distorted vision. We work on partial knowledge, using our own guesses (influenced by our OWN agendas and biases) to interpret the acts of others. Our own "reality", then, is different from each other person's reality. Putting everything on the table is usually the easiest way to work through a problem. How often have you had friends having crises or relationship problems, and you know that if you could just get them talking honestly it would all work out? But opening up means letting go of ego, pride, anger, etc. What is the Devil, if not all these trappings? In order to get rid of your "devils," you must first admit they exist. It's painful, so must of us try or hardest not to! In not admitting and overcoming our devils, we become trapped in patterns of thought and action. Bondage....in one of my decks (can't remember which) this is the name for the devil card.
From
Patricia
Carissa,
Thanks for sharing your musings on the
Devil. Some more key words for the Devil
is: it's the original sex, drugs and
rock & roll card.
Love & Light,
Patricia
TOWER
From
Paula
The Tower
I'm using the Universal Waite deck for
this description. The image shows a
sudden thunderbolt striking a tower,
knocking off it's crown and hurling 2
occupants head first in a downward
decent. How many times have we all sat
safely within the narrow confines of our
lives, comfortable in our current
thoughts, beliefs and expectations? Then
out of the blue "something" happens. It
"blows our mind", "knocks our socks off"
or "throws us for a loop". We've all
been "crushed", "rocked", and "blind
sided" by events and people but most
especially ourselves. That sudden
realization that our comfort was based
on an inadequate foundation of thought,
belief and action is a humbling,
frightful, but necessary, experience. A
tower experience is any experience that
shakes the foundation of our current
sense of security and/or forces us to
question our strongly held beliefs,
perceptions, attitudes and behaviors.
We will feel afraid, shaken and
insecure. It is a time of great turmoil
as we seek to understand how we could
have been so wrong, so fooled, so naive,
or so blind. And Oh God, what will we
do, how will we manage?! Often sleepless
nights, depression, grief, anger and
confrontation are normal reactions to
major changes in our tangible and inner
worlds. Divorce, death of a loved one,
financial failure, health problems, a
child leaving home will rock our world
from the tips of our toes to the crown
of our head, affecting us spiritually,
mentally and physically. Sometimes the
Tower appears more simply in the guise
of a remark, an article, or a Tarot
reading, it can be anything that shakes
us to the core of our being and upsets
our comfortable lives.
Soul shaking experiences, though difficult, are necessary for they literally force us to grow beyond our present level by blowing us out of our comfort zones. Once we hit bottom the choice is ours, we can revert to the self defeating, bondage of self (Devil) or reach for the Star. We begin to reach for the Star with the realization that our true security and strength lies within ourselves and our relationship with the God of our own understanding.
We know we will arise stronger, wiser and more serene as we begin to develop qualities we didn't even know we could possess.
The world will continue to bring Tower experiences that can revolutionize our lives if we let them. They are the vehicles which shatter our illusions and bring the revelations necessary for our spiritual growth. Notice, the 21 fire yods falling along with the two upended individuals. Though we can't see them as we plunge downward, are they the seeds of potential that exist within the matrix of time and space waiting to be developed, or are they simply God's grace?
I don't like Tower experiences at all. Yet I'm very grateful for them because I've grown tremendously from the emotional, mental and spiritual chaos they bring. They finally force me to face the real problem in life...me.
Sorry guys, I got carried away. Hope
this wasn't too long.
Paula
aka Isodat
From
Prairie
Paula~
Thanks so much! You are right on with
your lesson on the Tower. I've had too
many Tower experiences, and that free
fall off the top of a very tall
lightning-struck building is just NOT my
idea of fun!!
The sequence of events here is
interesting. First, the Devil shows up,
and if you choose to follow him, then
lightning strikes, and the next thing
you know, you're doing this massive swan
dive. Thank God/dess the Star is waiting
to catch you at the bottom!!
Thank you, Paula!
THE
STAR
From Sunny Rose
Silver
The Star is a hopeful
sign. Many images show an androgyne or a
beautiful woman, either immersed in a
pool or standing or kneeling on the edge
of the pool. The first things I think
about are the Christian baptismal pool
or the Jewish mikvah, both ritual baths
meant to cleanse or renew. Can you put
yourself in the position of the
character on the card? Naked with
nothing to hide, open to the cosmos and
all of its healing force. It is a truly
spiritual moment, a link to the
infinite. If you are ready and open to
receive it. Imagine entering the pool,
the clear beautiful water, that reflects
your soul, bask in the feeling of
clarity. The beautiful stars in the sky
produce a natural spotlight. It is your
time to shine to receive the gift of
healing and spirituality that the
Universe is about to offer up to you.
Whatever you ask the cosmos to heal,
whatever request you may have is at hand
and the true healing is possible.
Refreshed and cleansed, you are ready to
proceed. No more doubts! Take note that
this is a personal moment....the
character is alone. Should the card be
reversed, the meaning would be doubt,
that is doubt of the possibility to
receive this healing energy.
Sunny
Rose
THE MOON
From Mary
Star Wolf
Hello,
Well, I took out my Goddess Tarot deck
and looked at The Moon, which shows the
Goddess Diana in a blue tunic-like
dress, covered by a cape made of a hide.
(like a bear I'm sure she hunted). She
is surrounded by 4 wolves. In the
background, under the cover of aspen
trees, are a deer family, safely
camouflaged. Diana holds and empty bow
and it appears she is moving toward her
kill.
At first I thought, this isn't what I should be looking at for this discussion...I'll get my Witches Tarot deck out and use it...but, as I studied the image, it became clear to me what was actually going on... Her gaze is so intense...I see a woman who knows what she wants and is so confident of her mission, her arrow has nowhere to go but to the heart of her focus. She is protected all around by the wolves, who are also teachers, teaching her how to hunt. She is not distracted by other prey hiding in the trees, because they are not what she is focusing on.
Although, it is only known to her what
she has targeted, we know her aim was
quick and true. I see this as the
meaning of the Moon card. We are asked
to believe what we cannot see to focus
our lives on, but we must be sure that
we have the protection and guidance to
find and travel a definite path we have
been Divinely led to. Our arrows are
true and swift.
Mary
StarWolf
From Armande
Thank
you for this wonderful and personal
interpretation of the Moon, StarWolf.
I loved the way in which you made a
connection between having total trust in
something you cannot see - yet. I think
that is what the moon is about. It is
also about not being afraid to dive into
deep emotions, and to trust that you
will come back up triumphantly. The moon
illuminates the dark and thus helps you
to bring out what has been hidden. So
you can see what you're dealing with and
decide on what to do.
BB,
Armande
THE
SUN
FromArmande
Today
was a very bright and sunny day ("was"
for me: I am in the Netherlands,
Europe), so today is a good day for this
card.
I think the essence of this card is: "Confidence". Life is good, the sun is shining and you're on your way. It is that feeling of getting up on Saturday morning, the whole weekend ahead of you, you open the curtains and the sun shines on your face.
Having struggled through the shadowsides you now know yourself and know where you're heading. And the sun illuminates your path. This card tells you you have reached a new level.
In the Rider deck there is a child on a
horse, this also speaks of being about
to embark on a new journey. The horse is
also somehow connected to the sun as
well. In the Haindl deck there is a rose
in the foreground (a gift) and behind
that is a path. To me it looks like when
you're in a plane and you surface above
the clouds into the full sun. That seems
to be the picture here, a path in the
sun (above), cut out through the clouds.
The Sun is an energetic card, a simple
card as well: no eloborate scheming,
plain and simple is the best option.
When the Sun turns up in a reading, it
indicates a boost forward and the fact
you can trust that work can and will be
done, with relative little effort.
BB,
Armande
From Mary Star
Wolf
Armande,
All I have to say is...whooo! You speak
so eloquently, and I "feel" what is
going on within the Sun as you describe
it (what can I say...it's nearly Beltane
and I'm getting into the energy! This is
my first celebration!)...thank you, for
all your insights. I really "felt" the
Saturday morning metaphor you used.
This kind of thing is going on in my
life at the present time...I am starting
to feel my self awaken from the sun/son
and following my Magical path. I feel
more confident in my own "power" to
shape my reality. I see the Goddesses
love in many of the things I do. Thank
you again for that beautiful
interpretation.
Mary
StarWolf
JUDGEMENT
From
Carie
Hello,
This is Carie
& I am using the Hanson-Roberts deck &
this is the impression that I get from
it:
I see a beautiful winged angel
blowing a trumpet. There is a banner
hanging from the trumpet with a cross on
it. There is a family rising up from the
water below the angel. The woman has her
hands clasped as the father & child
raise their hands to the angel.
To me this may mean reawakening of the person that is concerned. It could also be making up for one's sins for the past & present.
Divinatory Meanings:
Judgement, the need to forgive, rebirth,
improvement, development, & promotion.
Desire for immortality. One should
carefully consider their present actions
as they affect other people.
Reverse
Meanings:
Disappointment, delay,
failure to face the facts.
Procrastination.
From
Prairie
Very good, Carie!! Did
you have a nice birthday? (For those of
you who don't know, doing this card was
Carie's birthday present to herself!)
I think if I had to put a 'key word' on this card, it would have to be KARMA. I think Carie stated it nicely when she said, "making up for one's sins for the past & present......the need to forgive, ...... One should carefully consider their present actions as they affect other people."
Thank you, Carie! Good job!!
THE
WORLD
From Therese
I am using the Shapeshifter Tarot card
"Oneness"
In the center of the circle
representing the world are 4 people of
different races and ages showing that we
are all connected together spiritually
regardless of race or age in life. They
are all shapshifting into their
spiritual forms, showing that they have
reached heightened awareness of the
world around them. Above them is an
outstretched talon of a Hawk, the
ancient symbol of transformation, which
is what we are all struggling to do all
of our lives. At the very top of the
card are several great white feathers
showing our search for truth and
justice. Below everything are the phases
of the moon, as the moon goes thru
various cycles and changes so do we.
This card represents our constant
challenge with evolvement. Throughout
life we are ending and starting new
cycles constantly, children are born,
enter school, graduate and move away and
begin a life on their own. As long as we
are growing and changing we are reaching
an awareness of the world around us.
From Prairie:
Therese
said.....
"we are all connected together
spiritually..... heightened awareness of
the world.... transformation.... search
for truth and justice.... new cycles....
As long as we are growing and changing
we are reaching an awareness of the
world around us."
I think that just about covers it. What more can I add? Just that the World also signifies a completion of a cycle. The work is over. The task is finished. Time to celebrate.
Very good, Therese!!! Thank you for this excellent interpretation.
Isn't the Shapeshifter deck wonderful? Have you seen her Celtic Dragon deck? Wow!!
From
Therese
Thanks, Kitten, I
really enjoyed that card it has soooo
much meaning especially with all the
changes I have been making lately. Kids
graduating, starting college, ending the
1st year of college, me starting college
and starting a new job, etc.... It
really got me thinking.
I want the
Dragon Tarot!! As soon as I have some
extra money (enough money would be
nice!!!)
Therese
Where to go from here
Back to the index
Fool to Lovers
Chariot to Temperance
