Overview
The Devil sits on a black cube, holding aloft a torch in parody of the Magician's wand. Two captive figures stand chained to his pedestal, but the chains around their necks are loose — they could slip free if they chose. The horns of the Devil invoke the goat of the Witches' Sabbath and the pagan gods of fertility that the church demonized. Above his head an inverted pentagram crowns him, signifying matter dominating spirit. The Devil is not an external enemy but the inner judge who convinces you that you are small. His domain includes addiction, attachment, consumerism, and the lie that you are your actions. When this card appears, examine where you have given your power away in exchange for something offered falsely as protection or pleasure. The chains are loose — what keeps you bound is believing you cannot leave.