THE DEVIL

Opposition – Independence
Crime – Deception

A horned old man, grey-skinned, naked and indifferent to obscenity, observes us seriously. He plays enigmatically with three black spheres of ambiguous meaning. His iconography sinks into the most remote taurine, telluric and pan-like mythology. The Devil represents the force of self-determination and opposition: he invites us to reclaim our freedom, even against moral rules, conventions and authorities, to the point of questioning what we consider sacred or untouchable. But freedom without limits can slide into selfishness: when the “I” is placed before the “we”, personal power turns into crime and deceit, and even the noblest intentions can degenerate. The Devil often manifests subtly: in its light aspects, it pushes toward freedom, independence, healthy selfishness and just rebellion. In its shadow aspects, it goes beyond the point of no return, transforming a legitimate desire into injustice and personal assertion into collective harm. Understanding the limit is not always easy: this is where its most subtle and deceptive power resides. The Devil card, which by nature resembles that of the Rebel, is actually distinguished by a nuance that becomes clearer in the shadow aspects: while the out-of-control Rebel generates chaos, the out-of-control Devil generates crime.

Therefore, my dear person, if your subconscious has chosen this card, it may want to tell you that:

If the card speaks about you – Light
You are facing the need to affirm your personal freedom, to live according to your own judgment, even if this means opposing moral rules or authorities. The Devil invites you to use your inner power with courage, responsibility and clarity, without confusing autonomy with arrogance.

Questions for you
– What aspect of your life requires you to rebel against unjust or questionable rules?
– In which areas are you experiencing your independence without compromising others?
– Is there a desire you consider healthy, fair and liberating, but fear expressing?

If the card speaks about you – Shadow
You may be giving in to a subtle deception: self-justification, the conviction that everything is allowed because “it feels right”, or the illusion of power without consequences. The Devil in shadow shows how blind freedom can turn into harm, isolation, or a slide toward something you no longer recognize as your own.

Questions for you
– Are you placing your “I” above the common good?
– In which situations does your independence risk harming yourself or others?
– Is there something you do or believe that, upon closer observation, is not good for others?

If the card speaks about the world – Light
The context around you shows forces that challenge conventions. People or situations may push you to rethink what is “right” and to affirm your autonomy. Not all rebellion is negative: sometimes it is precisely the outer world that offers examples of authentic, courageous and transformative freedom.

Questions for you
– Is there someone around you who inspires you to exercise your freedom?
– Where can you observe healthy, brave and constructive rebellion?
– Who is showing you that it is possible to be independent without destroying others?

If the card speaks about the world – Shadow
The context may be dominated by illusions, manipulations or forms of power that appear strong but are destined to collapse. Others’ freedom, when exercised without limits, turns into arrogance, deceit and crime. The Devil in shadow warns you: not everything that looks powerful is healthy, and not everything that seduces is good.

Questions for you
– Is someone deceiving you?
– Is someone or something pushing you to behave incorrectly?
– Has something truly negative happened? And what can you do about it?